whats a good starting moniter

[Skiploder]

I didn't say monitor. I said reptile. I will never get a monitor based on their needs and my time. So again, any other reptiles fit the bill?

None that I have any experience with.

If the rodent thing is negotiable, I've always enjoyed keeping uromastyx. While they are not "easy" to keep, they are much, much easier than varanids.

If we are talking ANY reptiles, there are many smaller species of colubrids that are much more interactive than ball pythons. Rhamphiophis, many of the smaller pituophis, etc.

If you have a little bit more room, any of the drymarchon are as close as you can get to a monitor lizard in a snake. Relatviely intelligent, reactive to their owners.......................