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Drysdalia mastersii

Species of Australian snake From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Drysdalia mastersii, also known commonly as Masters's snake or Masters' snake, is a species of venomous snake in the family Elapidae. The species is endemic to Australia.

Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Squamata
Suborder:Serpentes
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Drysdalia mastersii
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Elapidae
Genus: Drysdalia
Species:
D. mastersii
Binomial name
Drysdalia mastersii
(Krefft, 1866)
Synonyms[2]
  • Hoplocephalus mastersii
    Krefft, 1866
  • Notechis mastersii
    (Kreft, 1866)
  • Denisonia coronoides
    Boulenger, 1896 (partim)
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Etymology

The specific epithet mastersii is in honour of Australian entomologist George Masters who collected specimens for Gerard Krefft.[3]:171 [4]

Description

Drysdalia mastersii grows to an average total length (tail included) of about 40 cm (16 in). The upper body is light brown to dark grey, with a pale band over the nape and a white stripe extending from the upper lip to the neck.[4]

Geographic distribution

The geographic distribution of Drysdalia mastersii extends eastwards from near Esperance in Western Australia into coastal and subcoastal South Australia, as well as into south-eastern South Australia and western Victoria. The type locality is the Flinders Ranges of South Australia.[2]

Habitat

The preferred natural habitats of Drysdalia mastersii are heathland, grassland, and mallee on sandy and limestone soils.[4]

Diet

Drysdalia mastersii preys predominately upon lizards.[4]

Reproduction

Drysdalia mastersii is viviparous, with an average litter size of three.[4]

References

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