Woma - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Aspidites ramsayi

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Profile last updated: 07 Sep 2017

Description

The Woma is a large python that is on average 1.5 m long, but may reach up to 2.7 m. It is olive-brown to reddish-brown above with darker cross-bands along the length of the body (from the neck to the tail-end). The underparts are yellow to cream with pink or brown blotches.

Distribution

The Woma occurs in north-western NSW, east to about Louth and Bourke. In was last recorded in these eastern districts in the late 1890s, and in 1983 from the Tibooburra region. Its range and abundance in south-eastern Australia is considered to be undergoing serious decline.

Habitat and ecology

Terrestrial, inhabiting subtropical to temperate deserts and sandy plains, as well as dunefields and deep cracking black soil plains in semi-arid areas.
Occurs in hummock grasslands, shrublands or woodlands and shelters in animal burrows, hollow logs or under grass hummocks.
Feeds at night on lizards, snakes, birds and small mammals, which it captures using a range of strategies; known to rely on ambush predation in a manner similar to death adders (Acanthophis spp.) by using its tail to lure prey; also actively forages on the ground, in animal burrows and in trees.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Fragmentation, resulting from clearing or degradation of habitat, may reduce the size of populations and increase the extent to which they are isolated; small, isolated populations have a greater risk of extinction due to genetic effects and chance events (e.g., drought and fire).
Degradation of the habitat, a result of inappropriate grazing or fire regimes, has resulted in changes to the physical and biological nature of the habitat (e.g. changes in the structure and floristics of vegetation, diversity and abundance of invertebrates); these changes may render habitat unsuitable or increase the risk posed by other threatening processes (e.g., predation).
Fire may cause the direct loss of individuals.
Predation by foxes or cats, particularly where populations have already declined.
Catastrophic events such as drought or extensive wildfire.
Hunting or illegal collection, although infrequent, is likely to cause a significant impact where populations are isolated and/or small.
Human-induced climate change is a long-term threat as it may alter habitat characteristics (e.g. changes in physical structure or productivity) such that its capacity to support viable populations is reduced.
Loss of critical shelter or breeding features such as tree hollows and standing or fallen timber is a threat.
Ripping or blasting of warrens may reduce refuges or result in the direct loss of individuals.
Insufficient understanding of species distribution and abundance

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Control vertebrate pest populations (e.g., foxes, cats and rabbits) that either prey on the species or compete for resources.
Avoid disturbing the species; deny access to people who may be involved in illegal collection.
Reduce stocking intensity or exclude grazing in some areas to allow regeneration of vegetation to provide shelter for the species and habitat for food resources.
Retain grasslands and allow grassland species to complete their lifecycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, tussock formation).
Retain understorey shrubs and allow them to complete their life cycle (i.e., seed set, germination, establishment, growth to maturity).
Retain fallen logs and ground debris.
Maintain exfoliating and soil-surface rocks.
Maintain spinifex or porcupine grass (Triodia spp.) in the area.
Prevent activities that will eliminate soil cracks (e.g., cultivation).
Buffer habitat areas from the impacts of other activities (e.g., cultivation).
Fence habitat to prevent grazing of vegetation and erosion of stream banks.
Prevent clearing of suitable habitat.
Revegetate gullies and stream banks where vegetation has been cleared; widen the strip of riparian vegetation.

Information sources

Cogger. H.G. (2014) Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia. 7th Edition. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.)
Swan, G., Shea, G. and Sadlier, R. (2004) A Field Guide to Reptiles of New South Wales. (Reed New Holland, Sydney)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Predicted	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Predicted	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None

Images

Woma Image 1 of 2.
View slideshow.

Nature conservation

Threatened species