Corn Snake (Salmon Snow)

Corn Snake (Salmon Snow)

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 slender but strong frame and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Salmon Snow Corn Snake is a soft-toned, blushed variation of the classic Snow morph, created by combining Amelanistic (Albino) and Anerythristic recessive traits, with the addition of the selectively bred Salmonlineage. This Corn Snake displays a creamy white or pale pink base color accented by delicate rose or peach hues along the saddles and flanks. The eyes are ruby red, typical of amelanistic morphs, and the overall tone leans warmer than a standard Snow due to the Salmon influence. As they mature, some individuals develop stronger pastel pink highlights, while others retain an almost frosted white appearance with gentle pink undertones.

Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed through the combination of Amelanistic and Anerythristic recessive genes, refined through Salmon line breeding to enhance pink pigmentation.

Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit open forests, farmlands, and grasslands across the southeastern United States. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums that include climbing branches, soft substrate, and secure hiding areas.

Behaviour: Corn Snakes are crepuscular, active primarily around dawn and dusk. They are hardy, adaptable, and consistent feeders, well suited for both display and breeding collections.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal 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 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: Corn Snakes thrive under stable environmental conditions and regular feeding schedules. They are active, exploratory snakes that benefit from a well-decorated enclosure offering varied textures and hiding opportunities.

Special Considerations: The Salmon Snow Corn Snake serves as an ideal base for enhancing pink or pastel color expression in future pairings. When bred with Hypo, Coral, or Strawberry lines, offspring may display even stronger pink and blush tones, creating highly desirable visual outcomes.

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Genetics Note

Amelanistic (Recessive)

Removes all black pigment, producing red, orange, and white coloration with red eyes.

Anerythristic (Recessive)

Removes red pigment, producing grayscale coloration when expressed alone.

Salmon (Polygenic Line Trait)

A selectively bred lineage within Snow and Amel morphs that enhances pink, coral, and blush pigmentation.

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Genetic Combination Summary

The Salmon Snow Corn Snake expresses two recessive and one polygenic trait:

• Amelanistic = Removes black pigment, producing bright white and red tones

• Anerythristic = Removes red pigment, resulting in the white base color of Snows

• Salmon Line = Enhances pink and coral hues through selective breeding

Together, these genetics create a pastel-white Corn Snake with gentle pink or peach highlights. The Salmon Snow Corn Snake is a refined, line-bred enhancement of the classic Snow morph, prized by breeders for its soft color palette and potential in future pink-focused or coral-toned combinations.