Corn snakes are considered one of the best snakes for beginners. They are small snakes, usually enjoy being handled, and they have a simple diet that can be easily replicated at home. There are known to be more than 800 different colors and morphs of this type of snake, which means that there is a great range of physical appearance and attributes, as well as a big price difference, with a morph like the Palmetto costing upwards of $1,000 and a more common morph like the Eastern costing less than $50 in most areas. Below are 30 of the rarest corn snake morphs to help you decide which of these intriguing variants to buy.
The 30 Rarest Corn Snake Morphs
- Amelanistic Corn Snake
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A post shared by Clayton | Mesozoic Reptiles (@mesozoicreptiles)
An amelanistic corn snake morph was captured in 1953, and the first example to be bred in captivity appeared in 1961. The popular morph is yellow and orange with red eyes and will cost approximately $75.
- Blood Red Corn Snakes
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A post shared by SnakeDiary蛇寶紀事 (@cornsnakediary)
The blood red corn snake was bred intentionally. It does not have any of the markings of a corn snake but does have a solid, blood-red color. Some examples are more of an orange color and while this morph is quite unique in appearance, it only costs about $80.
- Blood Red Pied-Sided
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A post shared by Darline Tauner (@aciima_ven)
This cross between a piebald and blood-red corn snake is a recent innovation. It is blood-red in color but has faint markings. This morph also has a white belly, and its rarity means that it will cost approximately $250 to buy.
- Crimson
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A post shared by Miguel Marques (@miguelangelomarques)
The crimson blotches on a light orange skin ensure that the crimson corn snake’s colors really pop. This attractive color morph costs around $75 so it is affordable as well as good-looking.
- Coral Snow Corn Snake
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A post shared by Cloud Colubrids (@cloudcolubrids)
The faded pink body of the coral snow corn snake is covered in faded orange patches. This morph will usually, although not always, have a white belly, and will cost approximately $120 so is not the most expensive, despite having a very unusual coloring.
- Candy Cane
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A post shared by EmmonsSnakes (@emmonssnakes)
The candy cane is named for the similarity of its appearance to that of a candy cane. Its white body is covered in bright red patches. This morph is relatively common and popular, costing approximately $50.
- Fluorescent Orange
Fluorescent orange morphs start out life as small pink snakes. Once mature, they have patches of red outlined in white, on top of an orange body. Their unique appearance commands a figure of $150 each.
- Hypomelanistic
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A post shared by Las Vegas Ball Pythons (@lasvegasballpythons)
Hypomelanism is a genetic mutation that causes less black pigment to form. In the case of the corn snake, this means that it is a rust and orange-colored snake. It is a common morph and costs approximately $30, but it is also the basis for many other morphs.
- Okeetee
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A post shared by Cloud Colubrids (@cloudcolubrids)
The okeetee is a wild morph, although it has been caught to the extent that they are difficult to find in the wild today. A captive-bred okeetee will cost you about $120.
- Peppermint Stripe
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A post shared by Capitvating Reptiles LLC (@captivatingreptilesllc)
The peppermint stripe is a genetic combination of amelanistic, cinder, and stripe genes. The resulting morph has a dark pink body and paler pink stripes, and because this is a difficult morph to breed, it can cost $200 to buy.
- Red Amelanistic
The red amelanistic corn snake is a combination of two or more red and pink colors. They are sometimes known as red albinos and can cost $100 to purchase.
- Sunkissed Corn Snake
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A post shared by Edgar Vanden Nieuwenhuyzen (@e.c.reptiles)
The sunkissed morph is a combination of okeetee and hypomelanistic. They have a tan body with brown stripes and this morph will only cost about $50.
- Butter
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A post shared by Sarah M. (@joyprincesssarah)
Butter corn snakes are, unsurprisingly, yellow. They are a combination of snow and caramel morphs and have a light-yellow body with darker yellow blotches. They also have red eyes and only cost $70 per snake.
