I don't think a mangrove would be the best first monitor since it does get a bit longer. A timor or ackie would be a bit better, and if you look through previous threads you can find good info on them. If he wants to hold it occasionally I would go with a ackie. Timors on the other hand are a bit secretive, and don't expect to see them that much in the cage. Now caging will still have to be around 3 x 2 feet for one adult of either monitor. Now you also mentioned tegus which my experience with them is limited to 3 that I had back when I was younger. All of which made very good pets, but they do need good size caging due to the size they reach. All of mine were black and whites. Keep us posted and please do plenty of research before buying any.
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