Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Corn snakes have been a favorite of mine since I was about 4 years old. I like them so much that, when I was done with school, I searched for employment opportunities that would let me live in Jasper County, South Carolina. I was successful and now live in the heart of “Okeetee” country.

I consider myself blessed because corns and many other herp species literally show up on my doorstep. After seeing a good many corns, I’ve yet to see one that is as clean in pattern as the most popular captive bred lines. There is one thing I specifically see in wild animals that is lacking in the best captive bred specimens, and that is longitudinal striping (like in yellow ratsnakes). I’ve included three photos of corns, two wild and one CBB, to illustrate this.

My question is, how penetrant a trait is longitudinal striping? If I breed a wild snake displaying this trait with the pictured CBB animal, will most of the offspring show striping? Some of you may suggest I get another CBB animal without striping to breed with the snake, but I’m a little concerned about the level of inbreeding with this option. It appears that one or two lines of “Okeetee” corns are the most popular, and many corn snake enthusiasts are obtaining animals of these lineages. With time most CBB animals may share genes with these lines. Since I have the opportunity to introduce wild “Okeetee” corn genes in breedings, I think I should take advantage of it. But I really enjoy looking at cleanly patterned and vividly colored corns. I think longitudinal striping detracts from a snake’s appearance, but, at the same time, wild corn genes should sustain vigor and genetic variability in CBB snakes.

Wild ’06 corn found 8/06 crawling down the side of my house.

Wild ’06 corn found 12/06 in my garage (Average high in Dec. was 70F).

CBB ’06 corn purchased from breeder 8/06 at the NRBE in Daytona. Don’t remember the breeder, but the snake looks similar to Lee Abbott’s animals. The seller was not Lee.

I’ve seen larger corns but have not kept them due to the possibility of increased parasite load with age as well as their value as breeders to the local wild population.

Any thoughts? All comments / input appreciated.

Regards,

WK

Man those are some gorgeous okeetees!!I know what you mean by the lines in the pattern.I have some locality miamis that have those to some extent.It might be a good idea to introduce some w/c blood to the mix,if I had some locality specimens like those,I know I would! Jeff

Jeff, thanks for replying. The cornsnake you posted is absolutely beautiful. What lineage(s) produced that animal?

I think I’m going to breed a pair from the back yard and just see if all offspring show some degree of striping. Maybe a few will be without it. Also, there should be no problem with releasing the young because they are locality.

Here is another one my kids found on a water faucet attached to the back of the house today. They came running up to the car with it as I drove up the driveway coming home from work. Once again, the wild snake shows rich colors, nice contrasting pattern, and faint striping. It looks like another last year’s hatchling.

Regards,
WK

...the first one is TOO NICE.
Incredible banded pattern on that one. WOW...

I've seen photos of numerous animals from different breeders' Banded lines that don't compare to that animal.
And those are generations-old, SELECTIVELY BRED captive lines I'm referring to. Your animal is WILD CAUGHT, and is ALREADY 'ahead' of many of the captive Banded lines.

In addition to the banded pattern, another nice feature of that animal is how the black outlining the saddles is thick dorsally and greatly reduced or absent laterally.

Congrats. I wish I had that animal in my collection. Yeah, I'm greedy/envious like that...lol

Please, if you have them, post a photo or two that shows the side pattern of that Corn better. Thanks...

BB
-----
"Have you hugged your drummer today?" --- Me

Hi, and thank you for the nice comments about the snake. I didn't know corn snakes were being selectively bred for banding but then I'm not current on all the new pattern / color varieties. I took a quick snapshot of the snake stretched out on a twig this evening. It's not the best shot but does give you a side view of the pattern. The snake is in the "post-blue" clear phase that immediately precedes shedding so it isn't as vivid as usual.

Regards,
WK

Yeah!,.....that one especially, is a real beauty!, It needs to be introduced into your "resume" of future projects!!.......Doug
-----
Better to be silent and thought a fool, than to open mouth and remove any doubt!