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Description
Corn Snake (Tessera het. Blood/Amel/Caramel/Hypo)
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, athletic body and smooth, glossy scales.
Appearance: The Tessera het. Blood/Amel/Caramel/Hypo Corn Snake is a visually striking and genetically diverse morph. The Tessera pattern forms a crisp, unbroken dorsal stripe running from head to tail, with symmetrical, organized side markings that emphasize structure and length. The snake’s base colour typically includes rich oranges, reds, and browns depending on lineage, often exhibiting subtle warmth from the hidden genes it carries. Though the recessive traits—Bloodred, Amel, Caramel, and Hypo—are not visually expressed, each plays a vital role in determining future offspring potential. When paired with compatible partners, this morph can produce a wide range of vibrant colour combinations, from deep crimson to buttery gold or bright coral tones. The result is an attractive, balanced Corn Snake with exceptional breeding value.
Distribution: A selectively bred form of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), carrying Tessera (dominant) alongside four recessive heterozygous traits: Bloodred, Amel, Caramel, and Hypo.
Habitat: Wild Corn Snakes inhabit a range of habitats across the southeastern United States, including forests, fields, and agricultural areas. In captivity, this morph thrives in naturalistic terrariums with soft substrate, climbing branches, and secure hiding areas.
Behaviour: Corn Snakes are crepuscular, most active during dawn and dusk. They are hardy, dependable feeders that adapt easily to consistent care routines, making them suitable for both new keepers and experienced breeders.
Captive Care
Enclosure: A 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. Use soft, moisture-retentive substrate such as soil, coconut fibre, or bioactive blends. Provide multiple hides, cork bark, and climbing décor to encourage natural activity.
Temperature & Humidity: Maintain a daytime gradient of 75–82°F (24–28°C) with a basking area near 86–88°F (30–31°C). Allow nighttime drops to 70°F (21°C). Keep humidity between 45–60%, and provide a humid hide or moss area during shedding cycles.
Diet: Offer frozen-thawed rodents approximately 1.25× the width of the snake’s mid-body. Feed juveniles every 7–10 days and adults every 10–14 days.
Behaviour in Captivity: Corn Snakes are calm, curious, and adaptable. They thrive with consistent care, gentle handling, and predictable feeding routines.
Special Considerations: The Tessera het. Blood/Amel/Caramel/Hypo Corn Snake is an excellent breeder’s animal due to its wide range of recessive genes. It can produce multiple morphs depending on pairings, including Butter Tessera, Sunglow Tessera, Bloodred Tessera, and Hypo Tessera offspring. Its combination of pattern precision and genetic potential makes it a cornerstone in multi-gene breeding projects.
Genetics Note
Tessera (Dominant): Produces a clean, continuous dorsal stripe and symmetrical side markings.
het. Blood (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Bloodred/Diffused gene, which smooths pattern edges and removes belly checkering when visual. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not expressed.)
het. Amel (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Amelanistic gene, which removes black pigment and brightens reds and oranges when visual.
het. Caramel (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Caramel gene, responsible for reducing reds and intensifying golden and brown tones when visual.
het. Hypo (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Hypo gene, which softens overall colour contrast and enhances brightness when visual.
Genetic Combination Summary
The Tessera het. Blood/Amel/Caramel/Hypo Corn Snake expresses one visible trait and carries four hidden genes:
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Tessera (Dominant): Creates refined, linear dorsal and side striping.
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het. Blood (Recessive Carrier): Removes belly patterning and softens contrast when visual.
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het. Amel (Recessive Carrier): Produces vivid red and orange tones when visual.
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het. Caramel (Recessive Carrier): Adds gold and bronze coloration when visual.
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het. Hypo (Recessive Carrier): Reduces black pigmentation and enhances overall brightness when visual.
Together, these genetics produce a versatile and visually appealing Corn Snake with immense breeding potential. The Tessera het. Blood/Amel/Caramel/Hypo Corn Snake is an ideal investment morph for breeders focused on developing high-colour, multi-gene lineages.