First, an element of this discussion that has been posted on and clarified MANY times is that the pastel trait as defined by Jeff Ronne does not have anything to do with color, only a reduction in the normal amount of black pigment. The following is an excerpt from one of my previous posts:

The Pastel trait was developed, named and defined by Jeff Ronne as, "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, nor more no less."

Also, "Color is something that is enhanced by the Pastel trait not something that defines it at all.....color is not a deciding factor as to whether or not a Boa is Pastel."

These excerpts are from Jeff's Pastel Boa History which can be found on his forum page at:
www.boaconstrictor.net/forums/showthread.php?t=386

Second, the coral trait has been around for as long as the Kahl albino has been. Coral albinos popped up early, in some of Pete Kahl's first litters and were distinct from the regular albinos right from the start. Coral albinos were not developed by selective/line breeding.

Finally, I have not seen any Sharp albinos advertised as corals, and in my opinion it would be improper to do so as this would imply that the Sharp albino in question carries the same coral trait associated with Kahl albinos, and there is absolutely no way that anyone has proven that to be true. If somebody develops a line of Sharp albinos that exhibits characteristics similar to the coral trait in Kahl albinos, they should choose a name other than coral to describe their line/trait.

Steve Reiners

www.BoaMorph.com

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