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ReptileTerrestrialEasy
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Corn Snake (Palmetto)
Pantherophis guttatus "Palmetto"
An epochal 'Patched Leucism' recessive mutation. It creates an immaculate, milky-white snake, playfully interrupted by isolated red, black, and orange scales.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Colubridae
Subfamily:Colubrinae
Genus:Pantherophis
Species:Pantherophis guttatus "Palmetto"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
40 - 60 %
Day temperature
24 - 28 °C
Ambient temperature
28 °C
Night temperature
20 - 22 °C
Basking spot
30 - 32 °C
Adult size
183 cm
Minimum enclosure
>= 500 L
UVB
Low/Medium
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A terrestrial predator and excellent climber widely distributed in open forests, cultivated fields, and grasslands of the southeastern United States. The common name famously derives from their historical habit of hunting rodents inside grain storage buildings (corn cribs), or from the checkered pattern on their belly that resembles Indian flint corn.
Taxonomy and Genetics: A slender, muscular colubrid capable of reaching 120-150 cm in length. While the wild type is bright orange with black-bordered red saddles, selective breeding has created a vast array of morphs: from the 'Palmetto' (a recessive patched leucism mutation resulting in a solid milky-white body with sparse red, black, and orange scales), to 'Snow' (pure white and pink), to 'Scaleless' mutations. They are non-venomous constrictors completely lacking fangs.
Behavior and Habits: A peaceful and docile species, making them the classic 'beginner snake'. They rarely bite defensively, preferring to retreat or vibrate their tail tip against dry leaves to mimic a rattlesnake. They are crepuscular and nocturnal, and are highly active explorers. Note: they are expert escape artists; any small gap or unsecured lid will result in escape.
Morphology: Adult females tend to be slightly longer and heavier than males of the same age, but there are no obvious coloration differences between the sexes.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A mature adult requires an enclosure of at least 100x45x45 cm or 120x45x45 cm. Enclosures must be highly secure with sliding locks or tight clips to prevent escape. Use dry, burrowable substrates like aspen shavings, dry coco husk, or Lignocel. Provide at least two tight-fitting hides (one in the warm zone, one in the cool zone) where the snake can curl up and feel the walls touching its body. Provide sturdy climbing branches.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a horizontal thermal gradient. The cool zone should be 22-24°C, while the warm zone should have an under-tank heat mat or ceramic heat emitter thermostatically controlled at 30-32°C. A thermostat is mandatory to prevent thermal burns. Turn off heating/light sources at night to allow a natural drop to 20-22°C.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain ambient humidity at 40-50%. Provide a shallow bowl of clean water for drinking. During the shedding process, a humid hide containing damp sphagnum moss or wet paper towels must be provided to ensure a complete shed and prevent stuck shed.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly carnivorous. Feed exclusively on thawed frozen mice. Never feed live prey, which can attack and injure the snake. Hatchlings eat one pinky mouse every 5-7 days; adults eat one large mouse every 10-14 days. Avoid handling the snake for 48-72 hours after feeding to prevent regurgitation.
Compatibility: Solitary animals. Keep individually to prevent stress, food competition, and potential aggression. They should not be housed with other species.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to respiratory infections if humidity is too high and ventilation is poor. Stuck sheds can constrict the tail tip or digits, leading to necrosis if not removed. Regurgitation can occur from handling too soon after a meal, which is highly damaging to their stomach flora.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
A terrestrial predator and excellent climber widely distributed in open forests, cultivated fields, and grasslands of the southeastern United States. The common name famously derives from their historical habit of hunting rodents inside grain storage buildings (corn cribs), or from the checkered pattern on their belly that resembles Indian flint corn.
Origin
Selective breeding and cultivarsNorth AmericaSouth and Southeast AsiaCosmopolitan or introduced
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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