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DUGITE FACTS |
Description
The Dugite is a highly venomous snake. The adult usually olive green to brown, often with dark spots or flecks. The abdomen may also be dark, unlike that of other brown snakes.
Size
up to 2m long
Habitat
prefer sandy areas and like most snakes will not normally approach populated areas
Food
small mammals
Breeding
Lays 10 - 20 eggs. Hatchlings are 15-35 cm in length and can be brown, green or yellowish in colour, but always hatch with at least part of the head black.
Range
southern parts of Western Australia and in remote coastal parts of eastern South Australia
Credits:
Map is from Atlas of Living Australia website at https://biocache.ala.org.au licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 License.
Notes
The Dugite is a dangerous snake. The venom is neurotoxic although the dugite rarely envenoms when biting people. Most people seen in hospital after an attack do not require anti-venom treatment. Dugites will avoid people when they can, but will attack if surprised, particularly during mating period. Venomous bite symptoms include abdominal pain, breathing and swallowing difficulty, convulsions, hypotension, kidney failure. Can be fatal if no anti-venom treatment.
Classification
| Class: | Reptilia | | Order: | Squamata (Serpentes) | | Family: | Elapidae | | Genus: | Pseudonaja | | Species: | affinis | | Common Name: | Dugite |
Relatives in same Genus
Western Brown snake (P. nuchalis)
Eastern Brown Snake (P. textilis)
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