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Description
Corn Snake (Caramel het. Amel 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 lean, muscular body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Caramel het. Amel Motley Corn Snake displays the rich, golden tones of the Caramel gene combined with the hidden potential of the Amelanistic and Motley recessive traits. This Corn Snake exhibits a warm caramel-to-bronze body color with light tan or amber saddle markings outlined in soft brown or olive tones. The background hue often deepens with age, producing a radiant golden sheen under natural lighting. The belly is light and faintly checkered, while the head may feature a subtle spear marking typical of the species. Though the Amel and Motley genes are not visually expressed here, their presence offers significant genetic potential—future offspring can display lighter, more uniform coloration or even the smooth, patternless belly associated with Motley. The combination of visible warmth and recessive depth makes this morph both elegant and valuable for breeders.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed through combinations of Caramel, Amelanistic, and Motley lineages in captivity.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, meadows, and farmland across the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that provide climbing opportunities, secure hides, and natural substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, intelligent, and adaptable. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Caramel het. Amel Motley Corn Snake retains the species’ dependable temperament and curious nature, making it an ideal animal for both breeding and display.
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 exploration. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, climbing branches, and plant cover to create a secure and enriching environment.
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%, 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 snake’s mid-body width.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, steady, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in naturalistic setups and respond well to consistent care. The Caramel het. Amel Motley Corn Snake’s golden hues and smooth temperament make it a visually appealing and genetically strategic addition to any collection.
Special Considerations: Naturalistic setups with soft lighting enhance the warm golden coloration of Caramel morphs. Always ensure the enclosure is escape-proof, as Corn Snakes are skilled climbers.
Genetics Note
Caramel (Recessive)
Removes red pigmentation while enriching yellows and browns, producing golden or amber tones.
het. Amel (Amelanistic – Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Amelanistic gene, which removes black and brown pigment when expressed, resulting in bright red and white coloration. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not expressed.)
het. Motley (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Motley gene, which organizes dorsal blotches into connected or circular patterns and removes belly checkering when expressed.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Caramel het. Amel Motley Corn Snake expresses one visible recessive trait and carries two hidden genes:
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Caramel = Produces golden to bronze coloration with soft patterning
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het. Amel (Amelanistic) = Carrier for pigment-removal mutation that brightens coloration
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het. Motley = Carrier for pattern-smoothing mutation that reduces belly checkering
Together, these genes create a Corn Snake with a warm golden appearance and strong genetic potential. The Caramel het. Amel Motley Corn Snake is valued for its beauty, gentle nature, and versatility—serving as a foundational animal for producing morphs such as Butter, Motley Butter, or Amel Caramel Stripe.