Hi coulpe of questions.1st,what do u look for to know if it is a black pastel...2nd, can u take a look at the belly... i think before i got him he had belly rot.. and 3rd, are these pied markers....if u look at the belly pics there weird and they look funky...http://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file..._298_thumb.jpghttp://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file..._301_thumb.jpghttp://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file..._300_thumb.jpghttp://ball-pythons.net/gallery/file..._297_thumb.jpgthanks for looking...RichieBoo.