Morphs – Page 7 – SMR Archive

Peach Lavender 2015

Peach Lavender (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name: Peach Lavender
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Double Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Red pupil & body ground colored iris (see details below about some having black pupils)

There are several distinct features among Lavender mutants of any variety. One baffling characteristic common in the Lavender mutation is that most of them have eye pupils that are some shade of pink – virtually identical to most albino (Amel) corn snakes. Nobody yet knows why but some have black pupils. Another feature in most Lavender corns is that virtually all of them hatch smaller in size than any other corn snake mutation. What they lack in hatchling size they make up for in appetite. Not so much that they are ravenous feeders (they actually ARE), but collectively relative to all other corn snake mutations, Lavenders statistically favor pinky mice more than any other corns we produce. Our adult Lavender types are essentially the same size as other corn snake morphs, even though they start out so tiny. Many lavenders resemble Ghost corn snakes, as babies and adults.

What distinguishes PEACH LAVENDERS from Lavenders is the what we believe to be the addition of another gene mutation that the discoverer, Richard Hume calls PEACH. Peach, if a mutation, genetically behaves like a mutation that is recessive to wild-type. Jury is still out on whether this is a gene mutation or an extremely consistent polygenetic production (the latter of which is not likely in my opinion).

What to expect:

Most hatchlings are some shade of pale peach, most of which have dark red eyes (like most Lavender mutants). Through maturity, most will keep their basic neonate coloration, but unlike most corns whose colors become more saturated with age, Peach Lavender types almost always lose color saturation through maturity.

Pictured above are hatchlings of both Peach Plasmas (Peach Lavender Bloodreds) and Plasmas (Lavender Bloodreds). Most Peach Lavenders look exactly like these Plasmas and essentially maintain their “peachy” overall color at maturity.

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.

SUPER Salmon Snow 2015

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-or-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:

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.

Buckskin Okeetee-2015

Buckskin Okeetee (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name: Buckskin Okeetee
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Dominant (wild-type) + Selective Variation
Morph Type: Selective Variation of the wild-type, Okeetee

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

The Buckskin Okeetee is another example of the promotion of polygenic traits through selective breeding. By breeding together specimens with an atypically tan ground coloration, through generational selection of pairing only the ones with the most buckskin ground coloration, we are now producing beautiful Okeetees with pale brown or tan ground colors. Of course, this means that no mutations are involved, since instead, changes are made through selective breeding via changes in non-mutant gene interactions.

What to expect:

In both neonates and adults, the ground color should be obviously pale by comparison to typical Okeetees. Note that neonate Okeetees of any persuasion are initially disappointing, as all their colors are drab through much of their youth. Colors will change with maturity, but always get richer and more saturated through maturity. As it is with most relatively new morphs, we don’t yet know what potential variation exists in Buckskin Okeetees, but the obvious target should have clean blotch and ground colors with little or no stippling or speckling that is often seen in the ground color zones of most non-mutant corns, heavy black blotch margins, buckskin-colored ground color zones, and richly saturated red blotches.

Do not expect any hatchling/neonate Okeetee to look anything like the adults. This picture shows an adult female Extreme Okeetee with several of her newly hatched babies (no, she was not present when they hatched in the incubator). This adult looked exactly like the babies shown in this image when she was their size.

Coral Snow 2015

Coral Snow (aka: Champagne, Neon, Salmon, Snow)

Most Commonly Used Name: Coral Snow
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive & Dominant
Morph Type: Mutation Compound ( Anery & Amel) + Dominant RED MASK Mutation (?Strawberry?)

Eye color: RED pupils

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.

Salmon
Champagne
Neon (a refinement of Lloyd Lemke’s Bubblegum Snow)

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. Lately, some 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.

Diffused 2015

Diffused (aka: bloodred – see details below)

Note: Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be used synonymously
Most Commonly mis-used Name: Bloodred See details below
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

If you expected to see beautifully diffused corns with saturated red/rust/mahogany colors, click here ^_____> Bloodred Corn Snaketo see the enhanced version of this color mutation.

A few years ago, due to confusion regarding the heritability of the Bloodred’s base mutation (namely that the namesake snakes were not red and/or diffused), the base mutation name was changed away from Bloodred – to Diffused. The mechanics of this gene mutation barely diffuse the F¹ homozygotesthrough maturity (if at all), so do not expect Diffused corns to look like Bloodreds. It is currently believed that Bloodred corns are the product of enhancing the base mutation via polygenetic trait modification (selective breeding) to render a red and almost pattern-less (highly diffused) corn snake. That is not the opinion of this author, but in the absence of empirical evidence to the contrary, the best hobby and market interests are not served by published opposition to popular opinion. In other words, I’m not in favor of changing the morph name away from the original Bloodred since the new name Diffused is equally incorrect. Without polygenetic modification, Diffused corns are not diffused.

