Category: Morphs

SUPER Salmon Snow 2014

SUPER Coral Snow (aka: SUPER Salmon Snow) 

Most Commonly Used Name: SUPER Coral or SUPER Salmon Snow
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive & Dominant
Morph Type: Mutation Compound ( Anery & Amel) + Dominant Red Mask Mutation (Strawberry?)

Eye color:  RED pupils

 

The Coral Snow-types featured here are general in nature.  That is to say, when we cannot denote heritage to respective Salmon, Neon, Bubblegum, or Champagne lines, we generically call them Coral Snows. 

 
Before describing Coral Snow Corns, first, a brief history of the Coral Snow.
Back in the 1980s when corn snake herpetoculture was in its infancy, Snow corns that had a pink or coral cast were called Coral Snows. Back then, Snow corns were not as variable in color as they are toDAY.  At the time when pink/coral ones were dubbed Coral Snows, it was only common to see snows in two tones of white; crisp white (aka: bone white Snows), or Coral.  Back then, prediction of the coral coloration was hit-and-miss (some would start out with a blush of pink, but mature to be white on white) so in the absence of genetic test data to explain the origin of the pink and/or coral colors, the name Coral became somewhat obscure from the hobby for many years.  After that era, Jim Stelpflug at Southwest Wisconsin Reptiles was one of the first to predictably reproduce coral-colored snows, and even though pinkish snows were still seen in the hobby, Jim was reliably reproducing them – and was even able to intensify the coral coloration in most. At that time, we mistakenly believed the gene mutation responsible for pink or coral colored snows was the result of Snow corns also possessing both copies of the Hypo A mutation.  While some pink or coral colored Snows that were also Hypo mutants DID show a blush of pink, their pink cast rarely intensified to be remarkable in appearance, as is the case with Coral Snow Mutants of toDAY.  Pink and Green Snows were not rare back then, and some of those demonstrated deeply saturated pink coloration.  Again, the origin of that phenotype was (and to an extent, still is) poorly understood.  In so much as most of the early Coral Snows originated from Jim Stelpflug at SWR (Southwest Wisconsin Reptiles), it appeared obvious that some mutation he had in his genetic inventory was causing his to be more colorful than others.  The exaggerated pink/coral coloration is now believed by some to be the demonstration of the dominant-type mutation (Strawberry) that was also discovered/developed by Jim Stelpflug.  This is believed to be THE color mutation responsible for the rich colors, if not ONE OF such mutations.  I have not personally had reproductive results to validate this theory, and in a hobby that has so very many hidden mutations, perhaps Strawberry is just one of such mutations to cause such colors? Breeding trials are still ongoing toward discovering more about this interesting (if not mysterious) mutation.  It is not mysterious in terms of inheritance, but in that some non-Strawberry corns can exhibit similar colors – without being Coral/Strawberry mutants.  It is not a given that every corn snake displaying inordinate amounts of pink or coral is a Strawberry mutant, but so far, breeding trials between the three most notable Coral Snow types (Salmon, Champagne, and Neon) have demonstrated that they are all at least elementally allelic (breeding any combintion of the three morphs renders Snow corns that have extreme saturation of pink, coral, or both).  Hence, there may be other gene mutations or gene modifiers involved in one or all of those morphs, but they at least share the same mutational foundation that causes them to look remarkably pink/coral – unlike classic white-on-white Snows.

The general conclusion in the corn snake industry at this time is that any Snow corn that is also a Strawberry Mutant (thereby exhibiting a color predominance of pink and/or coral) is a Coral Snow.  Any additional refrence to familial origins (i.e. Salmon, Champagne, or Neon) is merely a lineage descriptor that may prove valuable if and when it is determined that one or more of those bloodlines actually possesses additional mutations, or strongly influencing polygenic traits.

Therefore, here at SMR, we consider any Snow (or ghost) that exhibits exaggerated/remarkable pink or coral colors to be one of several different family lines of the general group we call CORAL SNOWS.  Below are those popular lines;
  • Salmon
  • Champagne
  • Neon (a refinement of Lloyd Lemke’s Bubblegum Snow)

Pairing any two of these popular lines (and other similar lines) will render snows that demonstrate exaggeration of the pink or coral colors.  Instead of Strawberry (because enough evidence points to more than one gene causing this coloration) we generally call the gene Red Mask or Red Factor.  Therefore, you could call any of these lines simply, Coral Snows.  

