Thanks for the advice.

I am having a lot of trouble finding anything between the size of an ackie and an ionides besides a Savannah. If you could rattle off a quick list for me that'd be great. I do really like the bulk of the Savannah and Ionides and I like the shape of their heads (I see this as being no more silly than liking a kind of morphed snake). I would consider something arboreal but in that case cost is a concern, I haven't seen an arboreal monitor for less than $600. Which I guess is not that bad but at that point my girlfriend and family are going to realize the insanity and OCD of my animal keeping hobby and have me committed.

I also like Blue Tegus but then you're back to the whole digging thing. I'd at least like to provide some space where my monitor/tegu can dig a nice burrow for itself if it so desires.

I am pretty handy, I can build any enclosure you can dream up.