Students' familiarity and initial contact with species in the Monte desert (Mendoza, Argentina)

► In the Monte of Argentina, we studied which species children are familiar with. ► We analysed how social variables affect familiarity and initial contact with species. ► Results show that children's familiarity was mostly with exotic animals and plants. ► Place of residence alone had no important effect on familiarity and initial contact. ► Sex can explain differences by differences in roles and in activity preferences.