Woma Python
Encyclopedia
Aspidites ramsayi is a species
of snake found in Australia
. Once common throughout Western Australia
, it has become critically endangered in some regions.
One of two species of Aspidites
, the Pitless pythons, an Australian genus of the Pythonidae. They are known by the common names of Ramsay's python, Woma and Sand python.
are smooth with 50-65 rows at midbody, 280-315 ventral scales
, an undivided anal plate and 40-45 mostly single subcaudal scales
. Some of the posterior subcaudals may be irregularly divided.
The color may be pale brown to nearly black. The pattern consists of a ground colour that varies from medium brown and olive to lighter shades of orange, pink and red, overlaid with darker striped or brindled markings. The belly is cream or light yellow with brown and pink blotches. The scales around the eyes are usually a darker color than the rest of the head.
A. ramsayi may reach a total length of 2.3 m, with a snout-vent length of 2.0 meters.
Aspidites
lack the heat sensing pits of all other pythons. Aspidites ramsayi is similar in appearance to Morelia spilota imbricata
, but without an obvious neck. The colouration or desire to locate this species may lead to confusion with the venomous species Gwardar
.
in the west and center of the country: from Western Australia
through southern Northern Territory
and northern South Australia
to southern Queensland
and northwestern New South Wales
. Its range may be discontinuous. The type locality given is "near Forte Bourke" [New South Wales, Australia].
The range in Southwest Australia extends from Shark Bay
, along the coast and inland regions, and was previously common on sandplains. The species was recorded in regions to the south and east, with once extensive wheatbelt
and goldfield populations.
Red List of Threatened Species
. A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that a population reduction of at least 50% has occurred over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Year assessed: 1996.
The Adelaide Zoo in South Australia is co-ordinating a captive breeding program for the species, and the offspring raised are being released back into the Arid Recovery Reserve near Roxby Downs in the states north.
Many populations in the southwest of the country, since the 1960s, became critically endangered by altered land use. The sharp decline in numbers,without an authenticated record since 1989, was most notable in the Wheatbelt areas.
Although this species will take warm-blooded prey when offered, Aspidites ramsayi prey mainly on reptiles. Perhaps due to this, species within the Aspidites family lack the characteristic heat sensing pits of pythons, although they possess an equivalent sensory structure in their rostral scales.
per clutch. Females remain coiled around their eggs until they hatch, with the incubation period lasting 2-3 months.
trade. They are one of the hardiest python species in captivity, often readily accepting pre-killed rodents. Although it is considered to be an endangered species, mainly due to the destruction of its natural habitat, this snake will breed in captivity.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of snake found in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. Once common throughout Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, it has become critically endangered in some regions.
One of two species of Aspidites
Aspidites
Aspidites is a genus of pythons found in Australia. The name can be translated as "shield bearer" and pertains to their two symmetrically shaped head scales. Currently, two species are recognized.-Description:...
, the Pitless pythons, an Australian genus of the Pythonidae. They are known by the common names of Ramsay's python, Woma and Sand python.
Description
Adults average 1.5 m (4.5 feet) in length. The head is narrow and the eyes small. The body is broad and flattish in profile while the tail tapers to a thin point. The scales are small and smooth and in appearance. The dorsal scalesDorsal scales
In snakes, the dorsal scales are the longitudinal series of plates that encircle the body, but do not include the ventral scales.When counting dorsal scales, numbers are often given for three points along the body, for example 19:21:17...
are smooth with 50-65 rows at midbody, 280-315 ventral scales
Ventral scales
In snakes, the ventral scales are the enlarged and transversely elongated scales that extend down the underside of the body from the neck to the anal scale. When counting them, the first is the anteriormost ventral scale that contacts the paraventral row of dorsal scales on either side...
, an undivided anal plate and 40-45 mostly single subcaudal scales
Subcaudal scales
In snakes, the subcaudal scales are the enlarged plates on the underside of the tail. These scales may be either single or divided and are preceded by the anal scale....
. Some of the posterior subcaudals may be irregularly divided.
The color may be pale brown to nearly black. The pattern consists of a ground colour that varies from medium brown and olive to lighter shades of orange, pink and red, overlaid with darker striped or brindled markings. The belly is cream or light yellow with brown and pink blotches. The scales around the eyes are usually a darker color than the rest of the head.
