Mangroves are a bad choice for a first timer!!! An Ackie or Sav are the best choices for first timers. Just because your friends is nice does not mean the one you buy will be! for instance I have several crested geckos, some will literally jump on your hand to be handled, while others will never let you touch them; even if the geckos have been given the same amount of attention. With reptiles each animal is an individual and one might be nice while the next one is anything but.