- Caramel Corn Snake
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A post shared by Pierre Legrée-Hagbarth (@pierodactyle)
The caramel is a natural morph. It has a light brown body and darker brown patches. The patches can vary in shade. The caramel is a common morph but is used to form the basis of others. They are available for $40.
- Creamsicle
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A post shared by Beth (@beth.geekprincess)
The creamsicle morph is complicated. First, an Emory’s rat snake is bred with an eastern corn snake morph. The resulting offspring is then crossed with an albino to give the creamsicle. It has a light-yellow body with darker yellow blotches and red eyes. Considering the complexity of this morph, it is surprising that they are available for as little as $70.
- Eastern
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A post shared by Crissy Hopkins (@hisssycrisssy)
The eastern corn snake is another wild morph, found on the eastern coast of the US. They are common and have a brown body with red blotches. Because they are common, they have the same $30 price tag as that of the standard corn snake.
- Florida
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A post shared by Frances Nunley (@fancis_penny_arcade)
The Florida corn snake looks very similar to the Eastern, and the two are often confused. It has a tan base and red blotches and costs $30.
- Anerythristic
There are two anerythristic morphs, A and B. They have no red, orange, or yellow pigmentation and, as such, they are a combination of grays, whites, and blacks. Markings vary and you should expect to pay up to $100 for one of these.
- Blue
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A post shared by Fuzzy Corn Snakes – Rich Smith (@fuzzycornsnakes)
Combining the charcoal and dilute genes gives us the blue dilute gene. The snake has an almost blue body with dark gray blotches down the body. Expect to pay up to $200 per blue corn snake.
- Ghost Corn Snake
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A post shared by Sarah M. (@joyprincesssarah)
The ghost corn snake is a combination of the anerythristic and hypomelanistic corn snake morphs. Although it has the same markings as a standard corn snake, the colors are muted, giving the ghostly appearance that led to its nickname. The ghost corn snake costs approximately $50.
- Black
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A post shared by Carol’s Critters (@carolscritters)
The black corn snake must be bred from a black devil’s garden corn snake, found in Southwest Florida. The resulting morph has a gray body with dark gray to black blotches. The difficulty of finding the parent snake means that this morph will set you back $100.
- Blizzard
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A post shared by 2Co_Pituophis (@2co_pituophis)
The blizzard morph is truly stunning. They are completely white and have red eyes, although you may be able to see a light yellow line around the markings on the body. Expect to pay $150 for one of these.
- Snow
The snow, or white albino, costs around $100 and is created by combining the amelanistic and anerythristic A morphs. This morph does not occur naturally.
- Lavender
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A post shared by Spitfire Hogs (@spitfirehogs)
The lavender morph is very popular with owners. These snakes look gray when young but the gray turns to a lavender color as it ages. One will cost $50, and the lavender morph is regularly used to cross with other morphs for even more unique snakes.
- Miami Phase
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A post shared by jesus gabriel maldonado (@maldonados_exotic_animals)
The Miami phase corn snake has a silver body and orange blotches. Unusually, this species eats lizards rather than rodents and will set you back $70.
- Opal
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A post shared by Crystal Colubrids (@crystalcolubrids)
Combining the lavender and the amelanistic morphs gives us the designer opal morph. Their colors change a lot as they age but expect this morph to have a white body with very faint markings. They also have red eyes and cost $70.
- Palmetto
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A post shared by Cutting Edge Herpetological (@cuttingedgeherp)
This is a wild morph that has a white body with random colored spots on its body. They have black eyes. Only two wild examples of this snake have been reported, and you will have to pay around $1,500 to get your hands on the palmetto corn snake.
- Pewter
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A post shared by Arjan Coenen (@corns.nl)
The pewter or peppercorn morph has a silver body and light blotches. The blotches fade with age, and the morph costs $100 with cleaner patterns attracting a slightly higher price.
- Pink
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A post shared by • Liz Vermoesen • (@lizs_lovely_noodles)
The pink corn snake is a light pink color although they do have orange stripes and red dashes. They have red eyes, and you will need to pay $150 for a good example of this corn snake morph.
