2005 Q & A

July 6–8, 2005

Q. A 5th grader from Durham county asks, "What is the most dangerous reptile species in Ecuador?"

A. There are many venomous snakes in Ecuador, including the Bushmaster (Lachesis muta), the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake (Pelamis platurus), and some 17 species of coral snake. But our vote for most dangerous goes to the two largest species of lanceheads (Fer-de-lance) , Bothrops asper and Bothrops atrox. Both of these snakes are fairly large, fairly common (abundant in some areas), relatively short-tempered, and have potentially very dangerous venom that includes some neurotoxins. Lanceheads in general (the many species are very similar) have probably caused more deaths, and more painful bites, in Central and South America than any other group of snakes.

Q. A 12th grader in Cleveland County asks: "If tree ferns in Ecuador and Black Walnut trees in NC kill plants around them, do they provide any benefits to the environment or population?"

A. In Ecuador, tree ferns provide habitat and food for animals, help with the acidity level of the soil in some areas and help prevent erosion on windy highland slopes. In North Carolina, the black walnut provides food for people and animals and is used to make furniture and dyes. Native Americans took advantage of its toxicity in fishing. They would get a bag of nuts and throw it in the river and wait to harvest fish that floated to the surface. In addition to providing habitat for animals, the black walnut is not invasive and does not out-compete other species.

Q. A 5th grader in Wake County asks: "What kind of candy do the children eat?"

A. The children in Ecuador eat chocolate, melcocha, (a sugar cane product similar to gum), and panela (a brown, hard ball made from sugar cane). In addition, they chew raw sugar cane pieces and suck out the sweet juice. We enjoyed this treat at Nuevo Mundo.

Q. A 5th grader in Wake County asks: "What games do they play when they have free time?"

A. We have seen children playing marbles, tag, volleyball and futbol (our soccer). Children also play rayuela, a game like our hopscotch, and another game like our 7-up.

Q. A Lincoln County high school teacher asks: "How many Ecuadorian families have received alpacas through Heifer and what are the uses of these animals? And, a 5th grader in Wake County adds: How is the alpaca herd helping the economy?"

A. In the first year of the project, an Italian NGO gave 12 alpacas to the community of 126 families. In the following year, Heifer International added 34 more alpacas to the herd. Since then, the herd has been sustainable and includes about 70 alpacas. They are used to protect the paramo since their manner of grazing does not destroy the land. They are valued for their wool and for rural tourism. Restoring the paramo is of economic interest, because healthy paramo retains and replenishes water, which people need to live.

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