A. ramsayi may reach a total length of 2.3 m, with a snout-vent length of 2.0 meters.
Aspidites
Aspidites
Aspidites is a genus of pythons found in Australia. The name can be translated as "shield bearer" and pertains to their two symmetrically shaped head scales. Currently, two species are recognized.-Description:...
lack the heat sensing pits of all other pythons. Aspidites ramsayi is similar in appearance to Morelia spilota imbricata
Morelia spilota imbricata
Morelia spilota imbricata is a large snake found in southern regions of Western Australia and western South Australia. A member of the python family, it is commonly known as the Southern Carpet Python.-Description:...
, but without an obvious neck. The colouration or desire to locate this species may lead to confusion with the venomous species Gwardar
Pseudonaja nuchalis
The Western Brown snake, or Gwarder, is a very fast, highly venomous snake native to Australia. Its colour and pattern is rather variable, depending largely on its location. It is most closely related to the Spotted Brown Snake, Speckled Brown Snake, Peninsula Brown Snake, Ingram's Brown Snake,...
.
Geographic range
Found in AustraliaAustralia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
in the west and center of the country: from Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
through southern Northern Territory
Northern Territory
The Northern Territory is a federal territory of Australia, occupying much of the centre of the mainland continent, as well as the central northern regions...
and northern South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
to southern Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
and northwestern New South Wales
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
. Its range may be discontinuous. The type locality given is "near Forte Bourke" [New South Wales, Australia].
The range in Southwest Australia extends from Shark Bay
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Shark Bay is a World Heritage Site in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia. It is an area centred approximately on , 800 kilometres north of Perth, on the westernmost point of Australia. An expedition led by Dirk Hartog happened upon the area in 1616, becoming the second group of Europeans...
, along the coast and inland regions, and was previously common on sandplains. The species was recorded in regions to the south and east, with once extensive wheatbelt
Wheatbelt
A wheat belt is an agricultural region predominantly dedicated to the growing of wheat--98.77.166.159 23:27, 21 November 2011 also has lots of corn and crops to deal with to.It may more specifically refer to:* Wheat belt...
and goldfield populations.
Conservation status
This species is classified as Endangered (EN) on the IUCNWorld Conservation Union
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges." The organization publishes the IUCN Red List, compiling information from a network of...
Red List of Threatened Species
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species , founded in 1963, is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the world's main authority on the conservation status of species...
. A species is listed as such when the best available evidence indicates that a population reduction of at least 50% has occurred over the last 10 years or three generations, whichever is the longer, based on a decline in area of occupancy, extent of occurrence and/or quality of habitat. It is therefore considered to be facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild. Year assessed: 1996.
The Adelaide Zoo in South Australia is co-ordinating a captive breeding program for the species, and the offspring raised are being released back into the Arid Recovery Reserve near Roxby Downs in the states north.
Many populations in the southwest of the country, since the 1960s, became critically endangered by altered land use. The sharp decline in numbers,without an authenticated record since 1989, was most notable in the Wheatbelt areas.
Behavior
Largely nocturnal. By day this snake may be found sheltering in hollow logs or under leaf debris.Feeding
These snakes prey upon a variety of terrestrial vertebrates such as small mammals, ground birds and lizards. They catch much of their prey in burrows where there is not enough room to maneuver coils around their prey; instead, the woma pushes a loop of its body against the animal so it is pinned against the side of the burrow. Many adult womas are covered in scars from retaliating rodents as this technique doesn't kill prey as quickly as normal constriction.Although this species will take warm-blooded prey when offered, Aspidites ramsayi prey mainly on reptiles. Perhaps due to this, species within the Aspidites family lack the characteristic heat sensing pits of pythons, although they possess an equivalent sensory structure in their rostral scales.
Reproduction
Oviparous with 5-20 eggsEgg (biology)
An egg is an organic vessel in which an embryo first begins to develop. In most birds, reptiles, insects, molluscs, fish, and monotremes, an egg is the zygote, resulting from fertilization of the ovum, which is expelled from the body and permitted to develop outside the body until the developing...
per clutch. Females remain coiled around their eggs until they hatch, with the incubation period lasting 2-3 months.
Captivity
Considered to be more active than many pythons, as well as being a very docile and "easy to handle" snake, the Woma is highly sought after in the reptile, and exotic petExotic pet
An exotic pet is a rare or unusual animal pet, or an animal kept as a pet which is not commonly thought of as a pet.The definition is an evolving one; some rodents, reptiles, and amphibians have become firmly enough established in the world of animal fancy to no longer be considered exotic...
trade. They are one of the hardiest python species in captivity, often readily accepting pre-killed rodents. Although it is considered to be an endangered species, mainly due to the destruction of its natural habitat, this snake will breed in captivity.