GENERAL INFORMATION ON WOMAS
Woma Pythons (Aspidites ramsayi) are found only in Australia. They are in the Aspidites family along with the Blackhead Python. A moderate size snake that can reach lengths of 4-5 feet. Womas have a slender shape body compared to other pythons. Their diet in the wild mainly consist of rodents and other small mammals. We started working with Woma Pythons since 1999 where we got our original adults from Frank Retes and Pete Kuhn. They are one of our favorite snake to work with due to their great disposition and manageable size. Below is some information on how to properly care for your Woma Python.
HOUSING WOMA PYTHONS
Woma Pythons need a very basic set up. How you like to decorate the enclosure besides the necessities is personal choice. The basic items to house a Woma Python would be the enclosure, water bowl, heating element and a hiding area.
The types of enclosures that are commonly used are aquariums, Tupperware boxes and assortment of reptile caging. Make sure that the enclosure being used have a lid or door that locks. That will prevent the snake from escaping the enclosure. With Tupperware boxes most, collectors keep snakes in a rack system in order house multiple snakes in a limited amount of space.
Once an enclosure is selected another item needed will be a substrate. Many items can be used like paper towel, newspaper, aspen shaving, cypress mulch or any kind of reptile bark substrate. I recommend for most people to use cypress mulch or bark substrate as it hold humidity better than the other substrates. Plus, there is less chance of molding. Remember not to use any cedar shavings as the oils can be toxic to reptiles.
Next item will be some sort of heating element to keep the snake warm when it needs to thermo-regulate. Best item to use will be a heat pad, that will be place on the underside of the enclosure. Heat rock and heat lamps are not recommended but can be used. Reason why we don’t recommend them as the main heating source is that the heat lamp dries out the cage and the heat rock itself must be placed inside the cage which can burn the snake if the temperature of the rock gets too high.
Lastly two basic items like a water bowl which should always have clean water and a hiding place for the snake to retreat and feel secure.
FEEDING WOMA PYTHONS
Woma Pythons feed on mice and rats. They should be fed at least once a week to maintain proper weight and growth. Yes, Woma Pythons can go long periods of time without feeding but for the snake’s well-being feeding once a week is the proper regimen. Babies start off on hopper mice or rat pinkies and move up to larger size meals as the snake gets larger. The meal should leave a small lump and should not be handled for two days once being fed. That will reduce the chance of the snake regurgitating the meal.
We do not recommend force feeding any snake unless it is a snake that has never eaten before. Patience is the best remedy and if you feed your snake on a weekly basis there is nothing to worry about.
TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY
Woma Pythons are cold blooded animals. They cannot produce heat and need heat for cellular activity like digestion. Womas prefer ambient temperature around 78-85f and a heat spot of 85-93f. Since most Woma Pythons are kept indoors in a cooler climate a heating element would be necessary to provide heat.
As for humidity that is something we really find important. We recommend maintaining 55-70% humidity in the enclosure. With the heating element and AC inside the house taking away the humidity, we highly recommend misting the cage once or twice a week. That will increase the amount of humidity inside the enclosure. One way you can tell if there is inefficient amount of humidity is when the snake has a dry shed. If proper humidity is maintained the snake should shed in one piece. Other ways to increase humidity is to reduce the amount of airflow in the enclosure.