Negative and Extrapositive Attitudes Towards Cold-Blooded Tetrapods Among Students of the Secondary Education Course: Ethical and Normative Aspects

The present study represents an empirical research, the purpose of which was to investigate the attitudes towards the species of the Suborder Snakes (Serpentes) and of the Order Turtles (Testudines) among adolescents. We aimed to determining the risks regarding the conservation of herpetophauna. Questionnaires were constructed, adequate to the learning objectives of the subject "Biology and health education" in the respective classes. Students from the seventh, ninth and eleventh grades in two of the schools in the city of Shumen (NE Bulgaria) were surveyed. The total number of respondents was 426, of which 198 were for attitudes towards snakes and 228 were for attitudes towards turtles. The results of the present study showed the problems in the field of protecting of the biological diversity of snakes and turtles in Bulgaria. The attitude toward snakes was clarly negative and that to tortoises was extra positive. A very low level of environmental culture was detected. The vast majority of the recipients insisted on in depth revision of the education plans in Biology. Unfortunately, the analysis of the textbooks content used for the education of the recipients, indicated on insufficient and improper selection of information concerning the reptiles. Since once established, attitudes are difficult to change, the main target group of education efforts must be concentrated on the secondary course students.