I think pastels are the results of good line breeding. It’s genetic, but not the result of a single gene, much like skin color in humans. All of my Columbians are so called “pastels” and I have paid far above pet store prices for them. However, I don’t mind because before the pastel craze many bred for high color and these high colored babies more often then not turned into dark dull adults. I always thought it was funny that a $250 baby boa later sells for $100 as an adult.
The pastel trend has led to people breeding for a reduction of black that seems to be the secret for light adults. An added bonus is that the reduction of dark pigment seems to allow for more color to show through as sub adults and adults. I never wanted to buy a Columbian before the pastel trend. I knew that many turned into great looking adults, but I did not want to risk it. The boas at the top of thread look as good as any pastel, and the price was definitely better. However, he states that they were plain gray babies. So they could have easily ended up being drab dark brown adults. Since I only keep a few boas, I prefer to pay the extra money for snakes that show the high reduction of black as babies. They don’t have to be called “pastels”, but the term serves as an easy way of summarizing their traits. Look at Gray’s site (allboas.com) to see an incredible collection of “normal” Columbians that don’t have the pastel label but fit what I look for in a boa anyway.
just the opinion of a novice collector,
Alton
