Going to buy a varanid

[beastruler]

I'm planning on buying a varanid. I may make a DIY container for it (a split glass cage with sliding glass doors in the split (the split is horizontal, makes travel easier) or just buy a container.
My main question here is....which species range from 5-8 feet? I'm fairly new to the world of herps but I'm extremely interested. I've done small amounts of research on lighting,temperature,humidity,diet,substrate,and handling but I don't know much on specific veranids.
I hear that v. jubiensis is a good starter, along with v. indicus, but I don't know. I'd like a fairly large lizard that will be tame, but not lazy.
From what I know variano is the expert so if he helps then...

 

[Near]

Nile monitor, maybe a crocodile, and snakes (not sure which ones)

 

[beastruler]

i'd like an active one, but not aggressive. I'd be too worried if it were agressive, and I want it to be a hands-on pet.
I know I'm asking for a lot her ebut...I really want one.

 

[beastruler]

Right now I'm thinking of starting with a bearded dragon (not relevant to the topic I know) and moving on to either a mangrove or a roughneck. I'm just getting into the herp world so please don't throw anything to difficult at me.

 

[infiltrator]

Hmmm,a varanid for beginer?
Hmmm, if i were you, i'd choose varanus salvatore...

 

[beastruler]

That's a lace monitor IIRC. Sounds good but mangrove is so tempting....I'll look into salvatore.
Right now I have to deal with smaller animals (3 feet and under) due to the size of available terrariums. We have a 77 gallon tank but it's 4 ft long by 1.4 feet wide by 2 feet deep. Not too great for larger reptiles.
I appreciate the help and understadning you're giving to this newby reptile lover

 

[beastruler]

yep I'm a newby >.< salvatore is a water monitor. I'll get the hang of this eventually
Need to do some more research.

 

[infiltrator]

Ehmmm, so what kind of varanid you're looking for??
Sry my Englisg isnt good, Im Indonesian ^^

 

[beastruler]

I'm looking for a terrestrial monitor mostly. I have a tank with demensions decent for a 3-3.5 reptile (decent, not ideal). I would like it to be tame, but active. No sleeping 24 hours and no bitting/clawing. I want something I can let walk around my home without worry.
All that said, I'm asking for way too much XD
Salvatore and Jubiensis both look exceptional but I need a larger tank first. My first priorety is to do the research on all specied with a maximum size of 6 feet and minimum size of 3 feet to get a feel for them. I can decide after that but you guys are experts, I'd love to have some expert opinions.

 

[Red tail catking]

Varanids are not really a beginner herp, no matter which species it is. I suggest you start off with a easier herp, like beardies or ball pythons. These will help you understand herps better and their care needs, and then you can work your way up to the more difficult herps.

Also if you want to know a good beginner varanid, I suggest the Ackies monitor, they are the smallest species, and they help ppl that are new to varanids understand them better. But this is still a lizard for experienced herp keepers... but thrust me you are way better off getting a Beardie.