What to expect:
As hatchlings, any CORAL-type Snow corn exhibits some degree of pink or coral (compared to snows without the gene mutation being just two shades of white).  Throughout ontogeny (maturity) all corns dramatically change from usually drab coloration to spectacular coloration.  Even if a Coral-type Snow only has a little of the pink or coral expression as a hatchling, it’s guaranteed that such colors will be at least doubled in color saturation and intensity.  
 
Some will demonstrate extremely saturated pink or coral as hatchlings.  Those individuals also super-saturate colors through maturity and are guaranteed to be more colorful than average Coral-type Snows.  The scheme of colors is highly variable from Coral markings on a barely pink ground color, Pink on Coral, Coral on white, Coral markings with greenish margins-on a white ground zone, greenish ground coloration with pink markings, some of which are bounded by white blotch margins, and every conceivable and inconceivable combinations thereof.  It is generally expected that several genes comprise the variety of pink/coral color schemes demonstrated in Coral Snow-types toDAY.  
 
SUPER SALMON/CORAL SNOWS have both copies of the Red Mask gene mutation, making them much more colorful than standard Coral Snows.  I estimate Super Form Coral/Salmon Snows to have easily twice the color intensity as their Visual Het counterparts (advertised as Coral Snows).  Expect Super Corals to be much more colorful as hatchlings and exponentially more-so as adults.  They’re not twice the price of the generic Coral Snows for no reason. They’re twice the snake.  
 

SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Charcoal 2014

Charcoal (aka: anery B, Pine Island Anery)
Most Commonly Used Name: Charcoal
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris

 

The second anerythristic-type mutation discovered in corn snakes (Anery A was the first), Charcoal corns were originally named Pine Island Aneries for the origin of the first one to be discovered on Pine Island – off the Florida Coast.  Originally mis-perceived to be a variant of the Anery A mutation, the first one was bred to a Snow corn in a presumed effort to discern if the mutation was related to Anery A?  Subsequent generational results demonstrated that this was not an allele of the first anerythristic-type corn; Anery A.  There, if you breed a single-mutant Anery to a single-mutant Charcoal, you will get all wild-type progeny (presuming there were no other gene mutation copies common to both parents. 

Many of the original Charcoal corns lacked facial and lateral yellow.  Yellow was not common in the first generations of this morph, since early specimens apparently lacked the dietary carotenoid yellow trait/mutation common in most Anery corns.  Even toDAY, some Charcoal and Blizzard (Amel Charcoal) corns are devoid of yellow as adults, but in so much as that original specimen was quickly bred to a Snow corn upon discovery, the carotenoid retention gene(s) is annoyingly persistent in most family lines of Charcoals and Blizzards.  Breeding trials to identify the mechanics and inheritance of the carotenoid retention gene(s) are on-going.

 

What to expect:
Possibly one of the most unchanging of all corns in the realm of appearance from hatchling to adult, neonates have an overall gray or bluish appearance.  Neonates often have a blush of pink or lavender around the sides of the face and neck, and some of those carry that color to adulthood.  Whether the one you get will mature to have yellow (or won’t), never expect to see yellow on neonates.  One obvious distinction between Anery and Charcoal corns (neonate or adult) is in the realm of eye color.  In Anery corns, there is an obvious contrast between the iris and pupil of the eyes (usually black pupil surrounded by gray or silver iris).  Most Charcoal corns show little or no such contrast, having the same jet black pupils of Anery corns, but a much darker and sometimes equally black iris.  Throughout maturity, the eyes of both Anerys and Charcoals may change slightly, but and adults the distinction between hatchlings remains the same.  Most of my corn snakes that are genetically both Anery and Charcoal are phenotypically Charcoal.  I’ve spoken to other breeders that say some of their double mutants more closely resembled Anery types.
 

