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Description
Corn Snake (Scaleless Diffused)
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 lean, muscular body and a smooth, scale-free surface that highlights its coloration.
Appearance: The Scaleless Diffused Corn Snake is a clean, uniform morph that combines the Scaleless trait with the Diffused (Bloodred) recessive gene. This Corn Snake displays a solid red to reddish-orange body with very little to no visible patterning. The Diffused gene removes belly checkering and softens or eliminates dorsal markings, while the Scaleless trait further enhances the intensity and evenness of the coloration. The absence of scales gives the skin a glassy, reflective appearance, allowing light to accentuate the rich pigmentation beneath. The result is a vividly colored, nearly patternless snake with an ultra-smooth texture—one of the most refined and visually pure expressions of the Corn Snake’s red lineage.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), created through the combination of the Scaleless and Diffused (Bloodred) recessive genes.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit forest edges, fields, and agricultural zones throughout the southeastern United States. In captivity, this morph thrives in naturalistic terrariums designed with soft substrate, gentle climbing structures, and secure hides for comfort and safety.
Behaviour: Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active around dawn and dusk. They are hardy, adaptable, and excellent feeders, thriving in a range of captive conditions when provided with proper care.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is recommended for adults. Use a soft, non-abrasive substrate such as coconut fiber or soil mixtures to protect the skin. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, and smooth climbing branches. Avoid sharp or rough décor.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime temperature 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). Maintain humidity between 50–65%, providing 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 roughly 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body.
Behaviour in Captivity: Corn Snakes thrive in stable, well-structured environments. Scaleless individuals benefit from slightly higher humidity and softer furnishings to maintain healthy skin and smooth sheds.
Special Considerations: The Scaleless Diffused Corn Snake’s deep red coloration makes it a strong base for producing visually bold combinations. When paired with morphs such as Amelanistic, Hypo, or Lava, it can produce vibrant offspring like Scaleless Blood, Scaleless Lava Diffused, or other high-intensity red variants.
Genetics Note
Scaleless (Recessive)
Removes external scales, resulting in a smooth, glossy surface that enhances underlying color and contrast.
Diffused / Bloodred (Recessive)
Removes belly checkering and dorsal patterning, producing a uniform body color with a clean ventral surface.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Scaleless Diffused Corn Snake expresses two recessive traits:
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Scaleless = Eliminates scales, producing a reflective surface that enhances depth of color
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Diffused (Bloodred) = Removes dorsal and ventral patterns, creating a solid red or orange body
Together, these traits create a bold, monochromatic Corn Snake with unparalleled smoothness and color depth. The Scaleless Diffused Corn Snake is an ideal foundation for red-based projects and serves as a visually refined representation of the species’ most vivid pigmentation potential.