- Scaleless Corn Snake
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A post shared by Luca Fioretti (@cornsnake_world)
The scaleless corn snake is one of the rarest and desirable morphs. It is missing some of its scales on the top or other areas of the snake. It does still have some scales. Expect to pay $500 for this rare morph.
Conclusion Corn snakes are popular pet snakes. As well as being easy to care for and placid to handle, they come in a great variety of morphs, most of which are surprisingly affordable. Check out our list of 30 of the most desirable and rarest morphs to get an idea of which corn snake you want.
We also have a full list of the 50 most well known corn snake morphs!
Featured Image Credit: Scink, Shutterstock
Corn snakes are considered one of the best snakes for beginners. They are small snakes, usually enjoy being handled, and they have a simple diet that can be easily replicated at home.
There are known to be more than 800 different colors and morphs of this type of snake, which means that there is a great range of physical appearance and attributes, as well as a big price difference, with a morph like the Palmetto costing upwards of $1,000 and a more common morph like the Eastern costing less than $50 in most areas.
Below are 30 of the rarest corn snake morphs to help you decide which of these intriguing variants to buy.
The 30 Rarest Corn Snake Morphs
1. Amelanistic Corn Snake
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Clayton | Mesozoic Reptiles (@mesozoicreptiles)
An amelanistic corn snake morph was captured in 1953, and the first example to be bred in captivity appeared in 1961. The popular morph is yellow and orange with red eyes and will cost approximately $75.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Clayton | Mesozoic Reptiles (@mesozoicreptiles)
A post shared by Clayton | Mesozoic Reptiles (@mesozoicreptiles)
View this post on Instagram
View this post on Instagram
2. Blood Red Corn Snakes
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by SnakeDiary蛇寶紀事 (@cornsnakediary)
The blood red corn snake was bred intentionally. It does not have any of the markings of a corn snake but does have a solid, blood-red color. Some examples are more of an orange color and while this morph is quite unique in appearance, it only costs about $80.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by SnakeDiary蛇寶紀事 (@cornsnakediary)
A post shared by SnakeDiary蛇寶紀事 (@cornsnakediary)
3. Blood Red Pied-Sided
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Darline Tauner (@aciima_ven)
This cross between a piebald and blood-red corn snake is a recent innovation. It is blood-red in color but has faint markings. This morph also has a white belly, and its rarity means that it will cost approximately $250 to buy.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Darline Tauner (@aciima_ven)
A post shared by Darline Tauner (@aciima_ven)
4. Crimson
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Miguel Marques (@miguelangelomarques)
The crimson blotches on a light orange skin ensure that the crimson corn snake’s colors really pop. This attractive color morph costs around $75 so it is affordable as well as good-looking.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Miguel Marques (@miguelangelomarques)
A post shared by Miguel Marques (@miguelangelomarques)
5. Coral Snow Corn Snake
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cloud Colubrids (@cloudcolubrids)
The faded pink body of the coral snow corn snake is covered in faded orange patches. This morph will usually, although not always, have a white belly, and will cost approximately $120 so is not the most expensive, despite having a very unusual coloring.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cloud Colubrids (@cloudcolubrids)
A post shared by Cloud Colubrids (@cloudcolubrids)
6. Candy Cane
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by EmmonsSnakes (@emmonssnakes)
The candy cane is named for the similarity of its appearance to that of a candy cane. Its white body is covered in bright red patches. This morph is relatively common and popular, costing approximately $50.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by EmmonsSnakes (@emmonssnakes)
A post shared by EmmonsSnakes (@emmonssnakes)
7. Fluorescent Orange
8. Hypomelanistic
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Las Vegas Ball Pythons (@lasvegasballpythons)
Hypomelanism is a genetic mutation that causes less black pigment to form. In the case of the corn snake, this means that it is a rust and orange-colored snake. It is a common morph and costs approximately $30, but it is also the basis for many other morphs.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Las Vegas Ball Pythons (@lasvegasballpythons)
A post shared by Las Vegas Ball Pythons (@lasvegasballpythons)
9. Okeetee
The okeetee is a wild morph, although it has been caught to the extent that they are difficult to find in the wild today. A captive-bred okeetee will cost you about $120.
