Dugite

Dugite
A dugite on a walking path
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Pseudonaja
Species:
P. affinis
Binomial name
Pseudonaja affinis
Günther, 1872
Subspecies
  • Pseudonaja affinis affinis
    Günther, 1872
  • Pseudonaja affinis exilis
    Storr, 1989
  • Pseudonaja affinis tanneri
    (Worrell, 1961)

The dugite (/ˈdjuːɡaɪt/; Pseudonaja affinis) is a species of venomous, potentially lethal snake native to Western Australia, a member of the family Elapidae.

Caution sign for dugite snakes in the coastal dunes near Swanbourne Beach in Swanbourne, Western Australia.

The word dugite is an anglicisation of names for the snake in some dialects of the Nyungar language, including dukayj and dukitj.[2] However, another, probably cognate name, dobitj, has become the common name for dugites in Nyungar (a potential source of confusion, as dobitj is also used in some dialects to refer to other kinds of venomous snakes).

  1. ^ Craig, M.; Gaikhorst, G.; Lloyd, R. (2017). "Pseudonaja affinis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2017: e.T42495843A42495847. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T42495843A42495847.en. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  2. ^ Macquarie Dictionary.