Brief history on Diffused mutants VS Bloodred mutants:

Initially, the corn snake gene mutation, Diffusion (formerly called Bloodred) was described as being recessively inherited, but many of the F¹ generational heterozygotes exhibited some of the obvious features of the gene mutation homozygotes. It is extremely rare for simple recessive F¹ heterozygotes to exhibit ANY features of their recessively inherited genetic mutation. For example, F¹ heterozygous Amel corn snakes have no markers that demonstrate a hint of their simple recessive mutation, Amel . The paradoxical partial-exhibition of the Diffusion mutation in the heterozygotes resulted in the Diffused mutation being re-described as codominant – (codom for short) in heritable function, but was tagged with the descriptor, variable. At that time, variable codom seemed an accurate and satisfactory genetic description for the radical color and pattern diversity among members of this mutation, but far too many genetic anomalies persisted. Identification of the inheritance of this mutation is once again considered simple recessive, but the Bloodred corn that most of us identify with toDAY is virtually always the aggregate of traits resulting from the Diffused gene mutation PLUS polygenetic traits promoted by selectively breeding toward the highest expressions of pattern reduction, diffusion, and red color saturation.

What to expect:
As neonates, Diffused corns are often heavily patterned, most of them exhibiting black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have some degree of black belly checkering (something I have NEVER seen on good Bloodreds). Head patterns are highly variable, but exactly like wild-type corns.

Some Diffused corns may exhibit slight diffusion throughout maturation, but unlike their prestigious BLOODRED cousins, every Diffused adult I’ve seen displayed prominent markings (head, body, and belly). Many of the early Diffused corns over ten years ago 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, Diffused and Bloodred corns no longer rank high in either of those categories; low ferility or reluctance to eat rodents. In fact, there are some seasons in which Diffused and Bloodred corns are among the best feeding of our corn snake neonates.

General Note:
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 identical to each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in no two specimens being exactly the same. 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 replace your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Diffused Caramel 2015

Diffused Caramel (aka: Caramel Bloodred, Diffuse Caramel)
Most Commonly Used Name: Caramel Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Mutation Compound (Caramel + Diffused)

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

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

This compound morph results from combining the color mutation, Caramel with the pattern mutation Diffused. As with most morph compounds that include Diffuse, the Caramel mutation’s color effect is greatly diffused. Another mechanism of the Diffused mutation is to reduce black, but since there is little to no black in most Caramel mutants, the lateral markings of this compound mutation are not diffused – as one would expect to see. With concentrated efforts to correct this perceived anomaly, in a couple of generations, this morph should improve in appearance.

What to expect:
Expect the hatchlings to look virtually identical in general appearance to typical Caramel hatchlings, except for the head and belly markings. The head should have some form of Diffuse head pattern, and the belly should be completely devoid of classic corn snake checkering. The belly pattern can have colors – and even pattern – but black should be absent.

Extreme Reverse Okeetee 2015

Extreme Reverse Okeetee (aka: Amel Okeetee, Albino Okeetee, Amel Buckskin Okeetee)

Most Commonly Used Name: Extreme Reverse Okeetee
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive + Selective Variation

Morph Type: Selective variant of single recessive mutation

Eye Color: Red pupils

Extreme Reverse Okeetees are variants of the basic Amel Mutation, but with the polygenic impact from the Buckskin Okeetees. Therefore, their only visual distinction from Amel corns is their polygenetic color and pattern scheme. Genetically speaking, like their cousins, Extreme Reverse Okeetees, are Amel corns that have been selectively bred to promote their target look (Highly saturated blotch colors, separated from clean and unspeckled ground coloration by prominent white blotch margins). Red or orange markings are not difficult to reproduce through generational line breeding, but the quality and size of the white blotch margins is often difficult to achieve, and sometimes difficult to maintain through subsequent generations. Note that the ground color zones of Extreme Reverse Okeetees run toward yellow, relative to their Reverse Okeetee cousins. The degree of color purity in the orange background and red (or orange) markings have been enhanced via polygenetic traits, modified through selective promotion of only the best target phenotypes. Some will exhibit color “clutter” in these zones, but a distinction between Reverse Okeetees and most Amel corns should be a dramatic reduction in color “noise” — rendering richer colors of blotch and ground color zones. The blotch margins are often very wide, compared to most Okeetee and Amel Okeetee types.

