Woma Pythons

About Woma Pythons

Area of origin: Australia
Adult size: 4.5-5.5ft
Captive lifespan: 20+ years

Housing, heating & lighting

Enclosure

Woma Pythons are active snakes, especially at night time, and do enjoy a bit of a climb. Minimum enclosure size is 4x2x2ft, with 6x2x2ft being preferable for an adult. The enclosure should be furnished with sturdy branches for climbing, at least two hides, and a deep layer of substrate to burrow in. I like to use bamboo roots for my Woma Python, Maya, as they provide a jungle gym effect and it’s easy to switch them around to provide some enrichment. For hides, I’ve opted for resin- they’re easy to clean and retain warmth brilliantly when placed below the heat source.
Humidity is something to consider with your Woma Python- although they come from down under, they seek out high humidity when looking for a spot to burrow. This keeps their wonderful soft skin in healthy condition, and eyes healthy and bright. Using a humid hide is a great idea with these snakes.

Heating

Woma Pythons love to bask, so heat must come from above- think Aussie sunshine. I choose to use ceramic heat emitters paired with a pulse proportional thermostat. The temperature of the basking spot should be between 30-32°C.
Ambient, and floor temperatures, should range from 22°C on the cooler end of the enclosure, moving up to 28°C on the warmer end. Providing a night time temperature drop is completely acceptable as the Woma Python’s natural habitat is cooler in the evenings and overnight, however to keep your snake nice and comfortable, I wouldn’t recommend lowering the temperature past 22°C throughout the enclosure.

Lighting

Woma Pythons must be provided with a day/night cycle. You can certainly offer your snake UVB lighting- I’ve opted for a 6% UVB flood lamp, and the rest of the enclosure is lit with LEDs. This way, a UV zone is offered but not forced, so the snake can move in and out as they see fit. Make sure they lights are on a timer so your snake has a routine they can become familiar with.

Feeding & handling

Feeding

Woma Pythons are voracious feeders, with a precise strike. This can give them the appearance of being a little feisty- but we’ll talk about that when it comes to handling. The only time my Woma refuses food is when she’s deep in shed, otherwise, she’s ready for a meal at all times. Feeding an adult every 1-2 weeks is plenty- just keep an eye on weight to make sure they retain the correct body shape- they’re a naturally triangular shape.
I feed Maya mice or rats, mixing things up provides good nutrition and enrichment- let’s face it, it’d be boring to eat the same thing all the time!

Handling

Here’s where things get interesting. Woma Pythons have two reputations, one which describes them as mellow snakes who are docile when handled, the other implies they’ve got a feeding response they can’t turn off!
Maya is a mix between the two- when she’s out of her enclosure she’s relaxed and sweet natured (although she’s given us a nibble once or twice). When she’s in her enclosure, she’s a small demon, ready for food and prepped to bite at the slightest movement. This is why regular handling is key with Woma Pythons, it’s also why Maya is the only snake I have hook trained. Her knowing the difference between handling and feeding is important in keeping both of our stress levels to a minimum!