Lucy's

[Alice]

I'm also curious about the differences between the Lesser BEL and the Butter BEL. I like the way Butters look, but do they affect the BEL?

Good question. I know Butter BELs look very different than Mojo BELS but I have not seen a side-by-side comparison between a Lesser BEL, a combo BEL (Lesser/Mojo, Butter/Mojo, Lesser/Butter), and a Butter BEL. In fact, my BEL is the only one I've seen from a Butter.

I have seen numerous Lesser BELs, and I think, like other ball python morphs, there are sometimes color differences within the BELs from any "line" in the "platinum complex." Some of the Lesser BELs I've seen at the same time had some that were whiter than others, some had a more pronounced dorsal stripe, etc. and I would expect the same from any of the "lines" (Butter, Mojo, Russo, or a combo). As always, quality rules!

I snatched my BEL up as soon as I saw it since I do like the look of the Butter more than the Lesser, but there are still many unanswered questions and differing opinions about the BELs. For example, what do you get when you breed a combo BEL (let's use Lesser/Mojo) to a normal? Do you get just Lessers and Mojos or are there some normals in the clutch? Does the clutch contain another BEL? The answer, IMHO, depends on whether the BEL is a super form of the platimum complex snakes or another combo like a bumblebee. I think that a combo BEL is a super form from the "Platinum complex" but many well respected breeders disagree. This year should shed some light on many questions surrounding the BELs.

There are some BP.net members that have been working with Butters and Lessers for a while longer than I have and might be able to shed some light on the matter.