OK so a local pet supermarket I go to get rodents from (when I forget to take the trip to Lakeland which saves me a ton) has a few balls in the tank. A very pretty looking normal, a "fancy" one with a label "Mojave" which I can verify, and a very pretty little purple looking one. The only information they can provide is... " blah blah blah reptile industries. Blah blah blah Mojave written on bag. Blah blah blah snippy little snakes". I have done my research and can identify the genes in the ball python. At first I thought purple passion. But seeing how there's too much pattern I realize its a mystic potion.
Now I'm not for pet store finds especially since they know nothing of the animal and the conditions are a bad word for crap. I mean its skin is flaky telling me its having a hard time shedding, its tiny... Like fresh out the egg tiny, all 3 are in one tank... Just a mess. I've visited a few times over the passed month and it catches me every time. I want that noodle. The Mojave is gorgeous but the potion is amazing and its 2 genes for one!
My dilemma... I don't want to feed the machine! I know me purchasing and saving that beautiful baby will only create the demand and they will resupply with another poor baby. I don't have the most space but I know I can house and care for it to bring it back to 100%. On the other hand I would love to add it to my collection. I was looking for a Mojave and a mystic would be a great addition as well so both at once would be a great enhancement to my future plans.
I spoke with my lady and logically she stated "work with what you have for now. We are going to need space for babies when Harleen drops the clutch and its gonna be tight". She's right but I explained my points and the fact that $160 for a snake I can't find for less than $300 online (for a mediocre example of the potion) is amazing even having to bring it back from pet store condition health. So she hits me with... " if you can low ball them to $120 or so and you really want it then go for it".
Thoughts. Concerns. Help me. What should I do? I'm reaching into a pool of knowledge and ideas and opinions to come to a solid conclusion as to what to do.