Second snake- go big or not at all!

So, as alot of you know since I will not shut up about it, I am looking in to getting a second BP. I would love to have a pied or (and?) and a BEL in my life! For me- someone who has no interest in breeding- this is a pretty big purchase. Is it wise to spend that much money on a snake while I'm still pretty inexperienced? This would be my second snake, and upon further reflection, I thought maybe I should go with something a little less flashy- say a spider or pinstripe. The thing is, I am totally committed to giving Jackson (a normal- I am only suggesting that he was very inexpensive) the absolute best care I can possibly give him, so why not go with my dream snake right off? What was your second?

To me at least the value of a snake does not matter when deciding wether or not to add another to your collection. a $40 normal deserves the same level of respect and care as a $60,000 snake does. what it all comes down to is if you are willing to put in the time and effort.

My second was a male pastel. IMO, the care should not be any better or worse depending on the morph. I treat my male normal just as well as I treat my albino (most "expensive" morph), and it wouldn't change if I had a magpie either. If you can provide the optimum care for your pied, normal, or BEL, then why not?

Yay! So, I'm reading in to this as go for it... :D

Yes if you feel that you can care for a second snake the cost of the snake should only be an issue for your budget.

They're all ball pythons, whatever morph it is you decide to get ;) As pets the only thing you have to worry about are your budget (I'd suggest getting whatever supplies you need first) and your personal preference!

I bought my 2nd snake 6 months after my first snake, and it was a piebald female.

My first snake was a het pied male. I wanted to make sure I knew I was doing, and wouldn't find him belly up a couple week later like my goldfish. I wanted to know that BEFORE I invested in a $1k animal. But you could tell what I really wanted, huh?

I just expanded My collection threefold in one day. But I agree with everyone else, cost of the morph isn't as important as knowing all of your animals will recieve the same commitment to quality care as the first one did.

I just got back in to ball pylons, and I have a BEL and albino. I say get whatever your budget and ability to care for them allows.

My second was a TSK axanthic male. My first was a rescue male.

To be honest, and after seeing some of your other posts and how committed you seem to caring for your Jackson, I really don't see why you shouldn't go for one (or both) of them if they're the morphs that you really want!

They're also just ball pythons, same care, no extra needs that a normal wouldn't have - don't let the prices dictate whether or not you can care for them. In the end a normal is just as valuable as the most expensive designer morph out there, because they're all living beings. The value of their life is what you should be looking at :)

Don't get a morph in between just because most people went that way. Go for the ones you absolutely love, nobody said you have to take stepping stones with morphs.

TL;DR: go for it if you really want those morphs and you have the budget - you seem to really care about your little guy now and I'm sure you'll take good care of your future snakes too :)

If you have your heart set on a BEL or a Pied I would get one of thoughs. If you have no plans to breed get what you want:)

Money doesn't dictate the maturity of the owner. I've seen people with money drop $5k on a snake, only to get "bored" and pawn it off on someone else in poor condition. Price isn't the issue. As someone said above, get a python that you'll love and will take pleasure in taking care of. Just because most people like a certain morph or other, it doesn't make it superior to any other python. They're all lovely, graceful and docile creatures. To discriminate against them based on their color or pattern is no better than full out racism, if you ask me :P

Pick one that *YOU* like and stick with it :)

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Originally Posted by blueberrypancakes

So, as alot of you know since I will not shut up about it, I am looking in to getting a second BP. I would love to have a pied or (and?) and a BEL in my life! For me- someone who has no interest in breeding- this is a pretty big purchase. Is it wise to spend that much money on a snake while I'm still pretty inexperienced? This would be my second snake, and upon further reflection, I thought maybe I should go with something a little less flashy- say a spider or pinstripe. The thing is, I am totally committed to giving Jackson (a normal- I am only suggesting that he was very inexpensive) the absolute best care I can possibly give him, so why not go with my dream snake right off? What was your second?

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My $40 PetCo Iggy gets the exact same care as my soon-to-arrive Kobylka Bumblebee will get.

What "they cost" has no bearing whatsoever on the care they receive.

They are all my beloved pet, 'mutts' or not....:)

I got both my ball pythons at the same time. 2 pieds. With only having about 5 months of snake experience. So I don't think it's bad to jump into a snake you want early.
Don't forget your also going to have this animal for like 20 years. So if you're not going to be completely happy with a spider bp. Then go with the pied.