10. Peppermint Stripe
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Capitvating Reptiles LLC (@captivatingreptilesllc)
The peppermint stripe is a genetic combination of amelanistic, cinder, and stripe genes. The resulting morph has a dark pink body and paler pink stripes, and because this is a difficult morph to breed, it can cost $200 to buy.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Capitvating Reptiles LLC (@captivatingreptilesllc)
A post shared by Capitvating Reptiles LLC (@captivatingreptilesllc)
11. Red Amelanistic
The red amelanistic corn snake is a combination of two or more red and pink colors. They are sometimes known as red albinos and can cost $100 to purchase.
12. Sunkissed Corn Snake
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Edgar Vanden Nieuwenhuyzen (@e.c.reptiles)
The sunkissed morph is a combination of okeetee and hypomelanistic. They have a tan body with brown stripes and this morph will only cost about $50.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Edgar Vanden Nieuwenhuyzen (@e.c.reptiles)
A post shared by Edgar Vanden Nieuwenhuyzen (@e.c.reptiles)
13. Butter
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sarah M. (@joyprincesssarah)
Butter corn snakes are, unsurprisingly, yellow. They are a combination of snow and caramel morphs and have a light-yellow body with darker yellow blotches. They also have red eyes and only cost $70 per snake.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Sarah M. (@joyprincesssarah)
A post shared by Sarah M. (@joyprincesssarah)
14. Caramel Corn Snake
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Pierre Legrée-Hagbarth (@pierodactyle)
The caramel is a natural morph. It has a light brown body and darker brown patches. The patches can vary in shade. The caramel is a common morph but is used to form the basis of others. They are available for $40.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Pierre Legrée-Hagbarth (@pierodactyle)
A post shared by Pierre Legrée-Hagbarth (@pierodactyle)
15. Creamsicle
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Beth (@beth.geekprincess)
The creamsicle morph is complicated. First, an Emory’s rat snake is bred with an eastern corn snake morph. The resulting offspring is then crossed with an albino to give the creamsicle. It has a light-yellow body with darker yellow blotches and red eyes. Considering the complexity of this morph, it is surprising that they are available for as little as $70.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Beth (@beth.geekprincess)
A post shared by Beth (@beth.geekprincess)
16. Eastern
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Crissy Hopkins (@hisssycrisssy)
The eastern corn snake is another wild morph, found on the eastern coast of the US. They are common and have a brown body with red blotches. Because they are common, they have the same $30 price tag as that of the standard corn snake.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Crissy Hopkins (@hisssycrisssy)
A post shared by Crissy Hopkins (@hisssycrisssy)
17. Florida
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Frances Nunley (@fancis_penny_arcade)
The Florida corn snake looks very similar to the Eastern, and the two are often confused. It has a tan base and red blotches and costs $30.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Frances Nunley (@fancis_penny_arcade)
A post shared by Frances Nunley (@fancis_penny_arcade)
18. Anerythristic
There are two anerythristic morphs, A and B. They have no red, orange, or yellow pigmentation and, as such, they are a combination of grays, whites, and blacks. Markings vary and you should expect to pay up to $100 for one of these.
19. Blue
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fuzzy Corn Snakes – Rich Smith (@fuzzycornsnakes)
Combining the charcoal and dilute genes gives us the blue dilute gene. The snake has an almost blue body with dark gray blotches down the body. Expect to pay up to $200 per blue corn snake.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Fuzzy Corn Snakes – Rich Smith (@fuzzycornsnakes)
A post shared by Fuzzy Corn Snakes – Rich Smith (@fuzzycornsnakes)
20. Ghost Corn Snake
The ghost corn snake is a combination of the anerythristic and hypomelanistic corn snake morphs. Although it has the same markings as a standard corn snake, the colors are muted, giving the ghostly appearance that led to its nickname. The ghost corn snake costs approximately $50.
