Get an iguana, and a python! We did
As far as personalities go you have some creative room I think. My mojave male is an absolute puppy dog, could be out with anybody and simply cruise along (he's not so good at sitting still). Ember, on the other hand, will tolerate handling fine, and sit while I'm reading/watching something/writing, but I'd call her aloof, never really relaxes. I could go on about the others but the more I think about it the more I feel like the crazy snake lady.
My boyfriend talks about his first BP Avalon and how she'd go freely from her tank and cruise around his room, then return when she was done. She would seek out his body heat sometimes. It's not something I practice, and some might object to it story or otherwise, but for creative writing purposes I thought it was worth mentioning