Corn Snake (Bloodred Motley Stripe)

Corn Snake (Bloodred Motley Stripe)

Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
Common Name: Corn Snake

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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 Bloodred Motley Stripe Corn Snake is a sophisticated combination morph expressing three distinct recessive traits that work in harmony to create a clean, flowing, and deeply saturated red snake. This Corn Snake features the solid crimson coloration of the Bloodred (Diffused) gene, enhanced by the Motley and Stripe pattern genes. The result is a smooth red body with elongated dorsal stripes or connected blotches that often run from head to tail, forming a continuous linear flow. The belly is completely uncheckered and creamy white, a hallmark of the Diffusedcomplex, while the eyes are deep ruby red. In some individuals, the stripes appear bold and well-defined; in others, they softly blend into the body tone, producing a fluid, almost metallic look. This morph is both visually refined and a perfect example of how multiple pattern genes can merge seamlessly into one of the cleanest, most uniform Corn Snake appearances.

Distribution: A selectively bred designer morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed by combining Diffused (Bloodred), Motley, and Stripe genetic lines in captivity.

Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, grasslands, and agricultural areas throughout the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that provide both horizontal and vertical space for climbing, hiding, and exploring.

Behaviour: Calm, confident, and intelligent. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. The Bloodred Motley Stripe Corn Snake retains the species’ gentle nature and strong feeding response, making it suitable for both display and breeding.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. A soil-based or bioactive substrate layered with leaf litter encourages burrowing and natural exploration. Include multiple hides, cork flats, climbing branches, and plant cover for enrichment and visual security.

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). Allow nighttime drops to 70°F (21°C). Maintain humidity between 40–60%, with a humid 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 roughly 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.

Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, steady, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in enriched environments that allow for exploration and climbing. The Bloodred Motley Stripe Corn Snake’s smooth coloration and consistent pattern make it a showpiece morph in naturalistic or display setups.

Special Considerations: Corn Snakes are adept climbers—ensure enclosures are securely latched. Naturalistic setups enhance coloration and help maintain healthy shedding cycles.

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Genetics Note

Bloodred (Diffused – Recessive)

Removes the checkered belly and dorsal pattern, producing a clean, uniform red appearance.

Motley (Recessive)

Reorganizes dorsal blotches into connected or circular shapes and removes the belly pattern, creating a smooth, symmetrical look.

Stripe (Recessive)

Transforms the dorsal pattern into two or more continuous stripes running the length of the body, often combining with Motley to produce a refined, linear flow.

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Genetic Combination Summary

The Bloodred Motley Stripe Corn Snake expresses three visible recessive traits:

• Bloodred (Diffused) = Deep, uniform red coloration with no belly pattern

• Motley = Smooth, connected dorsal pattern and uncheckered underside

• Stripe = Continuous dorsal striping, enhancing pattern flow and symmetry

Together, these traits produce one of the cleanest and most visually refined Corn Snakes available—a uniform red animal with flowing striping and minimal pattern interruption. The Bloodred Motley Stripe Corn Snake is admired for its balance of color, pattern, and simplicity, representing a pinnacle of modern Corn Snake breeding.