| Drysdalia mastersii | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| 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] | |
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.
The specific epithet mastersii is in honour of Australian entomologist George Masters who collected specimens for Gerard Krefft. [3] : 171 [4]
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]
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]
The preferred natural habitats of Drysdalia mastersii are heathland, grassland, and mallee on sandy and limestone soils. [4]
Drysdalia mastersii is viviparous, with an average litter size of three. [4]
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