Important Note: 
  These images are not renderings of the actual animals being offered, (except for uniquely offered snakes found in the SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

 

Het Palmetto 2014h

 

Palmetto Het (Heterozygote)
Most Commonly Used Name: Palmetto
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Dominant to Wild-type
Morph Type: Visual het of a dominant mutation
Eye Color: Black pupil and dirty white to tan iris
Price: $2,000.00 usd includes free Domestic U.S. Overnight Shipping
 
 
hetpm2103my13

NOTE:  Male heterozygote and homozygote Palmettos will begin selling in 2015, and only 2015 hatchlings will be sold at that time.  Our marketing strategy of selling only female Palmettos until 2015 is practiced toward the goal of ensuring everyone that no one person will have the advantage of acquiring a male Palmetto before anyone else.  Continuing that logic, 2016, we may sell a few 2015 yearlings, and after 2016, perhaps Adults can be purchased, but until then, everyone who owns a Palmetto is essentially on an even playing field with all other Palmetto owners.  

Until 2015, no Het or Homo Palmetto males were sold, traded, gifted, or otherwise left SMR.  Pictured is a typical specimen of corn snake that is Het for Palmetto (having one copy of the mutation and therefore do not have the appearance of the Homozygote/visual Palmetto).  Virtually 98 out of 100 are relatively tan-colored (compared to classic corns) and below the sides of the markings, colors tend to diffuse.  It’s amazing how little variance there is between Het Palmettos.  Because the Palmetto mutation is believed to be dominant to wild-type, we call these VISUAL HETS, largely because they have a phenotype that is not like that of a wild corn.  Some of our Het Palmettos are also het for other color mutations, but because they are the products of Palmattos X Het Palmettos, the only het mutation we guarantee is that of the Palmetto Mutation.  Other mutations that could be in the Het Palmettos include; Amel, Anery, Charcoal, and Stripe.  Suffice, the Het Palmetto you purchase will look similar to the picture above and will look nothing like the mostly white visual Homo Palmetto pic’d elsewhere on our web site.   

Palmetto Corn snake History:

Status of the Palmetto in the marketplace:
The adult male we have that was captured in the wilds of South Carolina in 2008 is the only one known to ever have been collected in the wild, and none have been produced in captivity until now.  In 2010 we produced several heterozygotes.  In 2012, we bred several of the hets together and back to the wild-caught adult male patriarch.  Ten homozygote (aka: visual) Palmettos were sold in the U.S. and Europe in 2012 and including our stock, no other Palmetto corns exist anywhere in the world.   
 
Important Note: 
  These images are not renderings of the actual animals being offered, (except for uniquely offered snakes found in the SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity. While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Lava 2014

Lava (no AKA))
Most Commonly Used Name: Lav
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Recessive Mutation Compound
Eye Color: Usually reddish-black pupil with orange/brown iris

The simple recessive mutation, Lava was discovered by Joe Pierce in the 1990s and was originally called Translucent or Transparent Hypo.  They reportedly originated from a wild-caught corn snake that was collected in the area of the Southeastern United States where the famous Okeetee corns are collected in South Carolina.  

 

Important Note: 
  These images are not renderings of the actual animals being offered, (except for uniquely offered snakes found in the SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Pied-sided Bloodred – low 2014

Pied-sided Bloodred (aka: p/s bloodreds)
Low-White Expression
Note:  Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be incorrectly but synonymously used in the hobby
Most Commonly used Name: Pied-sided Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance:Selective Variation + Recessive
Morph Type:Single recessive mutation & selective variation
Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris

Go to History for more details about the DIFFUSED / BLOODRED base mutation of this compound morph.

In 1997, we acquired a Bloodred female from an unknown corn snake breeder that had a few lateral patches ofwhite.  We bred her to one or two males over the next six years, but never reproduced the white patches, nor did we hold back any of her sons to breed back to her.  In 2003, she was bred to a male Bloodred that has considerably more white on his sides, but no white was demonstrated in any of the F1 progeny.  Upon breeding two pairs of the F1 babies together, approximately 50% of the F2s demonstrated various degrees of white on their sides.  Also, when breeding one of the F1males back to the SMR original female, 50% of those progeny also had various degrees of lateral white patches.  This demonstrated that the SMR P/S Bloodreds were not alleles of the original male Bloodred gene that had similar random lateral white patches. 