21. Black
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Carol’s Critters (@carolscritters)
The black corn snake must be bred from a black devil’s garden corn snake, found in Southwest Florida. The resulting morph has a gray body with dark gray to black blotches. The difficulty of finding the parent snake means that this morph will set you back $100.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Carol’s Critters (@carolscritters)
A post shared by Carol’s Critters (@carolscritters)
22. Blizzard
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 2Co_Pituophis (@2co_pituophis)
The blizzard morph is truly stunning. They are completely white and have red eyes, although you may be able to see a light yellow line around the markings on the body. Expect to pay $150 for one of these.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by 2Co_Pituophis (@2co_pituophis)
A post shared by 2Co_Pituophis (@2co_pituophis)
23. Snow
The snow, or white albino, costs around $100 and is created by combining the amelanistic and anerythristic A morphs. This morph does not occur naturally.
24. Lavender
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Spitfire Hogs (@spitfirehogs)
The lavender morph is very popular with owners. These snakes look gray when young but the gray turns to a lavender color as it ages. One will cost $50, and the lavender morph is regularly used to cross with other morphs for even more unique snakes.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Spitfire Hogs (@spitfirehogs)
A post shared by Spitfire Hogs (@spitfirehogs)
25. Miami Phase
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by jesus gabriel maldonado (@maldonados_exotic_animals)
The Miami phase corn snake has a silver body and orange blotches. Unusually, this species eats lizards rather than rodents and will set you back $70.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by jesus gabriel maldonado (@maldonados_exotic_animals)
A post shared by jesus gabriel maldonado (@maldonados_exotic_animals)
26. Opal
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Crystal Colubrids (@crystalcolubrids)
Combining the lavender and the amelanistic morphs gives us the designer opal morph. Their colors change a lot as they age but expect this morph to have a white body with very faint markings. They also have red eyes and cost $70.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Crystal Colubrids (@crystalcolubrids)
A post shared by Crystal Colubrids (@crystalcolubrids)
27. Palmetto
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cutting Edge Herpetological (@cuttingedgeherp)
This is a wild morph that has a white body with random colored spots on its body. They have black eyes. Only two wild examples of this snake have been reported, and you will have to pay around $1,500 to get your hands on the palmetto corn snake.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Cutting Edge Herpetological (@cuttingedgeherp)
A post shared by Cutting Edge Herpetological (@cuttingedgeherp)
28. Pewter
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arjan Coenen (@corns.nl)
The pewter or peppercorn morph has a silver body and light blotches. The blotches fade with age, and the morph costs $100 with cleaner patterns attracting a slightly higher price.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Arjan Coenen (@corns.nl)
A post shared by Arjan Coenen (@corns.nl)
29. Pink
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by • Liz Vermoesen • (@lizs_lovely_noodles)
The pink corn snake is a light pink color although they do have orange stripes and red dashes. They have red eyes, and you will need to pay $150 for a good example of this corn snake morph.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by • Liz Vermoesen • (@lizs_lovely_noodles)
A post shared by • Liz Vermoesen • (@lizs_lovely_noodles)
30. Scaleless Corn Snake
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Luca Fioretti (@cornsnake_world)
The scaleless corn snake is one of the rarest and desirable morphs. It is missing some of its scales on the top or other areas of the snake. It does still have some scales. Expect to pay $500 for this rare morph.
View this post on Instagram
A post shared by Luca Fioretti (@cornsnake_world)
A post shared by Luca Fioretti (@cornsnake_world)
Conclusion
Corn snakes are popular pet snakes. As well as being easy to care for and placid to handle, they come in a great variety of morphs, most of which are surprisingly affordable. Check out our list of 30 of the most desirable and rarest morphs to get an idea of which corn snake you want.
- We also have a full list of the 50 most well known corn snake morphs!
Featured Image Credit: Scink, Shutterstock
