Reptile & Amphibian Forums

This is my first year working with this species, so I'm a little miffed.

I have a nice pair of 2003 Barry Miller animals who were eating great a few months back. The male went off feed in mid July and has been constantly roaming his cage ever since. It seems that he's really paying a lot of attention to the top of his cage. I assume this is because the female's cage is directly above his, but I don't know...just a theory.

Now the female is starting to refuse food. Just like the male, she used to eat great, then became so-so about eating about the time the male went off feed. Since she shed a few weeks ago, she's refusing food.

They are big...female is about 5 feet long and nearly the girth of a coke can and the male is around 4 feet, so that should give you an idea of how well they eat. I know they're young (17-18 months), but I can't help but wonder if this is their way of telling me to cool them down and get ready for breeding.

I'm interested to hear thoughts of those who have actually worked with Womas.

Here's a photo of the male, just for kicks.

Thanks,
Anthony

-----
----------------------------------
Anthony Caponetto

I also have a 2003 Barry Miller Woma. She is still eating great as of last feeding. She is taking small rats no problem. She is probably about three feet long and the diameter of a an empty paper towel roll. Will post a pic soon....

People think I feed mine too much. Mine are older than yours, at least the female is, and they're half that girth at 5 feet long each. Maybe if you separate them so the male doesn't pick up the females phermones he'll start eating. Throw them together and see if they breed. I would bet they would breed without brumation.

Ha u stole my snake!!!! Ive got a miller woma(female) and it like that. I mean exactly. Ive noticed my womas have slowed down. They used to eat 2 medium rats back to back every week. Now just one. I got a male high orange from Tim Oliver and he seems real interested in the bottom right of his cage. Could it be that the gal is directly below him in my snake room? Ive got boaphile 4 footers and the are well ventilated. Anyways i would cool em a little and put them together in 2 weeks. YOu never know....womas are a unique python! cheers

But is it not too early? I have a couple of Woma too, and the female is fasting, but I'll cool and paired them in Nov....some tip and input, plese...Thanks

Steno

I have two pair of '03 animals, and one of the males hasn't eaten in a month. It definitely seems early for that (plus he is so young). He is even in the top cage so it should be plenty warm. Come November I'll probably put him with a female and see what he thinks. My females are both noticeably larger than the males.

-----
Ronda Van Winkle
Northwest Herpetoculture

Sorry it took me so long to get back. I kind of forgot that I even posted this thread. I did read every reply, though, and I appreciate everyone's input.

I've had yearling male Carpet Pythons go off feed, so it doesn't surprise me that my male won't eat, but the female is a mystery.

Just to clarify things, I got the Womas from a friend who got them directly from Barry. I probably wouldn't have fed them as much as he did, simply because I have over 100 animals and wouldn't have time to. However, given the fact that they are big enough, I was planning on continuing to beef the female up (she really doesn't look obese) and try to breed them this winter. At this point, I don't want to put them together yet, simply because I feel the female is just too young. I figured by December, they'll be around 20 months of age and the female would be plenty big, although barely old enough.

I'll probably go ahead and start cooling them now and if they both still have good body weight by January, I'll introduce them.

Thanks again, everyone.
-----
----------------------------------
Anthony Caponetto
www.ACreptiles.com