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Description
Corn Snake (Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto)
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, agile body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto Corn Snake represents a wild-type appearance carrying two of the most visually distinct recessive traits in Corn Snake genetics. This Corn Snake displays the classic natural coloration—red or orange saddles bordered in black over an orange, tan, or gray base, with a checkered black-and-white belly. While its outward look mirrors the Normal (wild-type) Corn Snake, it carries hidden potential for Scaleless and Palmetto offspring. When bred to compatible partners, these hidden genes can produce snakes with either smooth, scale-free skin (Scaleless) or a brilliant white body with random speckles (Palmetto). The combination of these recessives makes this morph genetically valuable, blending the timeless look of the wild type with the foundation for some of the most striking modern varieties.
Distribution: A selectively bred Corn Snake (P. guttatus) displaying wild-type coloration but carrying Scaleless and Palmetto recessive traits.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas throughout the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that allow for climbing, hiding, and burrowing behaviors.
Behaviour: Alert, calm, and confident. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto Corn Snake retains the gentle, inquisitive nature characteristic of the species, making it equally suitable for display, education, or breeding.
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 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). Keep 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, hardy, and responsive. Corn Snakes thrive in naturalistic environments and tolerate regular, gentle handling. The Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto Corn Snake is particularly appealing for breeders aiming to produce visually dramatic morphs from a naturally patterned base.
Special Considerations: As a double heterozygous (DH) morph, this Corn Snake will not visually display Scaleless or Palmetto traits but can produce them when paired with matching carriers or visuals.
Genetics Note
Normal (Wild-Type)
Displays the standard red, orange, and black patterning typical of the species. Serves as the base genetic form for all morphs.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, which removes external scales when visual, creating a smooth, glossy appearance. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
het. Palmetto (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Palmetto gene, which produces an all-white body with scattered colored speckles when expressed.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto Corn Snake expresses the wild-type visual form but carries two hidden recessive traits:
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Normal = Displays natural red, orange, and black coloration
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het. Scaleless = Carrier for scale-removal mutation
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het. Palmetto = Carrier for white, speckled coloration
Together, these genes create a Corn Snake that outwardly resembles a classic Normal morph but possesses exceptional breeding potential. The Normal DH Scaleless Palmetto Corn Snake is a foundational genetic pairing snake—ideal for producing future generations of visually stunning Scaleless Palmettos and related combinations.