Motley Corn Snake
Scientific Name: Elaphe Guttata
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Motley Corn Snakes are scientifically known as Elaphe guttata and are one of the brightest corn snakes. Motleys are stunning and attractive corn snakes. Adults are dark red with orange rings on their skin with little or no white coloring. The snake has a recessive gene, which results to a mostly patternless underside. Its dorsal markings are rather connected with lines forming on the backside. The recessive gene also affects the dorsal blotches, which may be connected by stripes or are elongated stretching down the snake’s body. The ventral scales do not have the usual checkered pattern in corn snakes. The motley trait takes away the blotches on the snake’s skin replacing them with rings.
Motley Corn Snakes Are Beautiful Creatures
Facts About Motley Corn Snakes
Geographic Location
The snake originated from wild-caught snakes collected the low west coast areas of Florida. The species can also be found in southeastern United States ranging from Florida Keys to New Jersey to as far as Texas.
Habitat
The snake is extremely active at night and dwells on the ground. The snake also prefers habitats like forest openings, overgrown fields, forests and abandoned buildings.
Behavior
The snake hibernates in winter in more temperate climates; it shelters in rock and log crevices when it is cold and come out when it is warm to soak up the sun’s heat. The snake is less active in cold weather.
Reproduction
The snake is normally bred selectively to produce a diversity of patterns and colors. They result from a combination of recessive and dominant genes. New morphs or variations develop each year with advancements in breeding methods.
Captivity
The snake is kept in captivity and the captive bred ones are very popular than the wild-caught Motley Corns. Since they are naturally solitary snakes, it is not recommended to house them with other snakes. Temperature gradients of seventy to seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit towards one end of the snake’s cage, and eighty and eighty-five degrees Fahrenheit on the opposite end, should be maintained.
