Corn Snake (Tessera)

Corn Snake (Tessera)

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, agile body and smooth, glossy scales.

Appearance: The Tessera Corn Snake is a striking, modern morph known for its clean linear patterning and exceptional symmetry. The Tessera gene produces a single, unbroken dorsal stripe that runs from head to tail, accompanied by symmetrical, checkerboard-like side markings. This gives the snake a sleek, streamlined appearance that stands apart from traditional saddled patterns. The background colour varies widely depending on lineage, often displaying bright orange, red, brown, or grey tones. The scales exhibit a smooth sheen, and the precise striping enhances the snake’s length and definition. Simple yet elegant, the Tessera is one of the most visually balanced and versatile pattern morphs in the species.

Distribution: A selectively bred form of the Corn Snake (P. guttatus), developed from a naturally occurring dominant mutation.

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, consistent feeders that adapt easily to stable care conditions, making them excellent for both breeders and new keepers.

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 a bioactive blend. Provide multiple hides, cork bark, and climbing décor to promote exploration and reduce stress.

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 temperatures to drop to 70°F (21°C). Keep humidity between 45–60%, and provide a humid hide or moss pocket 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, curious, and active during twilight hours. They thrive with consistent husbandry, predictable feeding, and moderate handling.

Special Considerations: The Tessera Corn Snake is a foundational morph in modern Corn Snake breeding. Because the Tessera gene is dominant, it can be easily paired with almost any colour or pattern trait to produce unique combinations, such as Tessera Amel, Tessera Caramel, or Tessera Bloodred. Its clean striping and compatibility make it one of the most desirable and widely used pattern genes in Corn Snake genetics.

Genetics Note

Tessera (Dominant): Produces a sharp, continuous dorsal stripe with symmetrical side markings, emphasizing precision and structure.

Genetic Combination Summary

The Tessera Corn Snake expresses a single dominant trait:

• Tessera (Dominant): Creates structured, unbroken dorsal striping and balanced side markings.

This single-gene morph offers clean, refined patterning and is compatible with nearly all colour morphs. The Tessera Corn Snake is both visually elegant and genetically versatile—an essential foundation morph for breeding projects emphasizing symmetry, contrast, and refinement.