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Description
Corn Snake (Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood)
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 frame and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood Corn Snake displays the rich, traditional coloration of a wild-type Corn Snake while carrying three influential recessive traits—each capable of producing striking results in future pairings. This Corn Snake features bright orange to red dorsal saddles bordered in black, set over an orange-brown or tan background with a bold, checkered belly. While its external appearance mirrors that of a Normal Corn Snake, its hidden genetics tell a deeper story. The Shatter gene introduces chaotic pattern distortion when expressed, the Strawberry gene intensifies pink and red tones, and the Bloodred (Diffused) gene removes belly checkering and softens dorsal patterning. The combination of these recessive genes gives this snake exceptional potential for producing visually complex, deeply colored offspring when paired with compatible partners.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), displaying wild-type coloration while carrying Shatter, Strawberry, and Bloodred recessive traits.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit open forests, grasslands, and agricultural areas across the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums featuring climbing structures, hiding places, and loose substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, confident, and alert. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood Corn Snake retains the easygoing temperament and hardy feeding response typical of the species, making it suitable for both display and long-term breeding projects.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is recommended for adults. A soil-based or bioactive substrate layered with leaf litter encourages natural 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 of 86–88°F (30–31°C). Allow nighttime drops to 70°F (21°C). Maintain humidity between 40–60%, with a humid hide provided during shedding.
Diet: Feed 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, steady, and curious. Corn Snakes adapt well to handling and thrive in consistent, naturalistic environments. The Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood Corn Snake’s reliable demeanor and strong genetic profile make it both a beautiful display animal and an invaluable breeder.
Special Considerations: This morph is an excellent foundation for projects aimed at combining the bold pattern disruption of Shatter with the deep reds and pinks of Strawberry Bloodred lines.
Genetics Note
Normal (Wild-Type)
Displays the natural red, orange, and black coloration typical of wild Corn Snakes and serves as the base form for all morphs.
het. Shatter (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Shatter gene, which causes irregular, fragmented patterning when expressed. (“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 enhances pink and red pigmentation when expressed.
het. Bloodred / Diffused (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Bloodred (Diffused) gene, which removes belly checkering and softens or eliminates dorsal patterns when expressed.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood Corn Snake expresses the wild-type appearance but carries three valuable recessive traits:
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Normal = Displays natural red, orange, and black coloration
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het. Shatter = Carrier for irregular pattern disruption
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het. Strawberry = Carrier for pink and red pigment enhancement
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het. Bloodred / Diffused = Carrier for pattern and belly reduction
Together, these genes create a Corn Snake that looks traditional but holds immense breeding potential. The Normal het. Shatter Strawberry Blood Corn Snake is a genetic cornerstone for advanced projects, capable of producing visually diverse offspring ranging from chaotic Shatter Bloodreds to vibrantly pink Strawberry Diffused combinations.