At this time – in my opinion – insufficient data has been gathered to determine that P/S Bloodreds owe their atypical white lateral and facial markings to a gene mutation.  It is remotely possible that polygenetic traits are responsible for the atypical patches of white on the face and sides, based on confusing phenotypes.  While evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions points to the likelihood of a gene mutation, that cannot be definitely proclaimed at this time.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the inheritance of a trait or mutation when expression of the atypical feature is highly variable – as is the case with SMR P/S Bloodreds.  In other words, are the Bloodred siblings of P/S Bloodreds that lack lateral patches of white not P/S Bloodreds OR are they P/S Bloodred mutants that are at the lowest end of the 0-to-10 scale for white expression?  When proving the mode of inheritance via evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions in a single brood of snakes, visual expression is crucial.  Hence, if the expression of white in this morph can be so extremely variable, when citing the ratio of visual mutants compared to visual non mutants, the very description of inheritance can be in question.  I therefore honestly don’t know if P/S Bloodreds owe their distinctive pied-sided white appearance to a recessive mutation OR polygenic trait modifications. Breeding trials are constantly being evaluated.  The snag in this determination is the fact that there are many siblings of the P/S Bloodreds that lack white, but have the remarkably red sides that are devoid of markings (a virtually distinct collateral trait of SMR P/S Bloodreds).  This particular trait is not foreign to the base mutation, Bloodred, but in P/S Bloodred phenotypes, expression of this shocking red trait is definitely exaggerated, compared to non P/S Bloodreds in the hobby.  Hence, the question again, “are these non P/S Bloodred siblings of those with white, P/S bloods that are exhibiting no white OR is there an associative phenotype that exaggerates the red sides, even if they don’t exhibit lateral white?”.  Some have suggested that the lack of color in places (i.e. white patches) is an extreme expression of the genetic elimination of melanin/markings.  That perhaps the genetic erradication of markings – when expressed in its’ extreme – may eliminate not only the melanin, but the other chromatophore as well?

Aside from the random lateral white feature that is obvious in most members of this morph – compared to standard Bloodreds – is the extreme diffusion – even if they don’t demonstrate any of the randomly distributed white patches on the sides.  On most – even in the absence of lateral white patches – there is an obvious line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral pattern fields – just above the half-way point on the sides (dorso–laterally).  This stark break line between dorsal and lateral markings also begs questions about the lateral white being a mutation OR variable expression of polygenetics. 

 

 

What to expect:
As neonates, P/S Bloodred corns are often heavily patterned (sides are generally faded or lacking typical lateral markings). Some exhibit black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have head patterns that are notably unlike those of typical corns. Like most SMR Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds diffuse dramatically through maturity, thereby rendering adults that are nearly devoid of head markings, side markings, (any visible dorsal markings will be very faint).  There will be NO belly checkering, but ventral coloration can be all red, all white, or red and white (no black).  Many of the early Bloodred corns in the early 1990s were overly inbred and therefore suffered poor fertility (not to mention – the progeny of many of the first generations were stubbornly lizard lovers, refusing to eat pinky mice).  Thankfully, through out-crossing in our projects to improve or change colors and patterns, like virtually all Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds do not rank high in the realms of sterility or reluctance to eat rodents.   In fact, there are some seasons in which Bloodreds are among the best feeders of our corn snake neonates.
 
The amount and random distribution of white that will be on High White Expression members of this morph are difficult to quantify.  As more are produced, the percentage of white on the three classes of this morph (Low white, Medium white, and High white) will be possible to grade.  Virtually all P/S Bloodreds randomly demonstrate the shocking white blotches only on the lower sides of their bodies – predominantly in the first half of their bodies.  Some will have one (or a few) white scales (or partially white scales) on their faces.  It is still rare for a SMR P/S Bloodred to have white on the sides that is disjunct to the belly white (not touching the belly color field).
 

 

SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Pied-sided Bloodred – med 2014

Pied-sided Bloodred (aka: p/s bloodreds)
Medium-White Expression
Note:  Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be incorrectly but synonymously used in the hobby
Most Commonly used Name: Pied-sided Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance:Selective Variation + Recessive
Morph Type:Single recessive mutation & selective variation
Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris

Go to History for more details about the DIFFUSED / BLOODRED base mutation of this compound morph.

At this time, this author suspects that P/S Bloodreds owe their atypical white lateral and facial markings to polygenetic traits versus simple recessive mutation. It is sometimes difficult to determine the inheritance of a trait or mutation when expression of the atypical feature is highly variable.  In other words, are the Bloodred siblings of P/S Bloodreds not P/S Bloodreds OR are they P/S Bloodred mutants that are at the lowest end of the 0-to-10 scale for white expression?  When proving the mode of inheritance via evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions in a single brood of snakes, visual expression is crucial.  Hence, if the expression of white in this morph can be so extremely variable, when citing the ratio of visual mutants compared to visual non mutants, the very description of inheritance can be in doubt.  I therefore honestly don’t know if P/S Bloodreds owe their distinctive pied-sided white appearance to a recessive mutation OR polygenic trait modifications.

