The thread is a bit old, however still front page. I want to make some points to anyone thinking of obtaining a large lizard.

First- No large lizard is "cheap". Period. If you are housing the animal properly you will be spending a decent amount of cash on food, housing, electricity etc. If you want cheep get a beta fish.

Second- no big lizard is suitable for free roaming a house. PERIOD. Floors of a human house can damage claws/toes of the animal. Humidity can not be properly maintained in the house. No house is going to be kept warm enough 24/7 for the lizards health etc. You can not meet the housing requirements in a home free-roaming. Build a cage, you'll get farther.

Third- None of the big lizards should be kept by anyone without some knowledge of what they are doing. Sorry OP, if you failed at keeping a bearded dragon, you do NOT need to own a large lizard for a long time.

The information given here is laughable. Tegus need tremendous care, can be temperamental, and can handle cats the same way as monitors. Iguanas can be testy and require lots of care, and Savannah monitors are probably one of the worst suggestions for a first captive large lizard you could ever suggest.