¿Las actividades económicas realizadas en el Área de Protección Ambiental Barra do Rio Mamanguape impactan en la comunidad de serpientes?

Brazil ranks among the top three countries worldwide in reptile diversity, boasting more than 435 species of snakes. Snakes play a pivotal ecological role in maintaining ecosystem balance and offer potential for the bioprospecting of venom peptides for pharmaceutical applications. Despite their ecological significance, snakes continue to face indiscriminate killing, often due to widespread lack of knowledge about these animals. Consequently, protected areas assume paramount importance in snake conservation efforts, safeguarding both their populations and their habitats. Access restrictions coupled with enhanced fauna and flora protection measures within these areas mitigate adverse interactions between humans and snakes. This study aims to assess the impact of economic activities within the Environmental Protection Area of Barra do Rio Mamanguape, in northeast Brazil, on the snake community. Data documenting roadkill incidents indicate a potential rise in snake-vehicle collisions attributed to increased tourist traffic within the protected area. Additionally, events of snakes preying on domestic animals, such as chickens or small cats, heighten the risk of retaliatory killings by residents attempting to protect their pets. Thus, proactive environmental education initiatives are imperative to foster awareness among both visitors and residents regarding the vital role of snakes within the local ecosystem and the importance of their conservation.