Back in the old days (meaning the 1950s, 60, and 70s, snake hunters were allowed to drive the quiet dirt roads and walk the fields and woodlands of Okeetee Club. Several snake species were eagerly sought. Those most eagerly hunted were the canebrake and eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, southern pine snakes, eastern hognoses, and corn snakes Sadly, today the club is gated and trespassing is no longer allowed.

OK. That’s the short story about Okeetee. Now back to the corn snakes of the region.

As suggested by the above ad, many (but most definitely not all!) of the corn snakes found in the “Low Country” of southeastern SC were and are magnificent creatures. On the best ones—the ones that have come to be thought of by hobbyists as the “Okeetee corns,” the ground color is a rich orange red, the saddles are a true bright red and are outlined by a ring of jet black that is just about one scale row wide, and there is some yellow laterally (most obvious near the neck). The belly is boldly patterned in black and white. But like corn snakes everywhere colors may vary and the simple mentioning of Okeetee as a locale may not produce the snake that you were hoping it would be.

As if the prettiest of the wild Okeetee corns were not spectacular enough, selective breeding has produced strains that I’ll dub enhanced Okeetees. On these the colors are just a wee bit brighter and the black that outlines each saddle may be just a bit wider.

If you happen to be interested in either Okeetee or enhanced Okeetee corns (or corn snakes of about 30 other colors or patterns for that matter) you won’t have to go far to find them. Simply check the ads here on Kingsnake.com. The selection routinely offered will astound you.

This is an Okeetee corn that has been line bred for several generations for enhanced color intensity.



An enhanced color intensity Okeetee corn snake.