Table 2 Uses and cultural beliefs of amphibians and reptiles identified in the RFPCQ region
Group | Species | Use or cultural belief |
|---|---|---|
Amphibians | Frogs and toads (general) | “The intestines are used to make threads for wounds suture.” |
“By rubbing the frogs, you can cure the varicose vein.” | ||
“Toads cause sores, rash, and allergies. Toad’s urine causes inflammation and skin necrosis.” | ||
“Some people look for good luck numbers on the ventral spots of the frogs.” | ||
“Frogs call the water with their songs.” | ||
Rhinella spp. | “For erysipelas, a living toad is opened and placed on the wound, then the toad is put in the sunlight to dry along with the disease.” | |
“Big toads use poison to kill, two dogs have died because of it.” | ||
Reptiles | Snakes (general) | “You can use the venom as an antibiotic.” |
“People use the body fat as a treatment of vascular diseases and the fading of scars.” | ||
“Snakes cause skin diseases such as sores, rashes, allergies, inflammations, and even skin necrosis.” | ||
“The snake is rubbed into the varicose vein and let go to take the disease away.” | ||
“When you kill a snake, you have to hang up the parts away from each other or they join again.” | ||
Boa constrictor Linnaeus, 1758 | “The skin is used to make belts.” | |
“You can make an ointment and use it for fading scars.” | ||
Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758 | “The ground skin, tail, blood and venom are encapsulated and used to cure cancer and influenza.” | |
“The rattle serves as an amulet, but if you remove the skin of the snake it is unlucky.” | ||
“Using the venom, you can make antibiotics and samples to cure diseases.” | ||
“The rattle is a good luck charm.” | ||
Hemidactylus sp. | “It transmits leprosy and causes burns and skin irritation.” |