Pastel Boa,Term "Pastel" coined by Jeff Ronne As well as the appearance of Pastel in Boa Constrictors was identified by Jeff Ronne.

Below is Mr. Ronne's Definition of Pastel



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.

Pastel is a selectively bred polygenic trait.

Some People believe the Pastel trait has something to do with color. It really does not. The Pastel trait removes black pigment allowing the color underneath to be seen.

Plus in my opinion there are varying degrees of Pastel in Boas.

Although when yuou see a really nice Pastel Boa you know it is Pastel.



The Jungle Boa

Lars Brandle of Sweden was the first to produce Jungle Boas. Peter Kahl imported some of these into the states and continued to work with them. He identified the Jungle Boas as a Codominant trait. This means a Jungle Boa has 2 distinct appearances. 1 appearance for a "normal Jungle"(Heterozygous 1 normal gene, 1 mutant gene)Then there is a different appearance for the Super Jungle Boa (Homozygous 2 mutant genes). There are distinct visual differences in the two types. So to be a Jungle Boa it must come from the Swedish Bloodline as well as have identifiable Jungle Characteristics. There are many identifiable characteristics in Jungle boas. Not every Jungle has every characteristic though.

The number 1 most obvious characteristic is an aberrant pattern.Often extremely crazy striped or chain link type patterns exist. Also holes/circles can exist in the saddles pattern. Less aberrant Boas usually show degree of this not always.Then you have a dark thin border around tail blotches often body saddles have darker borders as well not as defined as tail.There most often is a Lateral to Dorsal color difference.A creamy buck skin type color Dorsally is quite common. With a distinct line of color that changes laterally.Unusual Dorsal Line head marking can be split or almost arrow like in shape and appearance.I've also always thought many baby Jungles appear to have an elongated head some what.

The best way to learn how to identify Jungle Boas would be to look at pictures of known Jungle(meaning from Swedish Line)or better yet look at them in person. Once you see a true solid Jungle you understand it looks like no other Boa type.Once you grasp that then you can start to form opinions about "Low Expression Jungles" and Salmon or Hypo Jungles.

Hope this helps



Pic of My '07 Jungle Het Albino Het stripe













Couple pics of Peter Kahls Jungles @ Tinley Park NARBC 2008











I've ioncluded a Link below to KS Boa Morph page.

It's in need of updating.

Kingsnake Boa Morphs

Also below link to Jungle story on Peter Kahl site



, . . . . Lar M


Jungle Boa Peter Kahl


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Boas By Klevitz

Boas By Klevitz

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