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Description
Corn Snake (Scaleless Tessera het. Caramel)
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 but muscular build and a smooth, reflective, scale-free surface.
Appearance: The Scaleless Tessera het. Caramel Corn Snake combines the clean, linear striping of the Tessera gene with the striking sheen of the Scaleless trait and carries one copy of the Caramel gene. This Corn Snake displays vivid orange to red coloration with a bold, uninterrupted dorsal stripe and orderly lateral striping along the body. The lack of scales enhances brightness and color clarity, producing a glossy, almost liquid appearance. While the Caramel gene is not visually expressed in this heterozygous form, it contributes genetic potential for producing offspring with rich golden or bronze tones when bred to compatible partners. The combination of Scaleless and Tessera creates one of the cleanest, most refined appearances in the species.
Distribution: A selectively bred morph of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed through the combination of Scaleless (recessive) and Tessera (dominant) traits, carrying a single copy of the Caramel (recessive) gene.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit a variety of ecosystems across the southeastern United States, including woodlands, grasslands, and farmlands. In captivity, they thrive in naturalistic terrariums with soft substrate, smooth climbing décor, and secure hiding places.
Behaviour: Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. They are hardy, adaptable, and consistent feeders, performing well as both display and breeding animals.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. Use soft, non-abrasive substrate such as soil, coconut fiber, or bioactive mixes. Provide multiple hides, cork flats, and smooth branches. Avoid sharp décor to protect the snake’s scale-free skin.
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). Maintain humidity between 50–65%, and provide a humid hide during shedding to ensure clean skin release.
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-maintained environments. Scaleless individuals benefit from soft furnishings and moderate humidity for optimal skin health and shedding.
Special Considerations: The Scaleless Tessera het. Caramel Corn Snake is an excellent breeder’s animal, capable of producing Scaleless Tessera Caramel or Scaleless Butter offspring when paired with other Caramel or Amelanisticcarriers. Its strong genetic base and clean patterning make it an ideal addition to projects emphasizing bright gold or high-contrast combinations.
Genetics Note
Scaleless (Recessive)
Removes external scales, producing a smooth, reflective surface that enhances color saturation and contrast.
Tessera (Dominant)
Creates a clean, unbroken dorsal stripe with symmetrical lateral striping. A single copy is enough to express the trait.
het. Caramel (Recessive Carrier)
Carries one copy of the Caramel gene, which reduces red pigmentation and enhances yellow and bronze tones when visual. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not displayed.)
Genetic Combination Summary
The Scaleless Tessera het. Caramel Corn Snake expresses one dominant and one recessive trait while carrying a second recessive:
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Scaleless = Removes scales, creating a glossy, smooth surface
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Tessera = Produces a clean dorsal stripe with orderly side patterns
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het. Caramel = Carrier for warm gold and bronze coloration
Together, these genetics produce a vibrant, high-contrast Corn Snake with genetic potential to produce luminous gold or bronze offspring in future pairings. The Scaleless Tessera het. Caramel Corn Snake combines elegance and breeding value, making it a standout both visually and genetically.