Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) in the perception of rural and urban students in the municipality of Teutônia, Vale do Taquari (RS, Brazil)

Abstract

Surrounded by the beliefs and myths of people without the knowledge of their morphology, life cycle, eating habits and ecological niches, bats are seen as old rats with wings, animals that lack vision, and blood-feeding vampires. The objective of this study was to evaluate the knowledge of elementary school students in rural and urban public schools on the fauna of bats, as well as to verify the importance of environmental education. Most students in both areas have never learned about bats, which justifies their myths and beliefs related to bats. It is noticeable that most of the students were afraid of bats because they did not know their importance in the environment, presenting false information. Environmental education activities are fundamental because, in both areas, they demystified and ended much of the prejudice generated by this animal order.