The Dugite (Pseudonaja affinis exilis) is a member of the highly venomous brown snake group that is native to Australia and is in the same family as Cobras and Mambas (Elapidae). Species in the genus Pseudonaja are considered to be amongst the most dangerous snakes in the world – even young snakes are capable of delivering a fatal bite. The name Dugite is an anglicisation of the Noongar Aboriginal names of dukayj and dukitj for this snake. Despite their lethal venom, Dugites are shy snakes and almost never show aggression unless cornered or injured. The Dugite population has increased greatly since European settlement of Western Australia in the late 1820s because of the introduction of house mice and the development of millions of hectares of grain farms. This Dugite was crossing a road in Nairns, south of Perth and entered rough vegetation on a vacant urban lot where it paused, alert, before moving off into cover.