Woma python Facts

Woma python Facts
Woma python, also known as sand python and Ramsay's python, belongs to the group of non-venomous snakes. It can be found in the central, north-eastern and western parts of Australia. Woma python inhabits grasslands, scrublands, woodlands and areas near the coast. Woma python is listed as endangered (or critically endangered in some areas) due to accelerated habitat destruction, loss of prey and increased predation.
Interesting Woma python Facts:
Woma python can reach 4 to 8 feet in length.
Woma python has orange head with dark scales around eyes. Dorsal side of the body can be light brown, reddish-brown, olive or dark, nearly black. It is covered with dark bands. Lateral sides of the body are pale. Pink or brown-colored blotches cover yellowish or creamy-colored belly.
Woma python has narrow head with small eyes. Body is broad, flat and covered with smooth scales. It ends with thin tail.
Unlike other species of pythons, woma python does not have heat-sensing pits (type of sensory organs located close to the mouth, used for detection of warm-blooded animals).
Woma python is nocturnal creature (active during the night).
Woma python hides in the abandoned mammalian burrows, under the logs or in thick vegetation during the day. It uses its head to dig burrows in the sand.
When it moves over the warm sand, woma python avoids contact with the ground as much as possible to avoid burns (only few inches of body are touching the ground when it moves).
Woma python is a carnivore (meat-eater). Its diet is based on reptiles (including venomous snakes), mammals and birds.
Woma python belongs to the group of constrictors (snakes that kill their prey by squeezing). When it hunts mammals in the narrow burrows, woma python presses the animal against the wall to crush it. Most animals (especially rodents) will fight back, using their claws and sharp teeth. As a result, surface of the woma python's body is often covered with scars.
Main predators of woma pythons are foxes, feral cats and mulga snakes.
Woma python is non-venomous and non-aggressive type of snake. These features make is very popular in the industry of exotic pets.
Mating season of woma pythons takes place from May to August.
Female lays 5 to 19 eggs usually from September to October. She curls around eggs to provide heat required for incubation. Eggs hatch after 2 to 3 months.
When eggs become cold, female starts to shiver. That way muscles produce and release additional heat. Female leaves the nest when eggs hatch. Baby snakes are left on their own from the moment of birth. Males reach sexual maturity at the age of 1.5 years, females between the second and third year.
Woma python can survive from 20 to 30 years in the captivity.


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