Corn Snake (Hypo Pewter)

Corn Snake (Hypo Pewter)

Scientific Name: Pantherophis guttatus
Common Name: Corn Snake

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Species Overview

Size: Adults typically reach 3–5 feet (0.9–1.5 m) in length, with a lean, well-proportioned body and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Hypo Pewter Corn Snake is a cool-toned, silvery morph combining the Hypomelanistic, Charcoal, and Diffused (Bloodred) genes to create a clean, metallic gray appearance with soft undertones. This Corn Snake features a smooth gradient of silver, taupe, and pale lavender-gray along its body, with faint saddle markings that often fade completely toward the tail. The belly is patternless and cream-colored, a defining feature of the Diffused gene, while the Hypo influence lightens the overall look, removing harsh contrast and dark pigment. The result is a snake that seems to shimmer under natural lighting, appearing sleek and refined—like brushed pewter metal brought to life.

Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), originating from combinations of Hypomelanistic, Charcoal, and Diffused (Bloodred) lines.

Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forests, fields, and agricultural landscapes across the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic enclosures that provide ground cover, climbing opportunities, and secure hiding spaces.

Behaviour: Calm, alert, and steady. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active around dawn and dusk. The Hypo Pewter Corn Snake retains the species’ dependable temperament and consistent feeding behavior, making it an excellent choice for both hobbyists and breeders.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger suits adults well. Use a soil-based or bioactive substrate layered with leaf litter to encourage burrowing and exploration. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, branches, and plants to promote natural activity.

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 available 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, curious, and easy to handle. Corn Snakes thrive in consistent, naturalistic environments. The Hypo Pewter Corn Snake’s smooth silver coloration and mild temperament make it a standout both for display and advanced breeding projects.

Special Considerations: As with all gray-based morphs, lighting dramatically influences appearance—natural or soft-spectrum lighting best highlights the subtle metallic sheen of this morph.

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Genetics Note

Hypomelanistic (Recessive)

Reduces black pigment, softening contrast and brightening overall coloration.

Charcoal (Recessive)

Removes red pigment, creating cool silver-gray tones.

Diffused / Bloodred (Recessive)

Removes belly checkering and dorsal patterning, producing smooth, even coloration.

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Genetic Combination Summary

The Hypo Pewter Corn Snake expresses three visible recessive traits:

• Hypomelanistic = Brightens overall coloration and reduces dark pigment

• Charcoal = Removes red pigment for gray-silver coloration

• Diffused (Bloodred) = Removes belly checkering and softens pattern

Together, these genes create a Corn Snake with sleek, metallic silver coloration and minimal patterning. The Hypo Pewter Corn Snake is admired for its refined appearance and balanced tone—an elegant example of modern Corn Snake genetics that continues to inspire new combination morphs such as Lavender Pewter and Ghost Pewter.