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Corn snake Bloodred / Diffused
Pantherophis guttatus "Bloodred / Diffused"
A stunning color morph of the corn snake, characterized by a solid, deep red coloration and a clean belly, due to the diffused gene dissolving the patterns.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Colubridae
Subfamily:Colubrinae
Genus:Pantherophis
Species:Pantherophis guttatus "Bloodred / Diffused"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 50 %
Day temperature
21 - 32 °C
Night temperature
18 - 21 °C
Adult size
183 cm
UVB
Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: The wild corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana. It occupies pine forests, hardwood hammocks, grasslands, agricultural fields, and abandoned farm buildings where rodent populations are high. The 'Bloodred / Diffused' morph is a captive-bred selection originally derived from wild stock collected in Gainesville, Florida, known for reduced patterning.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Colubridae, genus Pantherophis, and species Pantherophis guttatus. The 'Bloodred' morph is controlled by the recessive 'diffused' gene. This gene alters color development by removing the black borders around the dorsal saddles and causes the red/orange pigment to blend together as the snake matures, while also eliminating the characteristic black-and-white checkered pattern on the belly.
Behavior and Habits: Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal, although they can be active during overcast days. It is a highly docile, inquisitive snake that adapts exceptionally well to handling, making it a favorite for beginners. A semi-arboreal constrictor, it will actively explore its environment, climbing branches and burrowing into loose substrate. In captivity, they can undergo winter brumation to stimulate breeding.
Morphology: Features a slender, muscular body with a head slightly wider than the neck. Adult specimens average between 90 and 120 cm in length, rarely exceeding 150 cm. Hatchlings are born with distinct dorsal saddles, but as they age, the red pigment 'diffuses' across the flanks, resulting in a solid brick-red or rich orange-red adult coloration with faded lateral patterns and a solid white or cream-colored belly.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: An adult requires an escape-proof terrarium measuring at least 100x50x50 cm. The substrate should be 5-7 cm deep, using dust-free aspen shavings, coconut husk, or cypress mulch to allow natural burrowing behavior. Provide sturdy climbing branches, artificial foliage, at least two dry hide boxes (one warm, one cool), and a humid hide containing damp moss.
Lighting and Heating: Create a clear daytime temperature gradient: 22-24°C (72-75°F) at the cool end and 28-30°C (82-86°F) at the warm end under a heat source. Night temperatures can drop to 20°C (68°F). While UVB lighting is not strictly necessary for survival, a low-intensity 5.0 UVB bulb is highly recommended to stimulate natural behavior and enhance their red coloration.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate relative humidity between 45% and 60%. During shedding cycles, mist the enclosure lightly or ensure the humid hide is damp to assist in clean sheds. A heavy, non-tip water dish must always be present, large enough for the snake to submerge its body, and filled with fresh water daily.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly carnivorous. Feed thawed, pre-killed mice appropriate to the width of the snake's body. Juveniles should be fed pinky mice every 5-7 days, while adults eat one adult mouse every 10-14 days. Feed using long metal tongs to avoid accidental bites. Dietary supplements are generally unnecessary if high-quality rodents are fed.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Never house multiple corn snakes together in the same enclosure. Cohabitation causes chronic stress, increases the risk of injuries during feeding, and can lead to rare but documented cases of cannibalism, particularly among hatchlings and juveniles.
Health and Common Diseases: Common health issues include retained sheds (especially tail tips due to low humidity), respiratory infections (from cold drafts or dirty substrate), scale mites (Ophionyssus natricis), and obesity from overfeeding. Spot clean waste weekly and deep clean the enclosure monthly with reptile-safe disinfectants.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
The wild corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is native to the eastern and southeastern United States, ranging from New Jersey south to Florida and west to Louisiana. It occupies pine forests, hardwood hammocks, grasslands, agricultural fields, and abandoned farm buildings where rodent populations are high. The 'Bloodred / Diffused' morph is a captive-bred selection originally derived from wild stock collected in Gainesville, Florida, known for reduced patterning.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsNorth America
Reptile profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 183 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 183 cm. The ReptTraits v1.2 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 183 cm for this species, recorded as total length (TL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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