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Description
Corn Snake (Okeetee het. Scaleless)
Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
Common Name: Corn Snake
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) in length, with a slender, muscular body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Okeetee het. Scaleless Corn Snake combines the iconic, high-contrast beauty of the Okeetee lineage with the hidden potential of the Scaleless gene. This Corn Snake displays vibrant orange to red saddles with thick, jet-black borders over a coppery-orange or tan background. The Okeetee line is prized for its sharp contrast and strong coloration, producing one of the most recognizable and classic looks in the species. Though the Scaleless gene is not expressed visually, it may subtly enhance the sheen or texture of the scales in some individuals. When bred to compatible partners, this morph can produce Scaleless Okeetees—stunning snakes with a smooth, glass-like finish that amplifies the already vivid Okeetee coloration.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), combining the Okeetee color lineage with a recessive Scaleless gene.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forests, grasslands, and farmlands throughout the southeastern United States. Okeetee-lineage snakes trace their origin to South Carolina’s Okeetee Hunt Club area. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with secure hides, climbing branches, and deep substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, observant, and adaptable. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. The Okeetee het. Scaleless Corn Snake retains the species’ steady temperament and dependable feeding response, making it a great choice for both display and breeding.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. A soil-based or bioactive substrate layered with leaf litter encourages burrowing and exploration. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, climbing branches, and plant cover for enrichment and security.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a basking area around 86–88°F (30–31°C). Allow nighttime drops to 70°F (21°C). Keep humidity between 40–60%, providing a humid hide during shedding.
Diet: Feed frozen-thawed rodents every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. Prey should be approximately 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, confident, and easy to manage. Corn Snakes thrive in structured, naturalistic setups. The Okeetee het. Scaleless Corn Snake’s vibrant coloration and docile personality make it a favorite among both keepers and breeders.
Special Considerations: When bred to a Scaleless or het. Scaleless partner, this morph can produce Scaleless Okeeteeoffspring—snakes that display the Okeetee’s bright coloration and pattern through a smooth, scale-free surface.
Genetics Note
Okeetee Line (Selective Line Trait)
A selectively bred locality line emphasizing deep orange and red coloration with thick, black-bordered saddles. This is a polygenic trait rather than a single-gene mutation.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, which removes external scales when visual, producing a smooth, glossy appearance. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
Genetic Combination Summary
The Okeetee het. Scaleless Corn Snake expresses one polygenic visual trait and carries one recessive gene:
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Okeetee Line = Produces bold, high-contrast coloration and thick black saddle borders
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het. Scaleless = Carrier for scale-removal mutation
Together, these traits create a Corn Snake that exemplifies natural elegance while carrying the genetics for one of the most visually stunning modern morphs. The Okeetee het. Scaleless Corn Snake blends the timeless appeal of the classic Okeetee pattern with the potential to produce future generations of smooth-scaled, high-contrast beauties.