Table 7 Reasons for certain attitudes to snakes

1

Snakes have attractive appearance and movement patterns (Attract), some snakes are non-poisonous (NP), prevent environmental pollution absorbing poison from environment (PEP), snakes do not bite until teasing (SUT)

22

34

2

Snake balances natural ecosystem and contribute to food-web (Ecosyst), snakes are farmer’s friends and important component of human beings (SFH), snakes are important component of biodiversity (Biod), snake venoms have medicinal value (Med), snakes are important for education (SIE), PEP

15

23

3

PEP

12

19

4

Pleasing God (“Nag Devata”), revering garland of Cobra worn by God Shiva as a God (God)

4

6

5

Biod, snakes attract tourist (AT)

3

5

6

Imitation (tradition) of worshipping snakes as a God by their predecessors or guardians (IP), ‘PEP’, God, snakes eat prey animals (rats, frogs, insects, etc.) (EP), Biod

3

5

7

PEP, Attract, NP

3

5

8

All snakes are not harmful (ASNH), snakes attract tourist (AT)

2

3

b. Major reasons of ‘I dislike snakes’ (f = 62)

1

I fear snakes’ shape, size, movement, dreams related to snakes, etc. (Fear)

27

44

2

Snake may bite any time, fear bite, it bites (Bite)

10

16

3

Snakes are poisonous (P)

9

15

4

Death after snakebite (DAB)

8

13

5

DAB, snakes are poisonous (P)

2

3

6

Snakes are dangerous animals (Danger)

2

3

7

Some snakes are venomous (SSV)

2

3

8

All snakes are dangerous (or harmful, venomous) (ASD), P

2

3

1

Imitated the practice of worshipping snakes by predecessors/parents (IP)

47

49

2

IP, God, prevention from witchcraft, witch and the Devil (PW), protection (Prot)

18

19

3

God

16

17

4

Prevention from snakebite or worshippig snakes might keep their trouble away (PB)

11

11

5

IP, wishing flourishment in the future (Wf)

4

4

d. Major reasons of ‘I do not worship snakes’ (f = 11)

1

No tradition of worshipping snake “Nag” in “Nagpanchami” (e.g., some Tharus) (NT)

7

64

2

Snakes do not lose natural potentiality of envenoming despite worshipping it (“Gadha dhoyara gai hudaina” i.e. black stone never turns white) (DNP)

2

18

3

It is duty of pandit (“Brahman” who is invited to worship serpent god) (DP)

2

18

e. Major reasons of snake killing attitudes (f = 29)

1

Kill venomous snakes only (KVO) because they are dangerous

9

31

2

Snake may bite any time, I fear from bite, it bites (Bite)

8

28

3

I fear from snakes’ shape, size, movement, dreams related to snakes, etc. (Fear)

7

24

4

Snakes are poisonous (P)

2

7

5

Snakes encountered might harm or disturb people (SEH)

2

7

6

Death after bite (DAB)

1

3

f. Major reasons of ‘I do not kill any snakes’ (f = 81)

1

I fear to kill/see snake, snake can chase (run) man (FK)

38

47

2

Neglecting encountered snakes without reasons (Ignore)

17

21

3

All snakes are not harmful (ASNH)

14

17

4

Snakes are symbol or representative of God (God)

4

5

5

Snakes do not bite until teasing them (SUT)

4

5

6

Snake does not attack (I do not kill snake until it attacks) (DA)

2

2

7

Snakes balance natural ecosystem and contribute to food-webs (Ecosyst)

2

2

g. Major reasons of regarding snakes as friends of farmers (f = 60)

1

Eats prey animals (e.g., rodents, insects, etc.) (EP)

50

83

2

EP, prevent environmental pollution absorbing poisonous gases (PEP)

6

10

3

EP, Snakes balance natural ecosystem and contribute to food-webs (Ecosyst)

4

7