Pastels...Looking for some "Professional" clarification/insight.

[Rawbbeh]

Hey there,
Was hoping that a “Pro” on the Pastel morph might see this post and provide a little insight on this morph for me.

I read a post about the general background on the morph, and while the topic of “blushing” in the pastel is mentioned…it is not particularly noted if blushing in the dark bands is something that is desired or not desired when it comes to this morph.

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

One of the things that really caught my eye when I bought my first ball python, was this beautiful snake with solid black stripes separating bright yellow bands on its body. (Bought her direct from the breeder at the ETHS Expo in Houston this past October)

So, my question is…I know there are different “Lines” of Pastels (Lemon line etc) however, in general…is blushing something that morph collectors look for in this particular morph? Does high amounts of blushing separate a great specimen from a mediocre or poor specimen? Or does it really truly depend on the Line?

I have been told my pastel is a real beauty both in person and from other BP owners here on the forums…I’m not questioning if my snake is a super model or anything…in my opinion she was a beautiful snake that caught my eye and said “I am the one for you”. But how I am asking this is more of a textbook approach to the morph…

On a side note: I was thinking about breeding her in the future (when she is up to size and such) to a Spotnose...as spotnoses tend to have very black dark areas and more "Lava Lamp" globbed black areas. I was thinking the combination of my pastel girl and a spotnose would hopefully create some really beautiful Pastel Spotnoses! What do you think?

Here are some pictures of my Pastel “Bellatrix” (now 265 grams). Sorry you have to witness her feeding…(Taken last week)






These pictures were taken about a month after I bought her.





And here are some baby pictures of her when I first got her Oct 1st. (she was born July 24th 2011) (65 grams when I got her.)

[h00blah]

i'm not a professional or anything, and i'm not a breeder, but IMO, when I describe a pastel, i always say "yellow snake with rich black patterning with low to high blushing."... the low to high blushing is all dependent on what YOU want to produce.. both levels of blushing are sought after.. kindof like highwhite/lowwhite spiders.. i prefer medium. i don't like the super high whites, and i don't want a low white.. i used to really like low whites, but i prefer the mediums to show in bumblebees =]

my perfect pastel > HIGH yellow > dark black (little to no blushing) patterning

i think i speak for everyone when i say the high yellow is a must have lol. as long as it holds to adulthood... that would be an exceptional example of a pastel no matter how much blushing it has lol

[aalomon]

As with most morphs, people have different opinions of what makes it the best. The importance of blushing/reduced pattern/busy pattern/high contrast varies from person to person. I think the best way to think about it is snakes that are extreme in any of these traits are high quality IMHO.

For example, a pastel with extreme blushing would be more appealing to me than one with a slightly reduced pattern. However, one with an extremely reduced pattern is more appealing than one with a little blushing.

I will say that the exception to this is that almost everyone will say a high quality pastel will not brown out (or the browning will be minimal). This is probably the most important.

So, it probably goes

1 - Color
2 - Excellent Example of Another Trait (ex: blushing)
3 - Excellent example of a Third Trait (ex: blushing and reduced pattern)
....

[Skittles1101]

Pastels definitely look sharp against a pure black. I personally have a thing for blushing, that goes for just about any morph for me though. I must say color is #1 for pastels, over blushing. Nothing worse than a browned out pastel. I love my male pastel because he's a high yellow, even at 800 grams, and even his high blushing has yellow to it. But your pastel looks really sweet with that jet black

[meowmeowkazoo]

Blushing is generally a desirable trait with pastels. However, as LGray stated, color is most important.

[python_addict]

Im so with you! I love the jet black this guy was perfect had only a few blushings but I mostly went for cleanliness, coloring and the reduced pattern on him. I think thats a key thing is to look for less browning those have more of a chance of keeping more yellow

[angllady2]

I'm not a pro, but I am a breeder.

I agree with what has been said thus far. Different people have different ideas about what makes a high quality this-or-that, compared to a low quality this-or-that.

My high quality mojave for example, could be the ugliest mojave ever to you.

In general, what is desirable in pastels is first off high yellow coloring. This can be very hard to spot in hatchlings, but usually an orange hatchling is going to turn brown really quickly. I have however noticed a trend with certain pastels, they are orange as hatchlings and then turn yellow as they mature, but it is a lighter, brighter orange than a hatchling that will turn brown. It takes a great deal of practice to pick out the difference, which is why I'm still looking for my ideal pastel.

After the bright yellow coloring, the rest is subject to personal taste. One of my favorite pastel photos recently was of a stunning girl, very high yellow, tons of bright yellow blushing on her back, deep black side pattern, huge yellow belly flames, and a very small brown out line on her back. If I ever saw a girl like her for sale, I'd snatch her up so fast you'd think she was a mirage.

BUT, maybe your ideal pastel would be very high yellow and deep black, with little to no blushing and no flames on her belly. It's all relative.



Gale

[Rat160]

Your question can't really be answered because as people have stated everyone's opinion on what high quality is differs. For instance I don't care for high white pieds, instead I prefer pieds that have as little white as possible.

I also like a full dorsal stripe in any snake and may consider a lighter colored or less blushed snake if it had a full dorsal stripe.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Rawbbeh]

Thanks for your comments thus far. They have been insightful.

If I could bother you for one more thing...In regards to breeding her in the future...Do you think breeding her with a spotnose would turn out something neat?