Social Herps

Dumeril's boas are also a lot of fun to handle without having much of a sketchy feeling. My small dumeril's girl I have to be careful taking her out cause she's such a chow hound but once she realizes there's no food shes a sweetie. And my friend has a huge dumeril's girl that is very interactive but also not edgy when handling.

Ive been incorporating leopard geckos for a little while now and was surprised how interactive and social they can be. I like them because the care is super easy, they dont need lights, can stay in racks, if they bite it doesnt hurt at all,they stay small and come with stunning paint jobs.

If you're looking into something of the 'legged' variety, go for an Ackie monitor. I'm awful at interacting with things with legs, but the few times I've held Ackies I absolutely fell in love. They seem much more interactive than my legless children. With some socialization you're going to have an awesome pet. At least, that's what my first lizard is going to be. :)

I'm surprised that no one has said tortoises yet. They are very social and I've known people that had tortoises that would actually come when their name was called! I'll be getting a sulcata once I'm home from Afghanistan.

If size is an issue look into the dwarf boas. Central Americans. Tarahumara mountain boas, corn island boas, etc. then just get a male. 4-5 ft and there ya go.

My box turtles were very social. I had them in an outdoor enclosure and they would come from their hiding spots to beg for food if they heard/saw me out. I would love to have some again when I get a yard.

Our Hog Island is definitely different than the balls. Much more alert and attune to things going on. She is a lot of fun to have out and just appears more intelligent. She is about 5' now and very easy for me to get in and out of the cage and handle. She is definitely strong, but not overpoweringly so.

Our red blood is also a total sweetheart who is very different from the boa or balls. She appears to be more intelligent than the balls as well, but not as busy as the boa.

If you are coming up to Gainesville, you are welcome to stop by and handle my guys.

Without a doubt, one of these:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvoV2qZQtdo

Second choice would be a blue tongue skink.

BTS's are awesome pets! They have very clear individual personalities. I've kept leopard geckos, chameleons, bearded dragons, snakes, etc., and both my reptile-reluctant boyfriend and I favor our two skinks.

In terms of care, BTS's do require a varied diet, but you can pick most of it up at a grocery store alongside your own food shopping. I find it much easier than going on cricket runs all the time (no space to breed our own in our apartment). The other "emotionally intelligent" lizards tend to need a similar degree of maintenance anyway (like bearded dragons and tegus).

This is our little rescue, Barnaby.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/14/y3eve8av.jpg

And our Irian Jaya, Tiberius.
http://img.tapatalk.com/d/12/11/14/uge2ena7.jpg

My vote goes for a Red Ackie as well. They have the large lizard brains in a small package, super smart, incredibly calm, and no veggies.

my leopard geckos are very social. they are content to come out and be handled for long periods of time. they will sit on my desk and hang out while im playing online or watching tv. they are very curious and come out of their hide whenever you enter the room too. plus easy care. same for my crestie. shes small right now so shes a bit jumpy but shes chilling out fast and is pretty interactive. my box turtles also will come right to me when taken out and sit on my chest for hours watching tv.

+1 on the tortoise thing. ive seen sulcatas that learn their name and even learn to come when called just like gsarchie says.

another option is a big tame beardie. they are down for whatever.