Aside from the random lateral white feature that is obvious in most members of this morph – compared to standard Bloodreds – is the extreme diffusion – even if they don’t demonstrate any of the randomly distributed white patches on the sides.  On most – even in the absence of lateral white patches – there is an obvious line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral pattern fields – just above the half-way point on the sides (dorso–laterally).  This stark break line between dorsal and lateral markings also begs questions about the lateral white being a mutation OR variable expression of polygenetics.  

What to expect:
As neonates, P/S Bloodred corns are often heavily patterned (sides are generally faded or lacking typical lateral markings). Some exhibit black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have head patterns that are notably unlike those of typical corns. Like most SMR Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds diffuse dramatically through maturity, thereby rendering adults that are nearly devoid of head markings, side markings, (any visible dorsal markings will be very faint).  There will be NO belly checkering, but ventral coloration can be all red, all white, or red and white (no black).  Many of the early Bloodred corns in the early 1990s were overly inbred and therefore suffered poor fertility (not to mention – the progeny of many of the first generations were stubbornly lizard lovers, refusing to eat pinky mice).  Thankfully, through out-crossing in our projects to improve or change colors and patterns, like virtually all Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds do not rank high in the realms of sterility or reluctance to eat rodents.   In fact, there are some seasons in which Bloodreds are among the best feeders of our corn snake neonates.
 
The amount and random distribution of white that will be on Medium White Expression members of this morph are difficult to quantify.  As more are produced, the percentage of white on the three classes of this morph (Low white, Medium white, and High white) will be possible to grade.  Virtually all P/S Bloodreds randomly demonstrate the shocking white blotches only on the lower sides of their bodies – predominantly in the first half of their bodies.  Some will have one (or a few) white scales (or partially white scales) on their faces.  It is still rare for a SMR P/S Bloodred to have white on the sides that is disjunct to the belly white (not touching the belly color field).
 

Important Note:
  These images are not renderings of the actual animals being offered, (except for uniquely offered snakes found in the SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity. While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Pied-sided Bloodred – high 2014

Pied-sided Bloodred (aka: p/s bloodreds)
High-White Expression
Note:  Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be incorrectly but synonymously used in the hobby
Most Commonly used Name: Pied-sided Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance:Selective Variation + Recessive
Morph Type:Single recessive mutation & selective variation
Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris

Go to History for more details about the DIFFUSED / BLOODRED base mutation of this compound morph.

In 1997, we acquired a Bloodred female from an unknown corn snake breeder that had a few lateral patches ofwhite.  We bred her to one or two males over the next six years, but never reproduced the white patches, nor did we hold back any of her sons to breed back to her.  In 2003, she was bred to a male Bloodred that has considerably more white on his sides, but no white was demonstrated in any of the F1 progeny.  Upon breeding two pairs of the F1 babies together, approximately 50% of the F2s demonstrated various degrees of white on their sides.  Also, when breeding one of the F1males back to the SMR original female, 50% of those progeny also had various degrees of lateral white patches.  This demonstrated that the SMR P/S Bloodreds were not alleles of the original male Bloodred gene that had similar random lateral white patches. 

