I have a BEL (bam x les) Was wondering what a good mate would be, aside producing more Lucy’s what are some good looking morphs I could wind up with from what combos.
1 Like
There’s 2 answers here.
One is that the ball python market is oversaturated in the US right now. It can make it difficult to sell unless you spring for the expensive current project big breeders are racing for. Also keep in mind that’s more to feed while you’re sitting on babies and possibly medical bills if a prolapse, eggbinding or incubation issue happens.
Also keep in mind there are morphs with issues so really look into genes beforehand. Lesser for example can cause bug eyes when producing a super lesser. But BELs can cause eye deformities in albinos or Pieds as well.
Two is… You should be breeding what YOU want to breed. Yeah it can be what one of the big breeders is doing, just you should want to see that. Personally, my first project was BELs and hypo. I loved the colors and with the right combo of fire or Blk pastel and enchi, it can look really neat. I have a couple other little groups as well now for other projects like pieds.
Browse around morphmarket’s sales or previously sold animals with lesser or bamboo and see if there’s anything that catches your eye.
Edit: I’d also consider a visual recessive or another allelic animal so you can guarantee that your offspring have at least 2 genes. But that’s just personal habit when I’m able to.
5 Likes
I honestly didn’t really plan on selling. Just a little hobby project for me and possibly something for trade at some point. I’ve heard of the issues breeding bel to pied or albino. Really would just like some neat morphs but wasn’t sure of what could be produced from a bel besides more bels haha. Thanks for the info.
Well… here’s a couple of mine for ideas.
This is my newest BEL gene girl that I fell in love with.
She’s from the same breeder I got my first BEL pairing from. Distantly related to them so she’s like a little family line for me.
She’s a mojave, cinnamon, enchi, fire, HI OD
Another of mine: cinnamon lesser satin
I just really like the way that some of the BEL genes play with genes like Hypo, fire and cinnamon. I haven’t found the right bamboo for my group yet, but that’s another one I may consider in the future.
BELs can really make some neat offspring, but they can be very tricky to ID if you do hit another BEL, lol.
2 Likes
Those are awesome, I was looking at a few fires that are available near me but was also looking at some bananas
2 Likes
Just a side note. If you don’t already have one, I recommend finding a reptile vet you can depend on. But since you own reptiles you should already have one……
Good luck!
2 Likes
Yeah, kinda why that wasn’t part of the original post but thanks for the input haha
1 Like
You may have already explored the MorphMarket genetic calculator, but just in case, here the link:
https://www.morphmarket.com/c/reptiles/pythons/ball-pythons/genetic-calculator
1 Like
Yes I’ve been using that but I’m looking for input from folks with experience in breeding projects using their Lucy’s.
2 Likes