Arboreality, excavation, and active foraging: novel observations of radiotracked woma pythons Aspidites ramsayi

Novel wild behaviours were observed during a 21 month intensive radiotracking study of the woma python Aspidites ramsayi (Macleay, 1882) in south-western Queensland, Australia. Arboreal behaviour was unexpected in this terrestrial and burrow-dwelling species, with no previous anecdotal or published reports. Arboreal activity occurred strictly at night during warm weather and was associated with sleeping reptile predation, particularly predation upon bearded dragons Pogona barbata (Cuvier, 1829). Excavation behaviour in wild womas was predicted from captive specimens in 1981, but has not been reported to date. Two observations of radiotracked womas excavating in alluvial clay soils are detailed with comments on the function of this behaviour. Finally, brief descriptions and a summary of all thirteen feeding observations are given. Bearded dragons P. barbata, sand goannas Varanus gouldii (Gray, 1838) and yakka skinks Egernia rugosa (De Vis, 1888) were the most commonly observed prey items; however predation and ingestion of one large mammal - an adult hare Lepus capensis (Linneaus, 1758) - was also observed. Pre-and post-feeding movements indicate an active foraging strategy predominates; however ambush behaviour was also observed. Here I outline and summarise these novel wild behavioural observations and discuss them in the context of known snake ecology and physiology. These observations greatly enhance the behavioural and ecological understanding of this large, yet elusive python.