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Description
Corn Snake (Caramel het. Scaleless 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 build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Caramel het. Scaleless Motley Corn Snake is a visually rich morph expressing the warm golden tones of the Caramel gene, with the hidden potential of both Scaleless and Motley traits. This Corn Snake features a soft caramel or golden-brown base color with lighter tan or amber dorsal blotches outlined in subtle gray or olive hues. The pattern tends to be clean and symmetrical, with reduced belly checkering and an overall refined appearance. While the Scaleless and Motley genes are not visually expressed here, they influence the smoothness and brightness of the coloration—often giving individuals a slightly glossier sheen and cleaner pattern edges. When expressed visually, these hidden traits can produce striking patternless or glass-like snakes, making this combination an important foundation for advanced breeding projects.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed from Caramel lineages combined with Scaleless and Motley carriers.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit open forests, grasslands, and farmland throughout the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that encourage both climbing and burrowing behavior.
Behaviour: Calm, intelligent, and consistent. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, showing peak activity at dawn and dusk. The Caramel het. Scaleless Motley Corn Snake retains the species’ steady temperament and ease of care, making it a reliable and attractive addition to any collection.
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 encourage natural burrowing. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, climbing branches, and plants to create a secure, enriched 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: Feed frozen-thawed rodents every 7–10 days for juveniles and every 10–14 days for adults. Prey should be about 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, confident, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in structured, naturalistic setups and are highly adaptable to handling routines. The Caramel het. Scaleless Motley Corn Snake’s warm coloration and genetic potential make it both a beautiful display animal and an important breeder for producing high-contrast scaleless offspring.
Special Considerations: Corn Snakes are excellent escape artists—ensure enclosure lids are secure. Gentle lighting helps bring out the warm gold and bronze tones of Caramel morphs.
Genetics Note
Caramel (Recessive)
Removes red pigmentation and enhances yellow and brown tones, producing rich golden to bronze coloration.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, which removes external scales when visual, producing a smooth, glass-like appearance. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
het. Motley (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Motley gene, which removes belly checkering and organizes dorsal blotches into cleaner, connected shapes.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Caramel het. Scaleless Motley Corn Snake expresses one visible recessive trait and carries two hidden genes:
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Caramel = Produces golden to bronze coloration and reduces red tones
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het. Scaleless = Carrier for smooth, scale-free body texture
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het. Motley = Carrier for belly pattern reduction and connected dorsal markings
Together, these genes create a Corn Snake with warm coloration, smooth visual appeal, and the potential to produce highly sought-after morphs such as Scaleless Caramel Motley or Butter Scaleless. The Caramel het. Scaleless Motley Corn Snake is a perfect blend of beauty and genetic value—equally suited for naturalistic display or advanced breeding programs.