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Corn Snake (Tessera)
Pantherophis guttatus "Tessera"
The Tessera morph features a highly distinct, continuous dorsal stripe and mosaic-like side patterns. An exceptionally docile and hardy pet snake.
Class:Squamata
Order:Squamata
Family:Colubridae
Subfamily:Colubrinae
Genus:Pantherophis
Species:Pantherophis guttatus "Tessera"
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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: A captive-bred morph of the Corn Snake, originally native to the southeastern United States. The species naturally inhabits grasslands, pine forests, agricultural fields, and suburban areas.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Colubridae. The 'Tessera' morph is a dominant mutation that alters the pattern, turning the classic dorsal saddles into a solid, unbroken stripe running down the spine, with pixelated, mosaic-like sides.
Behavior and Habits: Crepuscular and nocturnal. They are widely celebrated for their gentle and curious nature, making them excellent pets. They are skilled climbers and notorious escape artists, requiring highly secure terrariums with locking lids.
Morphology: Slender and muscular body reaching 120-150 cm. The 'Tessera' morph features a solid stripe down the spine and pixelated side designs. Both sexes are visually identical. Males tend to have longer tails and a broader tail base due to the hemipenes, which is verified by probing.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: A secure horizontal enclosure (minimum 100x45x45 cm for an adult) is required. Secure with a terrarium lock. Use a dry, burrowing substrate such as aspen shavings. Provide at least two tight hides (one warm, one cool) and sturdy climbing branches.
Lighting and Heating: Provide a horizontal thermal gradient: cool side at 22–24°C, warm side floor at 30–32°C controlled by a thermostat. Allow a night drop to 20–22°C. A 2–5% UVB light is recommended for daily cycles and bone health.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain moderate humidity levels of 40–50%. Provide a large water bowl for drinking and soaking. During shedding, a humid hide filled with damp sphagnum moss is required to prevent stuck sheds.
Feeding and Supplementation: Strictly carnivores. Feed frozen-thawed mice of appropriate size. Feed hatchlings every 5–7 days and adults every 10–14 days. Do not handle for 48 hours after feeding to prevent regurgitation.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. House individually to prevent stress and accidents.
Health and Common Diseases: Use a thermostat to prevent severe thermal burns from heat pads. Stuck sheds (dysecdysis) can occur if a humid hide is missing. Never feed live prey, as rodents can injure the snake.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
A captive-bred morph of the Corn Snake, originally native to the southeastern United States. The species naturally inhabits grasslands, pine forests, agricultural fields, and suburban areas.
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.
Related species
Recommendations grouped by close relatives, companion choices, and similar care.
