| Dugite | |
|---|---|
| Dugite in Western Australia, Pseudonaja affinis |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Squamata |
| Suborder: | Serpentes |
| Family: | Elapidae |
| Genus: | Pseudonaja |
| Species: | P. affinis |
| Binomial name | |
| Pseudonaja affinis (Günther 1872) |
|
| subspecies | |
Dugite ( /ˈdjuːɡaɪt/) is a common name for the highly venomous snake, Pseudonaja affinis, an Australian species which can inflict a fatal bite.
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Dugites are coloured grey, green or brown. The colours vary widely between individuals and are an unreliable means of identifying species. The most distinguishing characteristic is the shape of the head, this is small compared to the neck, and grades imperceptibly into the body. They can grow up to 2m long.
Members of the genus are found in southern parts of Western Australia and in remote coastal parts of western South Australia. They prefer sandy areas and like most snakes will not normally approach populated areas but may be seen if looking for food and water. In Western Australia they are currently common in bushland areas, but their numbers are diminishing.
Dugites are protected under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and to kill or injure one attracts a fine of up to A$4000.[1]
Like other brown snakes, dugites are diurnal. The female dugite lays 10 to 20 eggs at a time.
Its venom is potentially one of the most lethal in the world, causing coagulopathic and procoagulant effects.[2] Dugites generally avoid biting humans, but risks of encounters rise when they are most active during the mating season through October and November.[3]
The last death attributed to a dugite was in 1993 after an elderly man died in Spearwood, Perth.[3]
In January 2011, a seven year old Perth boy was bitten and temporarily paralyzed after a Dugite crawled into his bedroom and wrapped itself around his arm while he slept. After seeking medical attention quickly, he made a full recovery.
The species was first described by Albert Günther in 1872.[4] It is a member of the genus Pseudonaja, sometimes referred to as Brown snakes, contained by the Elapidae family.[5] The descriptions of three subspecies are currently accepted, they are:[6]