Corn Snake (Tessera Het Scaleless Amel)

Corn Snake (Tessera het. Scaleless Amel)

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, athletic body and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Tessera het. Scaleless Amel Corn Snake is a visually sharp, warm-toned morph that combines the crisp, continuous striping of Tessera with the bright coloration of Amel (amelanism), while carrying the recessive Scaleless gene. The Amel gene removes all black pigmentation, producing vivid reds, oranges, and creamy whites throughout the body. The Tessera pattern enhances these tones by forming an even, unbroken dorsal stripe with symmetrical side markings, resulting in a clean and polished appearance. Although the Scaleless gene is not expressed in this heterozygous form, it introduces strong genetic potential for smooth, scale-free offspring when bred with another carrier or Scaleless visual. The overall effect is a radiant, well-defined Corn Snake with excellent breeding value and a refined visual presence.

Distribution: A selectively bred form of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), combining Tessera (dominant), Amel (recessive), and one copy of Scaleless (recessive carrier).

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 and naturally curious. They are hardy, consistent feeders that adapt well to stable care conditions and routine handling, making them an excellent species for both new and experienced keepers.

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Captive Care

Enclosure: A naturalistic 40-gallon terrarium (36” × 18” × 18”) or larger is ideal for adults. Use a soft, moisture-retentive substrate such as soil, coconut fibre, or a bioactive mix. Provide multiple hides, cork bark, and climbing décor to promote exploration and security.

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 during shedding.

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, gentle, and active during twilight hours. They thrive with consistent husbandry, regular feeding, and moderate handling.

Special Considerations: The Tessera het. Scaleless Amel Corn Snake is a highly valuable breeding animal for developing smooth-scaled, vividly coloured morphs. When bred with another Scaleless carrier or visual, it can produce Tessera Scaleless Amel offspring—snakes that retain the same bright colours and precise striping but lack scales entirely. This combination is popular among breeders focusing on vibrant, scale-free morph lines.

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Genetics Note

Tessera (Dominant): Produces a crisp, unbroken dorsal stripe and symmetrical side markings.
Amel (Recessive): Removes black pigmentation, revealing bright red, orange, and white tones.
het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier): Carries one copy of the Scaleless gene, which removes scales entirely when visual. (“het” is short for heterozygous, meaning one copy is carried but not expressed.)

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Genetic Combination Summary

The Tessera het. Scaleless Amel Corn Snake expresses two visible traits and carries a third:

• Tessera (Dominant): Creates structured, symmetrical dorsal and lateral striping.

• Amel (Recessive): Eliminates dark pigmentation, emphasizing warm red and orange hues.

• het. Scaleless (Recessive Carrier): Provides potential for smooth, scaleless offspring when bred with compatible mates.

Together, these genetics produce a clean, high-contrast Corn Snake with exceptional breeding potential. The Tessera het. Scaleless Amel Corn Snake is both visually appealing and genetically strategic—ideal for collections or projects focusing on bright, scale-free morph development.