The presence of snakes in croplands: A serious conflict threat to the local farmers in Bertoua municipality, Eastern region, Cameroon

Abstract

Human historical experience with venomous snakes has probably shaped our responses to them. In African continent, where venomous snakes are common, most people consider all snake species to possess deadly venom and should be avoided. However, the focus of this survey was to exam the presence of snakes in Bertoua municipality. The research data collection was done by the use of check-sheets for a period of one month from 7:30am-5:30pm each day at the peripheral zone of the municipality. A random spot observation of 444 snakes was made on 6 species, black cobras (Naja melanoleuca), green mambas (Dendroaspis viridis), vipers (Bitis gabonica), green-tree snakes (Dendrelaphis punctulatus), small brown snakes (Dendrelaphis shokan), and python (Python regius). Ecological factors such as weather condition, vegetation, landscape, location, and day-period were also taken into account. The results of this study revealed that vegetation of the study area and weather condition have an association, χ 2 = 6.789 df=4, P