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Description
Corn Snake (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, streamlined build and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Palmetto Corn Snake is one of the most visually unique morphs in the species, instantly recognizable for its strikingly clean white appearance scattered with colorful speckles. This Corn Snake features a pure white body overlaid with random spots of orange, red, brown, gray, or black—each unique to the individual. The eyes are typically dark with a bluish-gray hue, standing out vividly against the pale head. The Palmetto’s pattern results from a rare genetic mutation that suppresses normal pigment expression, allowing isolated pigment cells to form scattered specks instead. No two Palmetto Corn Snakes are ever identical, making each one a living work of art.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), first discovered in South Carolina as a spontaneous mutation.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forests, grasslands, and agricultural landscapes across the southeastern United States. In captivity, Palmetto Corn Snakes thrive in naturalistic terrariums that provide secure hiding areas, climbing opportunities, and soft substrate for burrowing.
Behaviour: Calm, observant, and reliable. Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. The Palmetto Corn Snake retains the gentle nature and strong feeding response typical of the species, making it an ideal pet for keepers seeking both beauty and temperament.
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 exploration and burrowing. 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: 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, curious, and consistent. Corn Snakes thrive in structured, naturalistic enclosures. The Palmetto Corn Snake’s stunning appearance and gentle personality make it one of the most sought-after morphs in the hobby.
Special Considerations: Lighting and substrate contrast enhance the Palmetto’s speckling; neutral or darker backgrounds help highlight the unique color spots across its body.
Genetics Note
Palmetto (Recessive)
A rare, single-gene recessive mutation that suppresses most pigmentation while allowing isolated pigment cells to express as random, multicolored speckles across a white background. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed; only homozygous individuals show the Palmetto pattern.)
Genetic Combination Summary
The Palmetto Corn Snake expresses one visible recessive trait:
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Palmetto = Suppresses most pigment, creating a white body with scattered color speckles
This morph produces one of the most distinct appearances in the species—minimalist yet vibrant. The Palmetto Corn Snake is a modern icon of Corn Snake breeding, prized for its clean coloration, genetic rarity, and the individuality of every specimen.