Any advice for a newcomer to the hobby?

[Snake Judy]

I keep seeing time and again that a large enclosure can stress an animal out and, since it is coming from highly experienced breeders I guess I can't really argue with it, but I still can't understand it, it seems so backwards to me. Does that mean that snaks in the wild are constantly in a state of panic? Wouldnt a tiny cage be way more stressful than a large one? What is it about a big cage that worries them? Are they afraid something else could be in there with them because of the extra space?

I can see how you'd think I was going for a hatchling, but that isn't the case... LOL... I really don't think a hatchling would be suitable for me because 1. I don't want to have to buy multiple enclosures and 2. I'd like an already-tame snake and 3. My snake could live 40 years, there is no need for me to insist on a young one. On top of that, I have an endless supply of dwarf rabbit babies free whenever I want them, and those are easier for an adult to get down. I feel like a hatchling is more fragile and better for someone with some experience, I'd die of sad if I hurt or killed a poor baby snake. I'd like an adult snake, even though I know those are often more expensive, but it would just be really nice to find one that has been handled a lot and treated kindly, where I don't need to guess "how big are you going to get, how many tanks am I going to have to buy, how much longer will you be able to eat this same food." not to mention the big snakes are so beautiful and impressive.

Is it still necessary to have a hygrometer if you have a large habitat with moist hide and water to soak in? I figured it wouldn't be necessary since the snake can just move around as it feels it needs to be wetter or dryer, or do they not know well enough to do that? One issue I did have with my first was retained eye caps which probably played a role in his aggressiveness, his eyes were blue for a long time every time he shed and I always felt so bad for him. Was that because my humidity was wrong? I mean he was still mean when his eyes were clear but im sure that didn't help...

I strongly disagree with the idea that a larger enclosure = a stressed snake. People think this because yeah, if you throw a ball python in a huge bare tank with two hides and a water bowl and a little aspen, it's likely going to be uncomfortable. Ball pythons are nervous animals and feel very exposed in open spaces. However, if you keep this in mind and set up the space with numerous hides, visual barriers, clutter, fake plants etc. you eliminate that problem. A larger enclosure, set up properly with the snake's needs in mind, gives you so much more opportunity to create an enriching habitat with multiple hides, climbing areas, etc that you wouldn't be able to fit in a smaller space. And the snake will use the space you give it. Even if they're sedentary 90% of the time, that still averages out to about 2 1/2 hours of active time in a day. I see might out and about for a while most nights unless she's in shed or just ate. My enclosure works out to roughly 74G and she uses it all, including the vertical space (which is about 18-20" and includes a few branches and ledges.)

That being said! Yes, larger enclosures are tougher to maintain. My best advice here is to look into PVC enclosures or large tubs instead of a screen-top tank. That screen is going to make your life hell, I promise! You'll constantly be fighting with your temperatures and humidity. And to your last question, yeah you should get a hygrometer. You can get decent digital ones for $10-15. It's better to know for sure than to guess and have to troubleshoot problems down the road.