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Description
Corn Snake (Blood Pied 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 firm, muscular body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Blood Pied het. Scaleless Corn Snake is a richly colored and genetically complex morph that combines the patternless intensity of the Bloodred (Diffused) gene with the dramatic white markings of the Piedsidegene. This Corn Snake exhibits deep, saturated crimson or cherry-red coloration across most of its body, with irregular white patches along the flanks that may rise toward the dorsum. The belly is clean and uncheckered, a signature of the Diffused complex, while the eyes are dark red or ruby-toned. Though the Scaleless gene is not expressed here, it is carried recessively, meaning that future offspring could display the striking smooth, scale-free texture associated with that trait. Together, these genes create a Corn Snake with a vibrant, high-contrast appearance and significant potential for producing exceptional combinations in breeding programs.
Distribution: A selectively bred designer morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed through the combination of Bloodred, Piedside, and Scaleless genetic lines.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit pine forests, open fields, and agricultural areas across the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with room to climb, burrow, and explore.
Behaviour: Calm, curious, and intelligent. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, showing peak activity at dawn and dusk. The Blood Pied het. Scaleless Corn Snake retains the calm temperament and reliable feeding habits typical of the species.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is recommended 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%, 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 approximately 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm and confident. Corn Snakes adapt well to routine handling and naturalistic habitats. The Blood Pied het. Scaleless Corn Snake’s bold red coloration and contrasting white patches make it an eye-catching display animal and an excellent breeder for advancing pied or scaleless lines.
Special Considerations: Corn Snakes are strong climbers—ensure all enclosure openings are secure. Naturalistic setups highlight the morph’s vibrant colors and natural behavior.
Genetics Note
Bloodred (Diffused – Recessive)
Removes belly checkering and dorsal patterning, producing a smooth, uniform red body. This gene enhances color depth and gives the snake its deep crimson tone.
Piedside (Recessive)
Creates irregular patches of white or unpigmented scales along the sides of the body, often asymmetrical and unique to each individual.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, which removes external scales when expressed visually, creating a smooth, glossy body surface. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
Genetic Combination Summary
The Blood Pied het. Scaleless Corn Snake expresses two visible recessive traits and carries one hidden gene:
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Bloodred (Diffused) = Deep, uniform red coloration with minimal pattern
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Piedside = White or unpigmented patches along the flanks
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het. Scaleless = Potential for a smooth, scale-free body texture when expressed
Together, these genes produce a Corn Snake of bold red and white contrast, sleek form, and striking simplicity. The Blood Pied het. Scaleless Corn Snake is both a stunning display animal and an essential breeder for producing Scaleless Pied Blood combinations—morphs renowned for their glassy texture and extraordinary coloration.