What to expect:

Reverse Okeetees are one of the few corn snake mutations that change very little between neonate and adult, so expect some deeper color saturation throughout maturity. The often “neutrally colored” blotch margins turn bright white throughout maturity. I don’t recall ever seeing one that was completely devoid of color litter in the pattern and ground zones, but we’re getting closer to that with each generation. Some of the hatchlings displaying orange markings mature to have redder markings, and some of those starting with red markings change to orange, but approximately 75% of all our red ones stay red, and about the same percentage of the orange marked ones stay orange.

Two Extreme Reverse Okeetees (Amel Extreme Buckskin Okeetees) pictured with a Buckskin Okeetee sibling on 06/10/13.

Kastanie 2015

Kastanie (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name: Kastanie (German for Chestnut, it’s pronounced Kuh-stawn-yuh)
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground-colored iris

First discovered by a German Corn Snake breeder, Frank Schaub, the Kastanie is a color mutation that is recessive to wild-type. We have been breeding them for many years, but they were called Rosy Bloodreds. The Rosy reason for that name turned out to be the Kastanie mutation causing the color namesake of the Rosy Bloodreds. Ours originated from a collector who found a pair of Rosy Rats in the upper keys of Florida. He bred them together and got nothing but more Rosy Rats (Key Corns), but when he bred two of those together, 1/4 of the brood was what we now call Kastanies.

The U.S. line of Kastanies are generally less-brightly colored, but have beautiful deep and rich dark reds and the head and neck of the German Kastanies are much redder than the U.S. line. The U.S. line has more overall orange body coloration. Both are stunning.

Like most corn snkaes, Kastanie hatchlings begin very differently than they will look at maturity. This picture shows two U.S. Kastanie hatchlings and one German-Line Kastanie hatchling (head on far-right).
DAY071913acc

Kastanie-German Line 2015

Kastanie (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name: Kastanie (German for Chestnut, it’s pronounced Kuh-stawn-yuh)
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground-colored iris

The German line of Kastanies from Frank’s German lineage are often slightly less-brightly colored as adults than most U.S. Kastanies, but have more beautiful deep and rich dark reds and the head and neck of the German Kastanies are much redder than the U.S. line. I personally prefer the German Kastanies over the U.S. Kastanies, but both are beautiful.

Like most corn snakes, Kastanie hatchlings begin very differently than they will look at maturity. This picture shows two U.S. Kastanie hatchlings and one German-Line Kastanie hatchling (head on far-right).

I CANNOT guarantee that any of the German-Line Kastanies will have the red heads seen in the pictured adults.
DAY071913acc

Lava Terrazzo 2015

Lava Terrazzo (no AKA))
Most Commonly Used Name: Lava Terrazzo
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Recessive Mutation Compound

Eye Color: RED pupil & beige iris

Combining the two recessive-to-wild-type mutations–first done here at South Mountain Reptiles–Terrazzo and Lava renders this stunningly pale mutation compound. The simple recessive mutation, Terrazzo was discovered by Craig Boyd from breeding two Rosy Rat Snakes together (an insular race of corns sometimes called Keys Corns) in the early 1990s. Terrazzos were originally marketed as Granite Corns, but in so much as the Terrazzo producers of that time did not frequent Internet chat forums, many of the mainstream corn snake keepers were unaware of this mutation. Despite warnings (along with pictures), members of one of the popular Online Corn Snake chat forums voted to re-assign the name Granite to Diffused Anery corns (former aka: Anery Bloodreds). It was awkward (and confusing) just a few months after this name re-assignment when Bill and Kathy Loves’ Book (Corn Snakes – The Comprehensive Owner’s Guide) was released, featuring a picture identifying a GRANITE CORN, but of course, that tan corn snake looked nothing like the NEW Granites (formerly Anery Bloodreds) that are black and gray. Jeff Galewood re-named the original Granite corns Terrazzos as he was–at that time–the primary producer of this beautiful mutation.

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.

Combining these two mutations rendered a stunning mutation compound whose almost albino features defy explanation. Why the eyes are almost like those of albino–apparently from the combination of the two mutations–does not follow any model in current corn snake gene mutations. Like all Key Corns, Lava Terrazzos are noticeably leaner than typical corns, but have great appetites and growth rates. BTW, I’ve never seen a Lava Terrazzo that had ANY black what-so-ever.

I call Terrazzos second “striped-type allele” because it IS the second one if you don’t count the striped version of Motley (since it is on the same locus with Motley). Several breeders (myself included) have performed breeding trials to verify that Terrazzos are not allelic to other gene mutations. So far, evidence points to Terrazzos being a unique single recessive mutation. I bred a classic Striped Corn mutant to a Key Corn Het for Terrazzo and yielded no mutant corns out of 21 fertile embryos. We all agree that more trials are necessary to validate unique allele status for this beautiful corn.

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.