Corn Snake (Anery Motley)

Corn Snake (Anery Motley)

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 Anery Motley combines the cool grayscale coloration of the Anerythristic morph with the clean, organized patterning of the Motley gene. The result is a sleek, modern-looking snake with a silvery-gray to charcoal base and dark gray or black blotches that are often joined or stretched into elongated shapes. The belly is mostly unpatterned or solid white—a signature feature of the Motley pattern. Over time, adults may develop subtle silver or lavender undertones, giving this morph a refined, polished appearance.

Distribution: A captive-bred morph derived from the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), which is native to the southeastern United States.

Habitat: In the wild, Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, grasslands, and farmlands. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that replicate leaf-littered forest floors with climbing opportunities and secure hiding areas.

Behaviour: Calm, curious, and active, Corn Snakes are primarily crepuscular, exploring during dawn and dusk. Their even temperament and consistent feeding make them one of the most beginner-friendly reptiles in herpetoculture.

Captive Care

Enclosure: A 40-gallon naturalistic terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is suitable for adults. Provide a soil-based or semi-bioactive substrate with leaf litter for burrowing and exploration. Include multiple hides, climbing branches, and cork bark for cover.

Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime temperature gradient of 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a basking area around 86–88°F (30–31°C). Nighttime temperatures can drop to 70°F (21°C). Keep humidity around 40–60%, offering a humid hide during shedding.

Diet: Offer 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: Gentle and easy to handle. Anery Motleys are active but composed, adapting well to regular care routines and handling. Their clean patterning and cool color tones make them an excellent display morph in naturalistic setups.

Special Considerations: Ensure the enclosure is escape-proof—Corn Snakes are excellent climbers and opportunistic escape artists. Naturalistic environments with enrichment and structure promote healthy activity and coloration.

Genetics Note

Anerythristic (Recessive)

Removes all red and orange pigmentation, resulting in a grayscale palette of black, gray, and white. The absence of warm tones highlights pattern contrast and gives the snake a cool, metallic look.

Motley (Recessive)

A pattern mutation that connects or reduces dorsal blotches, often producing a chain-like or striped appearance. It also removes belly checkering, creating a smooth white or cream underside. When paired with Anerythristic, it yields a sharp, modern contrast of gray and black with a minimalist aesthetic.

Genetic Combination Summary

The Anery Motley combines two recessive traits:

• Anerythristic = Removes red/orange pigment, producing grayscale coloration

• Motley = Simplifies or connects dorsal blotches; removes belly checkering

Together, these genes create a clean, silver-gray Corn Snake with a sleek, unpatterned underside and a cool, refined appearance — one of the most visually balanced monochrome morphs available.