this forum is different

[tribalsnake]

I will see what I can do for the pics Tom, Thanks.......Jon

[tribalsnake]

Here are some more pics of my boa per request.....Thanks, Jon

[Ophiophilia]

Very nice pics

[Tom]

Hi Jon,

In my opinion that boa of yours looks to be a Pastel boa too. Thanks for posting the pictures.

Take care
Tom

[tribalsnake]

Originally Posted by Tom

Hi Jon,
In my opinion that boa of yours looks to be a Pastel boa too. Thanks for posting the pictures.
Take care
Tom

That is not the first time I've heard that. You'll have to excuse me, but what exactly does that mean? I am very new to boas and still learning all the types. If you could clue me in I would appreciate it. Thanks a bunch, Jon

[Tom]

Originally Posted by tribalsnake

That is not the first time I've heard that. You'll have to excuse me, but what exactly does that mean? I am very new to boas and still learning all the types. If you could clue me in I would appreciate it. Thanks a bunch, Jon

This info was taken from Jeff Ronnes site he is the man that named the first Pastel boa.

A Pastel is this: A Boa that has an odd overall wash lacking the normal amount of black and a reduction in black pigmentation in particular throughout the pattern. This is particularly apparent in babies, which have the same kind of washed out pattern as Hypos. The saddles as well as the side blotches have less black than normal In fact, often the side blotches have no black whatsoever. That's it, no more no less. Now it is unfortunate that this leaves a lot to interpretation. Identifying Pastels can be and is subjective. It is very much a matter of opinion. There are definitely degrees of Pastelism. How much Pastelism is required to label an animal Pastel? I don't know what measure others may use, but I know what I look for in babies. I look for nearly no black in the side pattern. A very small amount of black can be found but nearly none normally.
The History of Pastel Dream Colombian Boas. - The Boa Network Forum Boards


A pastel in my opinion has brown / tan saddles with no black outline in them and the side medallions have very little to no black in them. Also a pastel does not have to be pink or red to be a pastel they can be gray sometimes only reduced black as Jeff describes. With the reduction of black in them the lighter colors such as pink and red stand out more.

Here are some pictures of my Pastels.





You can see the color difference in the normal boa and the pastel boa in these next two pictures.


The pastel boa is the bottom one in this picture and the boa on top is just a normal boa with a lot of red in him.












Take care
Tom

	Hypomelanistic Hypomelanistic - a genetic reduction in the dark pigment Melanin.

[tribalsnake]

Thanks Tom,
I'm sure I could learn a few things hangin' around with you for a while! Wow. The pictures you posted of your snakes are awesome. You have some beautiful boas in your collection. I appreciate the definition you gave me on the subject and for taking the time to do so. It is really cool to see boas similar to mine as adults, it is amazing to me the changes in color most boas take on as they grow up. Do all types gain a darker color as they age? Just curious. Thanks again, Jon

[Tom]

Originally Posted by tribalsnake

Do all types gain a darker color as they age? Just curious. Thanks again, Jon

Yes most boas will get darker with age but they will get more color in them than they had as babies then they darken up some up as adults.

Here is a Suriname BCC that I had that was light when I first got him then he got really dark.





Here is a Guyana BCC that I had that was light when I first got her then she got dark.




However some do get lighter like my female Bolivian BCA.

She is even lighter than this now.



Take care
Tom

	Boa Constrictor Constrictor Red Tail Boa Constrictor (Boa constictor constrictor). Refers to "true" red tail boas such as the Guyana and Suriname locales.

[tribalsnake]

Again...thanks for the information. I'm sure it will help others out there too, as I know it has helped me. Thanks again, Jon

[waltah!]

Great lookin BCI! Welcome to RTB.

	Boa Constrictor Imperator Boa Constrictor (Boa constrictor imperator). Most common is the Colombian Boa.