Woma Pythons- Aspidites Ramsay

[Jazz1]

Woma Python

General Knowledge

The Woma is a relatively large robust python with a narrow,somewhat pointed head which is broader then the neck. Like the Black headed python, it lacks heat sensing pits on its lips.The head and the body range from pale yellow through yellowish reddish brown to pale olive. The body has numerous irregular dark or reddish brown stripes of varying width. In some snakes these bands join together on the dorsal surface to form a darker vertabrle area. Juveniles are paler then adults, with a more contrasting pattern and in older snakes the pattern becomes extremely obscure, sometimes to the point of being entirely absent. Womas inhabit the least populated parts of Australia and relatively little is known about there natural history. They are nocturnal although they are observed during the day and they are largely if not wholly terrestrial.

Location

It is often found in wide range of habitats. Lightly forested, rain forests,open grass lands and in rocky areas. They usually hide under or in logs, rocks, in burrows and holes in the ground. Availability of water doesn't seem to make much difference. Found in Queensland from Cape York peninsular in the north to south of Townsville, through out Western Queensland and south of Mt Isa in Central Queensland. Usually easy to find west of the great dividing range. They have been find right in suburbs of Cairns Northern Territory-from central through to the northern tip of the state. Western Australia- from the Pilbra area north to Port Headland.

Feeding and Temperament

Once they start feeding on a regular basis they will eat all what is offered rats, mice, rabbits, chickens, ducks and quails. Woma Pythons in the wild will eat a wide range of reptiles including venomous snakes. They can overeat if amount of food is not controlled and easy get overweight. They can have bad temper as Hatchings but settle down with age. They are usually reluctant to bite. They usually just head butt with open mouth. Sometimes they hiss when approached and put performance, but mostly it is just bluff. Once handled they calm down and are great handlers. I have a adult and I had purchased a hatchling. Neither of them have ever shown a bit of aggression, so I have yet to see this bad side of Woma's. They are popular snakes but bit expensive to purchase. Hatchings are usually around 20-24 inches long and adults grow usually bit over 8 feet.

Basic Care

It is not advisory to house other species in same enclosure as Aspidites Ramsay they will readily eat other reptiles in wild. I would recommend not to try combining them. They do need large floor space, but no climbing is needed, I have never observed one of my Woma's climbing. Make sure that they have enough hiding places. Temperature in enclosure high around 88F-90 high -80 cool time at night has been said, I usually run mine between the 88-90 all the time. I use a water bowl in my enclosures though I've heard of not providing one, and soaking them once every so many days. I provide clean water daily. If you use a water bowl it should be small. A adult Woma's bowl shouldn't exceed about 4" in diameter.

I'm sure that if you decide to become an owner of this species you will be hooked. They're beautiful and just a pleasure to work with! I have heard they can be nippy at a younger age, but I have never came across one that has been. I would recommend this snake to a new reptile owner with care being ranked at a 3-4 out of a 10 scale. Enjoy.

[X-Factor]

Amazing, I was JUST looking for caresheets on this species today... small store around me is selling them for $400 apiece. Haven't seen anything cheaper anywhere, wondering why.

[Jazz1]

Well a lot of the Woma's are getting cheaper, especially for males...there's a lot of them floating around now!!

However, I would look at them, and get pictures of the parents.
Some Woma's are really dark and don't have much of the under belly color. I'm picky about mine, I like the really light ones with really good color's and bands.

Go to www.millerreptiles.com

They have some of the BEST Woma's around. If you look on KS you could also find some nice males for $300-500.

Are you thinking about getting one? I'm telling you, it would be the best decision you could ever make. They are very low in maintenance, lots of personality...EVERYONE should have one!!

[X-Factor]

I got to handle a couple of babies yesterday, GORGEOUS animals and the temperament was phenomenal. I am WELL aware of Barry Miller, I got my Suriname from him so I checked there first. He sells his Womas by pair, and were at least $1000. I'm not in the market right now, just doing research. How big do they get? hard to find consistant numbers that are in feet.

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor

[Jazz1]

Yeah, the size is a wide range.
If I were you I would just find out how big the sire/dam is of the litter you're looking at, and go from there. That's a good average to go with. I have a male that probably will not grow any longer than he is at around 5 feet. And my female is a early 07 and she's about 3-4 feet already... NO where near the size of him in girth, but she's nearly as long as him. I'm thinking she'll probably be one of the ones that gets up to about 7-8 feet.

The BHP gets a LOT larger than the Woma.

Let me ask around and get a poll for you, and I'll get back to you with the results!!

Yeah, Miller is a great guy to work with, and has some truly amazing reptiles! I LOVE his BHP's.
you can also check in with Justin & Ben at Australian Addiction Reptiles
They're great guys and easy to work with.

[owen]

i always thought womas were smaller, i only seen 2 in my life and there both about 4-5 feet, how big do the blackheads get?

[Jazz1]

Well I'm not exactly sure, but there's a guy I talk to on MP.com that has a BHP and she's like 8-10 ft. BEAUTIFUL..but big.. I also came across one at a pet shop in FL that had a BHP and she was bigger around than a Blood Python!!! I think she was unhealthy though...I"ve never seen a snake that big in girth

[ssjsmits]

Good read Kristy, thanks!

[Jazz1]

ne time!!

[Special_Ed]

These are interesting critters. I have some that were given to me. They are like the Australian version of a Kingsnake (or python-kingsnake). I agree they are neat. A six foot Woma has a bite like an Anaconda! They're not agressive from my experience.. just very curious! They will nose your arm or wherever and if it smells anything like something they would eat (and they eat most anything) they grab it hard and try to kill it and eat it!
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Interesting..