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Description
Corn Snake (Candy Cane het. Blood)
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 lean, muscular body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Candy Cane het. Blood Corn Snake is a vibrant and high-contrast morph that showcases crisp red-on-white coloration reminiscent of its festive namesake. This Corn Snake features a pure white or very pale cream base color with deep red to orange-red saddle markings arranged cleanly along the back. The contrast between the red saddles and the light background intensifies with age, giving mature individuals a striking, almost painted appearance. The eyes are bright red due to the absence of melanin, and the belly is lightly checkered or nearly white. The het. Blooddesignation indicates the snake carries one copy of the Bloodred (Diffused) gene, which, while not visible here, can influence cleaner patterning and deeper red tones in future offspring. Overall, the morph balances elegance and vibrancy, standing as one of the most recognizable albino pattern expressions in Corn Snakes.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed by refining the Amelanistic trait to produce clear white backgrounds and vivid red saddles.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes are found across the southeastern United States in forests, meadows, and farmland. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with climbing structures, hides, and loose substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, observant, and easy to manage. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Candy Cane het. Blood Corn Snake retains the species’ gentle disposition and strong feeding response, making it suitable for both display and breeding collections.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. Use a soil-based or bioactive substrate layered with leaf litter to promote natural behaviors like burrowing and scent 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). 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 approximately 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, steady, and inquisitive. Corn Snakes are highly adaptable and thrive in naturalistic environments. The Candy Cane het. Blood Corn Snake’s striking contrast and gentle demeanor make it a standout display morph.
Special Considerations: Provide shaded areas, as amelanistic Corn Snakes can be more sensitive to bright light. Naturalistic setups help maintain hydration and support proper shedding.
Genetics Note
Amelanistic (Recessive)
Removes black and brown pigmentation, producing vivid red, orange, and white coloration with bright red eyes.
het. Blood (Diffused – Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Bloodred (Diffused) gene, which removes belly checkering and dorsal patterning when visual. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not expressed.)
Genetic Combination Summary
The Candy Cane het. Blood Corn Snake expresses one visible recessive trait and carries one hidden gene:
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Amelanistic = Creates red-on-white coloration with bright red eyes
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het. Blood (Diffused) = Carrier for solid red coloration and reduced pattern
Together, these genes produce a vibrant white-and-red Corn Snake with the potential to yield solid crimson or patternless offspring when bred to compatible partners. The Candy Cane het. Blood Corn Snake is both visually iconic and genetically valuable—a timeless classic that represents the bright, clean side of Corn Snake genetics.