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Description
Corn Snake (Creamsicle Motley)
Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus × Pantherophis emoryi
Common Name: Corn Snake
Species Overview
Size: Adults typically reach 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) in length, with a slender, athletic build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Creamsicle Motley Corn Snake is a vibrant, hybrid-derived morph combining the bright orange and white contrast of the Amelanistic gene with the clean, organized pattern of the Motley gene. This Corn Snake displays a rich tangerine to orange base color with lighter cream or white saddle markings that connect or flow along the back in symmetrical chains. The belly is completely uncheckered—a hallmark of the Motley trait—and the head is often slightly lighter with subtle orange tones. Creamsicles are known for their intense warm coloration, often more saturated than standard Amelanistic Corn Snakes due to their historic Emory’s Rat Snake lineage. The result is a smooth, glowing orange-and-white snake that perfectly lives up to its dessert-inspired name.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), historically derived from early Corn Snake × Emory’s Rat Snake hybridization lines, later refined through generations of backcrossing to P. guttatus.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, meadows, and agricultural areas throughout the southeastern United States, while Emory’s Rat Snakes originate from more arid regions in the central plains. In captivity, Creamsicle Motley Corn Snakes thrive in naturalistic terrariums with climbing branches, secure hides, and loose substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, curious, and confident. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Creamsicle Motley Corn Snake retains the easygoing nature and strong feeding habits typical of Corn Snakes, with slightly elevated alertness and energy—traits inherited from their historical hybrid ancestry.
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 movement. 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%, 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 size should be roughly 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, alert, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in consistent, well-structured environments. The Creamsicle Motley Corn Snake’s energetic demeanor and bright coloration make it a popular display and educational species.
Special Considerations: While Creamsicles are historically hybrid in origin, most modern lineages are well-integrated into Corn Snake genetics and behave identically to pure P. guttatus. Their brighter orange coloration can fade slightly if exposed to excessive UV or direct light; provide shaded areas to preserve vibrancy.
Genetics Note
Amelanistic (Recessive)
Removes black and brown pigment, producing bright orange and white coloration with red eyes.
Motley (Recessive)
Removes belly checkering and connects dorsal blotches into smooth, linked shapes or stripes.
Hybrid Lineage (Historical Note)
Early Creamsicles originated from Corn Snake × Emory’s Rat Snake pairings, giving them slightly enhanced orange coloration. Modern lines are typically many generations removed from this origin but retain the name and color intensity.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Creamsicle Motley Corn Snake expresses two visible recessive traits:
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Amelanistic = Produces bright orange and white coloration with red eyes
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Motley = Creates a smooth, connected dorsal pattern and removes belly checkering
Together, these traits produce a Corn Snake with vivid orange tones, cream-white saddles, and a refined, unpatterned underside. The Creamsicle Motley Corn Snake is admired for its warm, glowing color palette and strong feeding temperament—serving as a cheerful, beginner-friendly morph that perfectly embodies the charm of the species.