At this time – in my opinion – insufficient data has been gathered to determine that P/S Bloodreds owe their atypical white lateral and facial markings to a gene mutation.  It is remotely possible that polygenetic traits are responsible for the atypical patches of white on the face and sides, based on confusing phenotypes.  While evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions points to the likelihood of a gene mutation, that cannot be definitely proclaimed at this time.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the inheritance of a trait or mutation when expression of the atypical feature is highly variable – as is the case with SMR P/S Bloodreds.  In other words, are the Bloodred siblings of P/S Bloodreds that lack lateral patches of white not P/S Bloodreds OR are they P/S Bloodred mutants that are at the lowest end of the 0-to-10 scale for white expression?  When proving the mode of inheritance via evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions in a single brood of snakes, visual expression is crucial.  Hence, if the expression of white in this morph can be so extremely variable, when citing the ratio of visual mutants compared to visual non mutants, the very description of inheritance can be in question.  I therefore honestly don’t know if P/S Bloodreds owe their distinctive pied-sided white appearance to a recessive mutation OR polygenic trait modifications. Breeding trials are constantly being evaluated.  The snag in this determination is the fact that there are many siblings of the P/S Bloodreds that lack white, but have the remarkably red sides that are devoid of markings (a virtually distinct collateral trait of SMR P/S Bloodreds).  This particular trait is not foreign to the base mutation, Bloodred, but in P/S Bloodred phenotypes, expression of this shocking red trait is definitely exaggerated, compared to non P/S Bloodreds in the hobby.  Hence, the question again, “are these non P/S Bloodred siblings of those with white, P/S bloods that are exhibiting no white OR is there an associative phenotype that exaggerates the red sides, even if they don’t exhibit lateral white?”.  Some have suggested that the lack of color in places (i.e. white patches) is an extreme expression of the genetic elimination of melanin/markings.  That perhaps the genetic erradication of markings – when expressed in its’ extreme – may eliminate not only the melanin, but the other chromatophore as well?

Aside from the random lateral white feature that is obvious in most members of this morph – compared to standard Bloodreds – is the extreme diffusion – even if they don’t demonstrate any of the randomly distributed white patches on the sides.  On most – even in the absence of lateral white patches – there is an obvious line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral pattern fields – just above the half-way point on the sides (dorso–laterally).  This stark break line between dorsal and lateral markings also begs questions about the lateral white being a mutation OR variable expression of polygenetics. 

 

 

What to expect:
As neonates, P/S Bloodred corns are often heavily patterned (sides are generally faded or lacking typical lateral markings). Some exhibit black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have head patterns that are notably unlike those of typical corns. Like most SMR Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds diffuse dramatically through maturity, thereby rendering adults that are nearly devoid of head markings, side markings, (any visible dorsal markings will be very faint).  There will be NO belly checkering, but ventral coloration can be all red, all white, or red and white (no black).  Many of the early Bloodred corns in the early 1990s were overly inbred and therefore suffered poor fertility (not to mention – the progeny of many of the first generations were stubbornly lizard lovers, refusing to eat pinky mice).  Thankfully, through out-crossing in our projects to improve or change colors and patterns, like virtually all Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds do not rank high in the realms of sterility or reluctance to eat rodents.   In fact, there are some seasons in which Bloodreds are among the best feeders of our corn snake neonates.
 
The amount and random distribution of white that will be on High White Expression members of this morph are difficult to quantify.  As more are produced, the percentage of white on the three classes of this morph (Low white, Medium white, and High white) will be possible to grade.  Virtually all P/S Bloodreds randomly demonstrate the shocking white blotches only on the lower sides of their bodies – predominantly in the first half of their bodies.  Some will have one (or a few) white scales (or partially white scales) on their faces.  It is still rare for a SMR P/S Bloodred to have white on the sides that is disjunct to the belly white (not touching the belly color field).
 

 

SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Okeetee Creamsicle 2014

INTERSPECIES  HYBRID !

Creamsicle Okeetee (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name:  Creamsicle Okeetee
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive Amel + Emory’s Rat Snake & Selective Variation
Morph Type: Single recessive HYBRID AmelMutation + Selective Variation
Eye Color: RED pupils

 

 

Formerly considered an intergrade of what were formerly two corn snake subspecies (Elaphe guttatus guttatusX Elaphe guttatus emoryi), Creamsicles are the final product of crossing the Emory’s Rat (aka: Great Plains Rat Snake) snake with an Amel corn. Since the new taxonomic classification assigns distinct species status to both, (Pantherophis emoryi and Pantherophis guttatus), Creamsicles are now officially considered HYBRIDS. ANY progeny from Creamsicles or any corn snake that have any degree of Emory’s Rat Snake genetics, is considered a HYBRID.  The albinos are called Creamsicles and the non-albinos are called Root Beers.

 

Beyond the HYBRID product of AMEL corn and EMORY’S RAT SNAKE, Creamsicle Okeetees have distinctively saturated orange colors, separated by broad (and shocking) white blotch margins.  Some of the richest color and contrast demonstrated in a Corn Snake Type.

