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Description
Corn Snake (Tessera Salmon Snow)
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, agile build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Tessera Salmon Snow is an elegant and visually soft Corn Snake morph that combines the Tesserapattern gene with the warm pastel tones of the Salmon Snow color combination. This morph displays a clean, unbroken dorsal stripe with symmetrical side markings over a creamy white to pale pink base. The Salmon gene enriches the pink and peach undertones, while the Snow combination (from Amelanistic and Anerythristic) removes all black pigment, leaving delicate hues of pink, silver, and ivory. The overall effect is a luminous, almost iridescent snake with smooth transitions between colors and a pristine belly.
Distribution: A captive-bred combination derived from the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), a species native to the southeastern United States.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit grasslands, pine forests, and agricultural edges. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that include structure for climbing, hiding, and burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, alert, and curious. Corn Snakes are primarily crepuscular, exploring during dawn and dusk. The Tessera Salmon Snow inherits the species’ classic docile temperament, making it both a striking display animal and an excellent choice for handlers of all experience levels.
Captive Care
Enclosure: Adults thrive in a naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger. Use a soil-based or bioactive substrate mixed with leaf litter to support burrowing and exploration. Provide multiple hides, climbing branches, cork bark, and visual cover for security and enrichment.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a gradient of 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a basking area of 86–88°F (30–31°C). Nighttime temperatures can drop to 70°F (21°C). Keep humidity between 40–60%, with a moist hide available 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.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm and interactive. Tessera Salmon Snows are easy to handle, adaptable to routine, and display gentle curiosity. They are highly visual snakes that appreciate complex, enriched enclosures.
Special Considerations: Corn Snakes are skilled climbers and escape artists—ensure enclosures are tightly secured. Naturalistic habitats enhance color presentation and encourage natural behaviors.
Genetics Note
Amelanistic (Recessive)
Removes all melanin (black pigment), revealing bright red, orange, and white hues. In the Snow combination, this contributes to the pale white and pink coloration.
Anerythristic (Recessive)
Removes all red and orange pigment, producing grayscale tones of black, gray, and white. Combined with Amelanistic, it forms the Snow base.
Salmon (Recessive Modifier)
A selectively bred line that enhances pink and peach undertones in Snow morphs. When paired with the Snow combination, it creates a warmer, pastel coloration often described as “blushing.”
Tessera (Dominant)
A dominant pattern gene producing a single clean dorsal stripe bordered by symmetrical side markings. It enhances the smoothness and continuity of patterning, adding balance and symmetry.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Tessera Salmon Snow combines three recessive color traits and one dominant pattern gene:
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Amelanistic + Anerythristic = Snow (white/pink base coloration)
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Salmon = Enhances pink and peach tones within the Snow palette
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Tessera = Creates a clean dorsal stripe and symmetrical pattern
Together, these genes produce a soft pastel-toned Corn Snake with a cream-to-pink body, reduced contrast, and a sharp, linear dorsal stripe. The Tessera Salmon Snow is one of the most refined and visually delicate morphs in the species—subtle, luminous, and highly sought after for its elegance.