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Description
Corn Snake (Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery)
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 slender but sturdy build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery Corn Snake combines multiple color-modifying genes for a refined, cool-toned look with subtle warmth. This Corn Snake displays silvery-gray to taupe body coloration, gently accented by faded saddles in soft beige or tan. The Hypomelanistic gene removes black pigment, lightening the overall contrast, while the Charcoal gene eliminates red pigment, resulting in soft, smoky tones. The presence of Sunkissed, Strawberry, and Anerythristic genes as heterozygous (carried but not expressed) can further influence the base color—sometimes lending a faint peach or rose tint beneath the gray. The overall result is a smooth, understated morph with a balanced blend of cool and warm hues, making it an ideal foundation for a wide range of visually stunning future combinations.
Distribution: A selectively bred combination of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), produced through crossing Hypomelanistic and Charcoal lines with multiple recessive carriers to expand breeding versatility.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit woodlands, grasslands, and agricultural zones throughout the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that provide secure hiding areas, climbing opportunities, and deep substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, inquisitive, and adaptable. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery Corn Snake maintains the steady temperament and strong feeding habits typical of the species, making it both a dependable pet and a genetically valuable breeder.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger works well 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 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%, 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 width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Calm, tolerant, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in well-structured, naturalistic setups. The Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery Corn Snake’s soft coloration and complex genetics make it an excellent choice for those interested in breeding subtle, elegant morphs.
Special Considerations: The wide range of heterozygous genes in this individual allows for highly variable offspring, potentially expressing morphs such as Ghost, Pewter, or Coral-type combinations depending on pairings.
Genetics Note
Hypomelanistic (Recessive)
Reduces black pigment, lightening contrast and enhancing warm tones.
Charcoal (Recessive)
Removes red pigment and produces cool gray and silver coloration, often resulting in a ghostly, desaturated look.
het. Sunkissed (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Sunkissed gene, which smooths pattern edges and enhances brightness. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
het. Strawberry (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Strawberry gene, which adds pink and red undertones when expressed, especially in lighter morphs.
het. Anerythristic (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Anerythristic gene, which removes red pigment, leading to grayscale coloration when visual.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery Corn Snake expresses two visible recessive traits and carries three hidden ones:
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Hypomelanistic = Reduces black pigment, lightening and softening contrast
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Charcoal = Removes red pigment, creating smoky gray coloration
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het. Sunkissed = Carrier for pattern-smoothing and brightness enhancement
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het. Strawberry = Carrier for red-tone enrichment
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het. Anerythristic = Carrier for grayscale expression
Together, these genes create a Corn Snake with smooth, muted tones and exceptional breeding potential. The Hypo Charcoal het. Sunkissed/Strawberry/Anery Corn Snake is a prime example of balanced color genetics—refined, subtle, and capable of producing both vibrant and pastel-toned offspring in future generations.