The two faces of Janus, or the dual mode of public attitudes towards snakes.

摘要: Snakes are controversial animals, therefore a better understanding of public attitudes is critical for their effective protection and future survival. The towards snakes 951 adults in Greece were investigated personal interviews. Factor analysis revealed dual mode attitudes: respondents highly intolerant snakes, while they supported conservation at the same time. Respondents had high knowledge about behavior medium biology strongly affected by folklore. Structural models that tolerance was positive mediator conservation. Knowledge snake positively correlated with snakes. Moralistic naturalistic positively, dominionistic negatively, attitudes. Younger, more educated people snake-tolerant than older, less people. Females conservation-oriented males. These findings increased human helped identify factors As such could be used to design environmental education programs incorporating both information-based experiential activities will improve attitudes, behaviors and, eventually, chances survival these uncharismatic animals.