Woma Python
Aspidites ramsayi
Woma Pythons are a small Australian python. They are one of two members of the Aspidites genus, the other being the Black headed Python. They are a primitive python species, and the only ones who do not posses heat sensing labial pits.
A Woma Pythons pattern consists of a ground colour that varies from olive & medium brown to lighter shades of orange/red, overlaid with darker striped markings.
Womas have lightly coloured heads ranging from brown, orange or yellow with the scales being a lot darker near the eyes, a lot like Pandas.
Size:
Generally Woma Pythons reach between 4-6 ft, females are typically larger than males reaching around 6ft.
Substrate and Water Needs:
For bedding you can use a variety of things, Pine & Cedar are to be avoided as these are toxic to reptiles. You can use newspaper or paper towel which are cheap but not very appealing. Aspen or Auboise is your best bet, it’s cheap and it looks good.
You will need a fair sized water bowl, one the snake can submerse its body in.
Lighting and UVB:
Womas have no special lighting requirements but if you do use a bulb, please ensure the light has a bulb guard to avoid your snake from being burnt.
Temperatures & Humidity:
Your Woma should be kept at temperatures between 28 – 32’C.
To achieve these temperatures several heating devices can be used such as:
Heatmats
Basking/Infrared Bulbs
AHS heaters
Ceramic bulbs
These are down to personal preference & all should be used with the appropriate Thermostats to control the temperature & avoid overheating.
Woma Pythons humidity should be around 40%.
A moss box can be provided when they are shedding to help assist them but this is not usually necessary.
If help is needed choosing heating/thermostat options, please do not hesitate to contact us & we will guide you in the right direction.
Housing:
An adult Woma Pythons can be housed in a 4ft x 2ft x 2ft vivarium.
Young Womas are best kept in small tubs, with secure hides as they may go off feeding if they feel insecure.
Provide them with 2 hides, one in the hot end & one in the cool end, an appropriately sized water bowl should also be provided.
Older Womas can be housing housed in 50L tubs or a 4x2x2ft vivarium if big enough.
Diet:
Young Womas are able to take fuzzies on their first feed.
You should be able to start feeding your snake on fuzzies, if they are on the smaller side, then large pinkies. You may feed them every 5 to 7 days at this point.
As the snake grows it will need larger prey items. You will know when they need to go up a size once you can’t see the food item in their belly anymore.
Older snakes should be fed on an appropriately sized meal every 2-3 weeks to avoid becoming overweight.
Maintenance:
They are very easy snakes to keep & attractive to look at, this is why they make good pet snakes.
I would recommend changing their water every 1-2 days, spot clean every few days, and clean them out properly every 1-2 months, using an appropriate disinfectant.
Handling your Woma should help keep them calm & easy to handle.
If you have a nippy one, don’t let it put you off, they calm down easily.
Some Words on this Species:
Woma Pythons make great pet snakes due to their attractive colours, manageable size & low maintenance, being easy to keep but as with most snakes can have long life spans, so be prepared to take care for an animal for the rest of its life.
They are calm and not to fast moving, they are still heavy bodied but at the same time, not as large as the bigger boas or pythons in captivity.