Snakebites were registered in 10 riverside communities of the lower Purus River through interviews with the victims. Local inhabitants answered questions about their perception on ecological aspects of snakes species involved in snakebites. Snake size and bite height on the victim body were estimated with measuring tape. Correspondence of local names and scientific species were obtained by using descriptions and images of the snakes. Additional data on the number of families with snakebites victims were obtained from social-economic surveys for other 17 communities in the Piagaçu Purus Reserve. Eighteen people and 28 snakebites events were registered in five communities. The number of victims per community was not related to population's size. The number of families with victims was higher in larger communities (r²= 0.444; p= 0.003). Approximately 88% of snakebites were inflicted on the lower limbs of the victims. There was no relationship between estimated snake's size and the height of the bite. Most snakebites occurred at daytime (82.14%), and during the high rive period (64.28%) that coincides with the extraction of brazil nut and timber by the local people when they spend more time in the forest. Only one death due to snakebite was registered. The species Bothrops atrox was responsible for most of the accidents in the region. Snake's identification by local people revealed various synonymies, with 20 local names attributed to 33 species. In their perception, B. atrox and Lachesis muta were the most dangerous species and differ in attack behavior.
Serpentes; snakebite; environmental perception; Purus River; Amazon
