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Description
Corn Snake (Amber Stripe 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, athletic build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Amber Stripe is a warm-toned morph combining Hypomelanistic and Caramel genetics with a striped pattern mutation. The result is a golden-to-honey-brown snake accented by clean amber striping that runs the length of the body. The combination softens the usual reds and blacks into rich, natural earth tones with cream-colored sides and a lightly patterned head. The “het. Scaleless” trait adds genetic potential for producing scale-free offspring when paired appropriately. The overall look is elegant, smooth, and naturally warm—one of the most refined striped color combinations in Corn Snakes.
Distribution: A captive-bred color and pattern combination derived from the widespread Corn Snake (P. guttatus), originally native to the southeastern United States.
Habitat: In nature, Corn Snakes inhabit mixed woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural edges. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic enclosures that replicate leaf litter, logs, and low vegetation.
Behaviour: Typically crepuscular, active during dawn and dusk. Corn Snakes are terrestrial but will readily climb low branches or décor. They are calm, confident feeders and exceptionally reliable captives—ideal for both beginner and experienced keepers.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Adults thrive in a naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger. A bioactive or soil-based substrate with leaf litter supports burrowing and natural behaviors. Provide multiple hides, cork bark, climbing branches, and dense foliage for cover and enrichment.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a gradient of 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a basking spot around 86–88°F (30–31°C). Nighttime drops to 70°F (21°C) are beneficial. Keep humidity between 40–60%, with a moist hide provided during shedding.
Diet: Offer 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. Corn Snakes are dependable feeders that rarely refuse meals once acclimated.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, curious, and easy to handle. Regular interaction encourages a confident temperament. Active and exploratory, they benefit from environmental enrichment and opportunities to climb and burrow.
Special Considerations: Corn Snakes are natural escape artists—ensure all enclosure openings are secure. A naturalistic habitat with climbing and hiding opportunities promotes both mental and physical health.
Genetics Note
Hypomelanistic (Recessive)
Removes most black pigmentation, resulting in a softer, warmer appearance. The eyes remain dark, but the overall body tone lightens, allowing red, orange, and yellow hues to stand out vividly.
Caramel (Recessive)
Eliminates red pigmentation while enhancing yellows and browns. The Caramel gene produces a muted, buttery color palette, giving the snake a golden undertone with less contrast.
Amber (Hypomelanistic + Caramel Combination)
When Hypomelanistic and Caramel are expressed together, they form the Amber morph — a warm honey-gold snake with reduced melanin and an even, golden glow. The two recessive traits blend harmoniously to produce this smooth, natural color spectrum.
Stripe (Pattern Mutation)
A simple recessive or selectively inherited pattern trait that transforms the traditional blotched Corn Snake into a striped form. The pattern manifests as two to three clean longitudinal lines running along the back and sides.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, a recessive mutation that removes external body scales while leaving the belly scutes intact. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning the snake carries one copy of the gene but does not visually express it.) When bred to another Scaleless or het. Scaleless individual, approximately 25% of offspring may hatch as visual Scaleless Corn Snakes, exhibiting smooth, glass-like skin.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Amber Stripe het. Scaleless combines multiple recessive and pattern traits:
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Amber = Hypomelanistic + Caramel
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Stripe = Pattern mutation
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het. Scaleless = Heterozygous carrier of the Scaleless gene
Together, these genes produce a visually stunning golden-striped snake with potential to create Scaleless Amber Stripeoffspring through selective breeding.