 

 

 

What to expect:
Hatchling Creamsicles are orange HYBRID versions of Amel corns, so they can have any pattern you see in corn snakes.  The polygenic variability gambit is seen in all animals, so colors may slightly vary from deep orange to yellowish orange, but virtually all representatives of this morph are the same.  Expect to see Hybrid Vigor (robust size and propensities for hardy appetites and rapid growth) from being out-crossed to unrelated snakes.  We all hope that breeders will always reveal the genetic background of all their snakes, but I know people that have purchased obvious Creamsicles in pet stores and reptile expos, but were never advised of their hybrid origins.

 

 

SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

 

Key Corn 2014

Key (aka: Key’s, Rosy Rat)
Most Commonly Used Name: Key Corn
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Locality Wild Type
Morph Type: Wild Type
Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris

 

An insular race of corns sometimes known by their original name, Rosy Rats, are a generally pale race of wild-type corns that surely owe their general appearance to the fact that they are somewhat genetically isolated from mainland forms of their corn snake species, Pantherophis guttatus.  The latest scientific studies have demonstrated that they are not a separate subspecies and therefore, their old and temporary scientific name, Elaphe guttata rosacea, does not apply.  I suspect that if Man allows this race of corns to thrive on the keys, it may one DAY exhibit unique DNA distinction that will warrant sub-specific taxonomic status. Expect captive Key Corn lines to be much paler with much less black than most of their wild counterparts. If you randomly field collected most of the Keys of Florida, the variation of color themes and volume of black pigmentation would be great. 
 

Several breeders (myself included) have performed breeding trials to verify that Terrazzos are not allelic to other gene mutations.  Results were somewhat mixed – probably because people have been breeding mutations into Key Corns for so many years – but the general consensus is that most Key Corns are not allelic to current mutations.  I’ve personally bred Key Corns to Diffused (aka: bloodreds) and all the babies were phenotypes for Diffused mutants.  Many more breeding trials are in order.  Partly because of the diversity between many of the different Key habitants (including some South Dade County, Florida, corns that satisfy the visual Key Corn standard.

Terrazzos have the beautiful tan and gray color scheme common to many of the middle-to-lower Keys Corns, and in typical Keys Corn fashion, their bellies are notably unlike bellies of mainland corns. Rarely is even one black scale found on these mutants, and the bellies are usually completely devoid of pattern or other colors. Some will have random patches of color on their bellies, but not black (this is not to say we won’t someDAY see black on Terrazzos – perhaps via out-crossing them with other mutations). Terrazzos are a lean race of corns, some reaching the length of typical mainland corns, but rarely the girth of common corns.
 
 
Note: Not all Key Corns are devoid of black.  Many have black in their pattern AND on their bellies, but in that this is mostly due to captive selective breeding of the ones with the least melanin, don’t expect them to exemplify wild Key Corns.  As hatchlings, they can have considerably more black than you’d expect and their color contrast between markings and ground color zones can be high.  However, as adults, most will have very little (or no) black anywhere on their bodies.  Most adult Key Corns in the hobby toDAY have bellies that lack black pigmentation, but when it is present, it’s usually relegated to the first third of the belly.  After that, they have variations of pattern between None and two or three tone speckling. In that we have been out-crossing them to popular morphs and mutations in captivity, patterns and colors can be diverse, but the basic standard points to mostly tan individuals.

 

What to expect:
Hatchling Key Corns are dark-colored when compared to their adult counterparts, and at a glance you would not suspect they would mature to look so much like a Hypo mutant. Except for pattern, some adults have colors similar to the most hypomelanistic HYPO mutants (virtually devoid of black). I have bred Keys Corns to Hypo mutants and re-produced Hypo mutants, but that does not always happen. It would be totally understandable that someone thought the Keys Corn they had was a Hypo mutant, and bred it to a Hypo mutant – thereby infusing the Hypo mutation into that family line. Then, there is the visual confusion; is that a Hypo mutant or a Key Corn?  The answer to that question is not even easily answered by breeding trials.  Until we discover the distinction between those two phenotypes, it may always be confusing, but eventually, the confusion will be solved by the Hypo mutation being in many/most Key Corns.  Charles Pritzel has pioneered microscopic studies that may be the very tool we need to distinguish between the hypomelanistic types. 

 

SURPLUS section of this web site).  We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form.  Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph.  We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.