What constitutes a black pastel?

If you had to describe one to someone who has only seen normals what would be the defining characteristics?

http://www.ball-pythons.net/forums/s...-Black-Pastels

Ah yes lol I figured it wasn't going to be very easy.. Thanks for the link =]

Actually, it's very easy.

Look closely at the pictures of the black pastels. See the black squiggles around the centers of the "alien head" markings ? That is the single most consistent identifier of a black pastel.

If I saw any snake with those markings, I'd know it was a black pastel.

Gale

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Originally Posted by angllady2

Actually, it's very easy.

Look closely at the pictures of the black pastels. See the black squiggles around the centers of the "alien head" markings ? That is the single most consistent identifier of a black pastel.

If I saw any snake with those markings, I'd know it was a black pastel.

Gale

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Not trying to jack the thread. Question about this though. I purchased a BP from a petCo a couple months ago or so. I've looked at many different lines of black pastel and (most) also have different coloring. The snake I got has "normal" coloring but very distinctly has the "sguiggles". From what I understand about petCo, they sell (captive hatched) snakes. So, would a snake with "squiggles" be a black pastel or can a "normal" also have them?

Do you have pictures?

I only have one Black Pastel, but the main difference I've noticed is that the blacks are "velvety" looking...for lack of a better word...the black just looks different. Maybe it's just my girl...:confused: :D

There are other things to look for, as pointed out above...

Is it possible for a normal to have the squiggles ? I'm going to say yes. There are many different traits to show the black pastel gene.

Perhaps I should have worded it better. Something like, " If I saw a snake marked as a black pastel that had the squiggles, I'd know for sure that's what it was."

I don't recall ever seeing a normal with those markings, but I hesitate to say only black pastels can carry them, although maybe only black pastels do.

Perhaps someone who breeds them can chime in ? Or someone who has an undoubted normal who has the squiggles ?

Gale

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Originally Posted by LotsaBalls

The snake I got has "normal" coloring but very distinctly has the "sguiggles"

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Then it's a normal, Black pastels are not "normal" colored.

Post a picture. You could still have a nice dinker project, even if it is a "normal".