Ophidiophobia, myth generation, and human perceptions: Implications for snake conservation in a typical savanna community of northern Ghana

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dc.contributor.authorMusah, Y.
dc.contributor.authorAttuquayefio, D.K.
dc.contributor.authorPobee, A.N.A.
dc.contributor.authorHolbech, L.H.
dc.date.accessioned2022-01-11T15:05:40Z
dc.date.available2022-01-11T15:05:40Z
dc.date.issued2021
dc.descriptionResearch Articleen_US
dc.description.abstractSnakes have fascinated and terrified humans throughout history. Worldwide, innate fear (ophidiophobia), culturally-founded superstition, and myths have caused pervasive snake persecution, snakebite mismanagement, human injuries, and fatalities, particularly in the tropics. We analyzed 20 common snake myths narrated by 934 respondents inhabiting a typical rural savanna community of northern Ghana. The myths summarized perceived, self-assessed knowledge about snakes and were evaluated in their zoo-ecological contexts versus their folkloristic explanatory origins. Only eight snake myths (~40%) had any justifiable scientific basis, partially representing misinterpretations among predominantly male, less-educated respondents. Contrastingly, 70% of the myths were largely rooted in ophidiophobia, representing a major driver of human-wildlife conflict and indiscriminate snake persecution. To promote wildlife-friendly perceptions and behavior toward snakes and their conservation, we recommend innovative gap-bridging conservation education and public awareness that reconciles myths and realities about snakes, thus reducing snakebite incidences, mortality, and widespread persecution and killing of snakes.en_US
dc.identifier.otherhttps://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2021.1952357
dc.identifier.urihttp://ugspace.ug.edu.gh/handle/123456789/37552
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.publisherTaylor & Francis Groupen_US
dc.subjectBeliefsen_US
dc.subjectfolkloreen_US
dc.subjectpsychologyen_US
dc.subjectself-assessed knowledgeen_US
dc.subjectsnake fearen_US
dc.subjectWest Africaen_US
dc.subjectzoo-ecologyen_US
dc.titleOphidiophobia, myth generation, and human perceptions: Implications for snake conservation in a typical savanna community of northern Ghanaen_US
dc.typeArticleen_US

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Department of Animal Biology and Conservation Science (DABCS)