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Species profile · Pythonidae

Aspidites ramsayi

Complete care sheet and morph genetics registry for the woma python — husbandry parameters, diet, breeding and pairing calculator.

Ramsay's PythonSand PythonWomaRamsaypythonMulgara
Adult size
1.4–2.3 m
Lifespan
20–30 yrs
Difficulty
Beginner +
Temperament
Nocturnal
Activity
Nocturnal
Reproduction
Oviparous
01

Husbandry requirements

Woma Python — origin: Australia (arid and semi-arid regions of the central, western and southern interior)..

Terrarium temperature gradient

Night min20 °C
Cool side24–28 °C
Warm side30–33 °C
Basking spot35–38 °C

A radiant hot spot is useful for this species of arid origin. CAUTION: the Woma lacks heat-sensing pits (heat pits) and poorly perceives localised heat sources: ALWAYS use a thermostat and shield any heat source to prevent burns. A moderate night-time drop is beneficial.

Enclosure (adult)
120 × 60 × 50 cm

A terrestrial, arid-type terrarium, favouring floor space over height, with a well-ventilated and secure lid.

A terrestrial, burrowing species: provide several snug hides (including one on the warm side and one on the cool side) and a loose substrate that allows it to bury itself. 120x60 cm is a minimum for an adult; larger is preferable. LEGALLY IMPORTANT: a species endemic to Australia whose export of wild specimens is prohibited; the animals available in the trade outside Australia are captive-bred. Some wild populations (notably in the south-west) are threatened — choose exclusively captive-born animals.

Humidity
30–50 %

An overall dry environment. Provide a humid hide (sphagnum/moss) during shedding periods to prevent incomplete sheds.

Substrate
Aspen shavingsCypress mulchA packed sand/soil mix that allows burrowing

Choose a dry, absorbent substrate that is deep enough to allow the natural burrowing behaviour. Preferably feed off the loose substrate or on a clean surface to limit the risk of accidental ingestion and impaction.

UVB
Optional

Not essential, as it is a nocturnal species, but low-level UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2) remains beneficial for metabolism and the expression of natural behaviours.

Water source
Always available

A bowl of clean water available at all times and renewed regularly; the species drinks little, but the water must stay fresh.

Origin
Pythonidae

Australia (arid and semi-arid regions of the central, western and southern interior).

02

Feeding & health

Diet

Carnivore (mainly rodents in captivity) — Appropriately sized rodents (mice then rats), thawed

In the wild, a diet including many reptiles (lizards, other snakes). In captivity, suitably sized rodents are sufficient. A very marked feeding response: handle with a hook when feeding and space meals out enough to prevent obesity.

Breeding
Oviparous

Clutch 5–20 eggs/young. Incubation is possible by the female (she coils around the eggs) or in an incubator at ~31°C for about 55-70 days. Breeding is often triggered by a winter cooling period.

Health watch points
  • Respiratory infections (often due to too low a temperature or excessive humidity)
  • Obesity (vigorous feeding response and frequent overfeeding)
  • Thermal burns (lack of heat-sensing pits: use of a thermostat is essential)
  • Dysecdysis / incomplete shedding (too low humidity, no humid hide)
  • Mites (Ophionyssus) and scale rot on substrate that is too damp or soiled
03

Morphs & genetics

Registry of 4 documented genes and 3 named combos for Woma Python.

  • Albino (T-) amelanisticRec
  • Axanthic aneryRec
  • Hypo (Hypomelanistic) hypoInc.d
  • Jaguar (Neuro-linked?) jagInc.d
Named combos — 3 documented combined morphs
SnowGhostSunglow
04

Pairing calculator

Pick each parent's genotype — clutch probabilities update live. Free, no sign-up.

🧬

Woma Python × Woma Python

Probabilities per gene (independent loci).

GeneParent AParent B
Expected clutchSelect at least one gene on a parent.
05

Frequently asked questions

Answers to the most common questions about keeping the woma python.

Is the Woma a good snake for beginners?▾
The Woma python (Ramsay's python) is rated beginner to intermediate: as an adult it's generally calm and easy to handle, and it's a completely NON-VENOMOUS constrictor. Its main challenge is a very powerful feeding response, which takes a bit of experience to manage safely.
Can two Womas be housed in the same terrarium?▾
No, never. The species is naturally ophiophagous — meaning it eats other snakes in the wild — so cohabitation risks cannibalism: each individual must be housed strictly alone.
What size terrarium does an adult need?▾
Allow at least 120 x 60 x 50 cm for an adult, larger being preferable, favouring floor space over height. This medium-sized terrestrial python usually measures around 1.5 m (140 to 230 cm) and needs an arid-type terrarium with a well-ventilated, secure lid.
What substrate suits it, and why does it need to be able to burrow?▾
The Woma is a burrowing snake: provide a dry, absorbent, sufficiently deep substrate such as aspen shavings, cypress mulch or a packed sand/soil mix, with several snug hides on both the warm and cool sides. Preferably feed it off the loose substrate to avoid accidental ingestion and the risk of impaction.
Why is a thermostat absolutely mandatory with this species?▾
Crucially, the Woma lacks heat-sensing pits and perceives localized heat sources poorly, leaving it highly prone to burns. Every heat source must therefore be regulated by a thermostat and properly shielded. Provide a hot spot of 35-38°C, a warm side of 30-33°C, a cool side of 24-28°C, and a night-time drop down to 20°C.
What humidity level should be targeted, and how should shedding be managed?▾
The overall environment should stay dry, between 30 and 50% humidity. During shedding periods, add a humid hide filled with sphagnum or moss to prevent incomplete sheds (dysecdysis).
What does the Woma eat, and how should it be fed safely?▾
In captivity, appropriately sized thawed rodents (mice, then rats) are sufficient, whereas in the wild its diet includes many reptiles. Its feeding response is very pronounced, so feed it using a hook to avoid so-called feeding bites.
How can obesity be prevented in this python?▾
Obesity is a common problem because the Woma's hearty appetite easily leads to overfeeding. Space meals out sufficiently and offer proportionate prey rather than prey that's too large or too frequent.
Does it need UVB lighting?▾
It isn't essential since the Woma is a nocturnal species, but low-level UVB (Ferguson zone 1-2) remains beneficial for its metabolism and the expression of natural behaviours.
How does the Woma reproduce?▾
It's an oviparous species that lays 5 to 20 eggs, often after a winter cooling period. The female may incubate them herself by coiling around the eggs, or incubation can be done in an incubator at around 31°C for 55 to 70 days.
What health problems should be monitored?▾
The main ones are respiratory infections (too low a temperature or excessive humidity), obesity, thermal burns linked to the lack of heat-sensing pits, incomplete sheds from insufficient humidity, as well as mites (Ophionyssus) and scale rot on substrate that's too damp or soiled.
Can you buy a wild-caught Woma?▾
No: the Woma is endemic to Australia, which bans the export of wild specimens, and some wild populations (particularly in the south-west) are threatened. All animals available outside Australia come from captive breeding, so you should choose exclusively captive-born individuals.

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