Woma python (Aspidites ramsayi)

Short answers

Woma python: How big does the enclosure need to be?

From 230×115×175 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, woma and black-headed python); ground-oriented.

Woma python: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot 30–35 °C, at night 22–24 °C.

Woma python: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: UVB not essential, low UVB recommended.

Woma python: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 20–30 years.

Woma python: Is it suitable for beginners?

Rather not – it is considered an intermediate species (difficulty: Intermediate).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

22–24 °C

Basking spot

30–35 °C

Humidity

40–60 % (with a humid shedding box of up to ~70 % for the moult)

UVB

UVB not essential, low UVB recommended

Enclosure

Minimum size

from 230×115×175 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, woma and black-headed python); ground-oriented

Substrate

Aspen shavings, about 8–15 cm deep; they like to dig

Feeding

Food

Rodents (mice, then rats); reptile-eating in the wild

Feeding interval

adults 1× every 10–14 days, juveniles 1× every 5–7 days

Key facts

Adult size

150–230 cm (average ~1.5 m)

Life expectancy

20–30 years

Origin

Central and Western Australia (arid zones)

Protection status

CITES Appendix II / EU Regulation Annex B – registration required, proof of origin required. An Australian export ban → captive-bred animals only.

Brumation

None as such; a slight winter drop or shorter photoperiod to stimulate breeding

Cohabitation

Keep them singly – solitary and ophiophagous (it eats reptiles and snakes) → a risk of cannibalism; put them together only briefly for supervised breeding

Notes

A burrowing desert species that thermoregulates via floor heat – do not let the night temperature fall below about 22–24 °C. Robust and usually calm; correct temperature management is decisive. Because it is primed on reptile prey, stay alert when feeding and handling.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

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Related species

• Black-headed python (Aspidites melanocephalus) – Intermediate
• Amethystine python (Simalia amethistina) – Intermediate to expert
• Angolan python (Python anchietae) – Intermediate
• Australian scrub python (Simalia kinghorni) – Intermediate
• Boelen's python (Simalia boeleni) – Expert
• Burmese python (Python bivittatus) – Expert
• Indian python (Python molurus) – Expert
• Ball python (Python regius) – Beginner to intermediate

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Woma python (Aspidites ramsayi) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (from 230×115×175 cm (minimum size according to the 1997 expert report, woma and black-headed python); ground-oriented), substrate (Aspen shavings, about 8–15 cm deep; they like to dig), a heat source with a thermostat, UVB lighting, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.