Woma Python

Aspidites ramsayi
Common Names: Woma Python, Ramsay’s Python, Sand Python

Species Overview

• Size: Adults typically reach 5–7 feet (1.5–2.1 m), with females often larger than males.

• Appearance:

  • Woma Pythons are easily recognized by their sandy, tan, or golden background colouration, overlaid with irregular dark brown to black bands along the body.

  • The head is usually a solid tan or brown, lacking the distinctive heat-sensing pits found in most pythons.

  • Their pattern serves as camouflage in arid and semi-arid environments.

• Distribution: Native to central and western Australia, particularly arid and semi-arid regions.

• Habitat: Found in deserts, grasslands, and scrublands, often using burrows of other animals for shelter.

• Behaviour: Primarily terrestrial, Womas are active foragers rather than sit-and-wait predators. In the wild, they feed on mammals, reptiles, and birds, often entering burrows to pursue prey.

Captive Care

• Enclosure: Adults require a minimum enclosure of 4 ft × 2 ft × 2 ft, though larger is preferred. Provide secure hides, climbing branches, and a burrowing substrate such as sand/soil mix or aspen.

• Temperature & Humidity:

  • Basking area: 88–92°F (31–33°C).

  • Ambient temps: 78–82°F (25–28°C).

  • Nighttime drops: 72–75°F (22–24°C).

  • Humidity: Maintain relatively low 30–50%, with access to fresh water at all times.

• Diet: Juveniles thrive on pinky to fuzzy mice every 5–7 days; adults feed on medium to large rats every 10–14 days. They are enthusiastic feeders.

• Behaviour in Captivity: Womas are generally docile and hardy, making them excellent pythons for intermediate keepers. They are active and curious, often exploring their enclosures.

• Special Considerations: Their lack of heat-sensing pits is unusual for a python and may reflect adaptation to burrow hunting. Provide a naturalistic enclosure to encourage activity.

Genetics Note

• The Woma Python is a naturally occurring python species rather than a morph.

• While some colour and pattern variations exist, they are not as selectively bred for morphs as ball pythons or boas.

• Pure locality bloodlines are valued in the hobby, as hybridization with Black-headed Pythons (Aspidites melanocephalus) has occurred in captivity.

The Woma Python is a striking and hardy Australian python, admired for its banded desert camouflage, manageable size, and active personality, making it a standout among medium-sized python species.