Pastels...

[starmom]

In my opinion, a pastel is a pastel. They are all compatible. Go with the best looking one, regardless of the line. Hope this helps. BTW, post some pics!!

I'm thinking that you might not have seen enough pastels. In my opinion, all pastels are not created equal, even though they are all breeding compatible.

[starmom]

Does anyone have an example of this happening?

JonV

What? Do you mean if I were to cross my NERD lemon who I purchased from NERD with my TSK pastel who I purchased from TSK? I'm sure it happens all the time... matter of course.

[littleindiangirl]

Well, that's rather misleading....

You have no idea. Was walking past a table last fall, where there was a sticker in big bold lettering NERD LINE LEMON PASTEL!

It was seriously, the UGLIEST pastel I have ever seen. It looked like a normal. Not what a lemon is supposed to look like at all

[JoshJP7]

The name means nothing to me... A pastel could be super bright and be called the poop pastel and Id still take it over some NERD pastels. Alot of people put the name of the line hoping it will help them sell the snake easier... Ill admit that there are differences between the different lines(obv or else theyd all be the same) but just bc your buying a NERD or Graziani pastel doesnt mean your getting top quality.

[Spaniard]

I have a preference for Nerd Lemon pastels, but it has to be a good "example" of the line. In the end I've seen amazing and ugly examples of all the lines; leads me to believe that selective breeding is more important than the genetics of the line itself. Be a smart buyer, know your breeder, and pick an animal that calls to you.

[starmom]

The name means nothing to me... A pastel could be super bright and be called the poop pastel and Id still take it over some NERD pastels. Alot of people put the name of the line hoping it will help them sell the snake easier... Ill admit that there are differences between the different lines(obv or else theyd all be the same) but just bc your buying a NERD or Graziani pastel doesnt mean your getting top quality.

I agree with a caveat: When I buy a NERD lemon pastel from NERD I am TOTALLY certain that I am purchasing a top quality lemon pastel to the extent that my dollars and their stock will allow.

Also, when I purchase from NERD, TSK, VPI (to name a few) I am TOTALLY certain that I am getting top quality given that these are top quality breeders. Top quality infers looks, health, feeding response, etc.

[Bruce Whitehead]

It was seriously, the UGLIEST pastel I have ever seen. It looked like a normal. Not what a lemon is supposed to look like at all

I agree, buy what animal you like and what fits in your plans.

When I got my pastel, it was based entirely on his phenotype and what he looked like.

Later I asked... about 4 months after getting the snake, as to the origin and where the stock had come from. It was a good line, and there was a very clear delineation regarding what generation mine was, etc. But that never impacted my decision, it was based on this snake being, IMHO, a perfect example of what I found appealing in a pastel.

I see lots of people that slap the name on the snake and hope for the best. I quizzed a guy at a show that had done that. His response. `well i made this snake, with my male that i got from so and so... he got his stock from so and so, who claims it was a *insert brand name here*...` to me that is too many cooks hanging over the stew.

bruce

[JoshJP7]

I dont see how you can say that just because its coming from NERD or the other its "top quality"... Ive seen plenty of snakes on these top peoples websites that are far from top quality looks wise. Just because it ate at NERD's facility doesnt mean its going to eat when it gets to your house... On reptile radio a couple weeks ago a top breeder(i think it was prehistoric pets) said they moved a snake from the snake warehouse to his sons bedroom and the snake wouldnt eat... The only thing I feel you get "for sure" when buying from the big guys is a snake that is healthy and you'll actually get the animal you paid for. With that said theres no reason a small guy can't provide you with the exact same thing even if theirs isnt labled "NERD PASTEL." I know I bought my pastel from someone who I've never heard of before and she looks much better than many of the pastels for sale on some of these top peoples websites.

[starmom]

I can say it because it is true

[West Coast Jungle]

Alot of codoms have been bred to normal females and that can affect the look and quality of the morph. I have seen a single clutch of pastels with the alot of variation with the obvoius hotty right next to a dog. So there are alot of factors.

I pick the quality of the animal first and line is more of a reference. I have 6 different lines of pastel so its not like one dominates in my book.