Category: Old Shop

Eye Color: Red pupil

 

This compound morph results from combining the color mutation Amel with the pattern mutation Motley. Colors can range from dull orange to red-orange, and the motley pattern may vary from only a few dorsal ground zone circles to many dorsal ground zone circles more than half-way down the back.  Adults are generally more colorful than hatchlings, but relative to the transformation of most corns from hatchling to adult, Amel Motleys change very little throughout maturity.  Amel Motleys should not be confused with Sunglow Motleys – regarding their noticeable lack of white.  One of the genetic functions of Motley is to reduce or eliminate color zones of white in albinos (black in non-albinos) leaving some to deduce that since Amel Motleys usually lack white, they must be Sunglow Motleys.  The primary distinction between the two is the obviously heavier color saturation in Sunglow Motleys vs. the slightly cluttered appearance of Amel Motleys (color zones that have a mixture of many different shades of their base color – and sometimes white stippling).

What to expect:
Amel Motleys are one of the rare exceptions among corns in so much as their appearance from neonate to adult changes very little. Expect mostly red snakes with ground coloration that is lighter than that of the markings – with notable reduction or lack of white around the markings. Some have only a few of the classic Motley dorsal circles (often resembling a chain configuration) while some sport a long and contiguous “chain” pattern nearly all the way to the tail. Never expect to see such dorsal circles ON the tail itself. BTW, the pattern mutation, Motley virtually always alters color and markings – if only slightly. Patterns are often less distinct and colors are sometimes slighted softened in Motley mutants – compared to non-Motleys. Some people call all Amel Motleys Sunglow Motleys because of the absence of white (single recessive morphs are mostly or completely devoid of white, so most people think the Amel Motleys without white must be Sunglow Motleys), but one of the genetic jobs of Motley is to greatly reduce or eliminate all black in non-albinos and therefore, all white in albinos.

Formerly considered an intergrade of what were formerly two corn snake subspecies (Elaphe guttatus guttatus X 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.

 

Anery Motley (aka: Anerythristic  Motley)
Most Commonly Used Name: Anery Motley (hobby abbreviation for Anerythristic Motley)
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Mutation Compound (Anery + Motley)

This compound morph results from combining the color mutation, Anery with the pattern mutation, Motley. Except for pattern variatiants (Hurricane Anery Motleys), the only obvious results of the combination of these mutations is usually less carotenoid yellow than their non motley Anery counterparts, and reduced color saturation of black.  As with some single mutant Anery corns, males can demonstrate earth tone coloration, seldom seen in females of this morph. 

What to expect:

As neonates, Anery Motleys usually appear to be white snakes with black markings.  As they mature, the white usually turns to gray, but markings can be anything between dark shades of gray to black.  Some have only a few of the classic chain-like Motley dorsal circles, while some sport a long and contiguous  “chain” pattern of dorsal circles – nearly all the way to the tail.  Never expect to see such dorsal circles ON the tail itself.  As with all Anery mutants, hatchling Anery Motleys display no yellow around the face and neck, but as they mature, virtually all will develop facial and lateral yellow color zones that slowly manifest with maturity – from the retention of carotenoids in their diet.  BTW, the Motley pattern mutation virtually always alters color and markings – if only slightly. Patterns are often less distinct, and colors are sometimes slighted softened in Motley mutants – compared to non-Motleys..

 

Arguably the most famous example of a corn snake morph named for its geographic origins, the Okeetee is also considered to be the most beautiful non-mutant corn snake in the species.  First popularized by Carl Kauffeld in at least two books describing his field discoveries of this beautiful and robust race of corn snake on or near the Okeetee Hunt Club in South Carolina, Okeetees have since been selectively bred for extremely bright and saturated colors.  When we say locality Okeetee, we are referring to animals whose genetic origins can be traced to the Jasper County, South Carolina region.  Okeetees that have been selectively bred for appearance and consequently satisfy a visual hobby standard are sometimes called Okeetee morphs, but more often are called simply Okeetee corns.

Okeetees (in the hobby) are a premier example of the promotion of polygenic traits through selective breeding.  By breeding together specimens with desired characteristics, through generational selection of pairing only the ones with the desired features, it doesn’t take long to render stunning examples of the morph – without the aid of gene mutations.  Please, do not attempt to hunt for Okeetee corns on private property.  The Okeetee Hunt Club in South Carolina expressly forbids trespassing, and it is possible to be arrested, if caught on their land without express written permission.

 

Okeetees have since been selectively bred for extremely bright and saturated colors. When we say locality Okeetee, we are referring to animals whose genetic origins can be traced to the Jasper County, South Carolina region. There is nothing magic about the Hunt Club that makes only animals in that area outstanding looking. Corns in other states of the Corn Snake’s range can be just as beautiful, but proportionally speaking, the corns from this region out-number those that have inferior color and pattern.  Okeetees that have been selectively bred for appearance and consequently satisfy a visual hobby standard are sometimes called Okeetee morphs, but more often are called simply Okeetee corns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

It took years of selective breeding to achieve the level of banding demonstrated in these Motleys.  Genetically, Banded Amel Motleys are Amel Motleys that are the polygenetic products of selectively breeding to promote elongation of the dorsal saddles, converting them to bands. This is the first Motley color variant that demonstrates distinct banding, but more importantly, I think the fact that the volume of markings having a disproportionally greater volume than that of ground color makes this an important foundational resource for creating corn snakes that have little or no ground color zones.  It appears that the banding is not a mutational trait and is not linked to Motley, in  so much as we have seen non Motley corns with exaggerated banding.  If your motley projects steer toward banding, this is an excellent genetic tool toward that goal.

Blue Motley (aka: Dilute Anery Motley)

Most Commonly Used Name: Blue Motley
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive

Type: Triple Mutation Compound (Dilute + Anery + Motley)

Eye Color:  Black pupil & body ground colored iris (usually silver or pale blue)

 

Combining the three recessive gene mutations; Anery, Dilute, and Motley result in a beautiful compound most commonly referred to as the Blue Motley.  The genetic impact of the Dilute mutation is similar to the Blue Merle Collie and Shetland Sheep dogs – a softening of black – usually resulting in pleasing pale blue or silver colors.  Typically, the Anery and Dilute color mutations do not noticeably affect the Motley pattern mutation, but Motley virtually always improves corn snake colors.

 

 

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This 15″ male 2017 Amel Sunkissed Motley is currently eating frozen/thawed pinky mice.   His $225.00 price includes    

 

This compound morph results from combining the color mutations Amel + Caramel = Butter and the pattern mutation, Motley. Color and pattern are variable, but it is apparent that the Motley mutation has a beneficial color impact upon the Butter corn’s coloration, and that impact is one of enhancement.  I don’t recall ever seeing Striped or Motley Butter corns that was not more deeply yellow than Butter corns without a pattern mutation.

 

What to expect:
Expect  most neonates to have surprisingly low-quality yellow (compared to adults), and pattern on some may actually be brown for up to a year or longer.  I have personally never seen one retain non yellow colors, so be patient.  In six to 18 months, all other colors should transform to yellow.  The pattern mutation, Motley demonstrates its power when combined with butter by heavily saturating and otherwise improving the yellow – compared to non-Motley Butters.

 

This compound morph results from combining the color mutation, Caramel with the pattern mutation Motley.  As Motley does in genetic union with most other color mutations of corns, the aggregate appearance of this compound morph is certainly improved.  The mechanics of both base mutations are explained on the hyperlinked pages for Caramel and Motley.

 

 

 

INTERSPECIES  HYBRID