1. Pastels are a color mutation, They have easily identifiable traits (for some). All pastels at birth have Faded heads as shown with the BLUE arrow, as they get older the fading can darken up or stay very light like this animal. Pastels also have Peach and Yellow color all over them. (some have a lighter brown on the top, that is where the term "brown out " comes from). This is where the name Pastel comes from. The color is shown with the RED arrows. This is a New Line of Pastel

2. Another key trait to Pastels is green eyes, as shown with the RED circle. The green eyes can vary from a dark green to a very vibrant and noticeable green like this snake. Also you can see the faded head with the BLUE arrow. This is a Wild Caught Pastel

3. Most Pastels also have "Blushing" That is the light fading in the black usually on the snakes back, as shown with the PURPLE circle. You can also see the nice yellow color with the RED arrows and the very faded head with the BLUE arrow, This is an adult animal which has retained its color and head fading, so in my opinion is a very nice Pastel. This is an RMJ line Pastel.

4. A lot of pastels also have white "lips" as shown with the purple arrow. This particular animal has some of the "Whitest" (not a word but it fits lol) lips I have seen on a Pastel. You can also see the faded head with the BLUE arrow and the dark green eyes with the RED circle. This is a New Line Pastel

Variations and Examples:

Variation 1- This is an exceptional Graziani Line pastel. He has an exceedingly high amount of blushing shown in the RED circles. He has also retained a lot of his yellow coloration. Once again the faded head is shown with a BLUE arrow

Variation 2- This is a good example of a Lemon Line Pastel. Notice the Florescent Yellow color along the back shown with the BLUE arrow, that color is a trait of Lemons. Green eyes shown with the RED circle.

Variation 3- This is an exceptional Matrix line Blonde Pastel. Blonde Pastels tend to get brighter as they get older. They also have a very high amount of bright Yellow as babies.

Variation 4 - This is a Graziani Line pastel. This is a banded pattern animal that has a very low amount of blushing. It also did not keep much of its baby color. He is an average pastel in my opinion.

There are many more variations of Pastels, but they all follow the same rules.

1. Faded Head
2. Green eyes
3. Pastel Coloration
4. Clean stomachs
5. Most animals have some degree of blushing (some lines do lack blushing)

On a side note, all Pastel lines can produce spectacular animals as well as average ones. Some lines are reputed to have better color as they age (and this is true in some cases) But I have seen outstanding animals in all lines!

Hope this helps
The Guide

Jon Dvoretz
Next World Exotics