Corn Snake (Scaleless Blood poss. Pied) Sub-Adult

Corn Snake (Scaleless Blood poss. Pied)

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 strong, elongated build and a smooth, glossy, scale-free surface.

Appearance: The Scaleless Blood poss. Pied Corn Snake is a vibrant and striking morph that blends intense red coloration with a uniquely smooth texture. This Corn Snake expresses the Scaleless and Bloodred (Diffused) genes while possibly carrying the Pied recessive trait. Without external scales, the skin appears glassy and almost translucent, amplifying the deep, saturated red tones of the Bloodred gene. The Diffused trait eliminates belly checkering and softens dorsal patterning, often producing a nearly solid red body. The possible Pied influence (if proven) could introduce irregular white patches or pattern interruptions. The overall effect is a sleek, high-contrast snake with both visual and genetic depth—its sheen and saturation make it one of the most eye-catching forms of the species.

Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), combining the Scaleless and Diffused (Bloodred) recessive genes, with potential influence from the Pied gene.

Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, meadows, and farmlands across the southeastern United States. In captivity, this morph thrives in naturalistic setups with smooth climbing surfaces, soft substrate, and gentle environmental conditions that avoid abrasiveness to the skin.

Behaviour: Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. They are hardy, adaptable, and dependable feeders. The Scaleless Blood poss. Pied Corn Snake behaves much like any other Corn Snake, though it benefits from slightly higher humidity to assist in shedding due to the lack of scales.

Captive Care

Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is recommended for adults. Use soft, non-abrasive substrate such as coconut fiber or soil mixes, and include cork flats, hides, and smooth climbing branches. Provide multiple hides and plant cover to maintain 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). Maintain humidity between 50–65% to ensure smooth shedding, especially for Scaleless individuals.

Diet: Feed frozen-thawed rodents every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. Prey should be roughly 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.

Behaviour in Captivity: Corn Snakes thrive in well-maintained enclosures with consistent environmental conditions. Scaleless varieties benefit from added humidity and gentler décor to protect their exposed skin.

Special Considerations: This morph is valuable in breeding projects aimed at combining Scaleless and Pied traits. If the Pied gene proves visual, offspring may display distinct white patches across the red Bloodred base—a visually stunning and rare combination.

Genetics Note

Scaleless (Recessive)

Removes external scales, producing a smooth, glossy skin that accentuates color saturation and pattern.

Bloodred / Diffused (Recessive)

Removes belly checkering and softens or eliminates dorsal patterning, resulting in uniform coloration.

poss. Pied (Possible Recessive Carrier)

May carry the Pied gene, which introduces white patches or areas of pigment reduction when visual.

Genetic Combination Summary

The Scaleless Blood poss. Pied Corn Snake expresses two recessive traits and possibly carries a third:

• Scaleless = Removes scales, enhancing color vibrancy and texture

• Bloodred / Diffused = Produces solid red coloration by reducing pattern and ventral markings

• poss. Pied = Possible carrier for pigment-loss patterning

Together, these genetics create a vivid, glass-smooth snake with exceptional color intensity and the potential for rare pattern expressions in future pairings. The Scaleless Blood poss. Pied Corn Snake is both visually impressive and genetically valuable, serving as an ideal foundation for advancing high-contrast, scaleless pied combinations.