Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Depending on who you talk to they will tell u womas are like big colubrids w a propensity to pump out big clutches. Ive also been told that they are fast snake w a habit of biting and going off feed?? Basically guy tryin to sell me a pair said all the right things vs. the guy just giving me his opinion on the species from his experience....so what do i go with. Ive done the blood python project so a biter doesnt necesserally deter me away but....they arent really that easy are they? Just like some honest opinions because theyre a little chuck of change to invest in. Also varying quality seems confusing. Example youll see a male for $600 but then youll see a single unsexed juvie goin for $1500. There isnt any localities attached to these so how do you tell the difference?? sorry for HUGE post but would like some answers/breeder statements thnks

I don't think the "huge clutches" thing is necessarily true. I think ten is a pretty common number, although they can certainly produce more.

As for the biting, they're not nervous biters like some scrubs or white-lips but it isn't uncommon, halfway through a handling session, for them to decide that you are a food item and they can be a real pain to get off. I thought this was just an indication that my female was insane but I've since heard others say the same thing.

There are different locality types in the wild but the nature of Australia's export laws means that most of what we have has come from a few ancestors (probably Northern Territory) so it probably isn't worth worrying about (unless you plan to smuggle in pure locality stock).
As for the varying prices, certainly some womas are prettier than others but it's very much in the eye of the beholder. Some people like heavy stripes, some people like strong "collaris" spots on the eyes, some like clean golden heads etc. If you've ever looked at the ball python forum you'll know that people have a tendency to decide they have a morph and ask for tonnes of money for it. This is already starting with womas (which, by the way, generally look like regular womas) so it's up to you whether or not you want to buy into all that. My advice is to find some you like the look of, for a price you are happy to pay.

They're wonderful animals, though, and I doubt you'll regret getting some.

G

Mine are pretty mild mannered animals. I have been bit by both once though............but they're by no means aggressive. Once in a while they do react aggressively, but I have braved it and managed to pick them up anyways and they did calm down right away. I only hold them for a few minutes at a time. They're great display animals, mine often cruise the tank which is always cool to see.If a Woma seems to be glowing with color I would pay more for it, same goes for a kind of drab one..........I'd take it if the price was lower than average. I think they're great snakes and can see them becoming very popular when prices come down. I have never heard of a 20 egg clutch though? But that would be one happy herper! Tom

np

Womas are usually big pets,they throw small clutches of eggs,6 to 12,and can be tricky to hatch,most breeders wont give up hatching secrets.I have 6 adults and none of mine bite.As for buying them look at the adults to get an idea of what the babies will look like.Terry

Wonder why so hush....in the GTP community there dishing info out! Oh well still lookin for the right deal/situation b4 i make the jump into womas. Thanks for all the info its hard to get a straight answer when people are tryin to sell u something. So if anybody has a piar for a reasonable price Im listening??