Something small to keep in outdoor enclosure in Arizona?

[rudukai13]

So I had an idea. I've been discussing with my brother about the possibility of getting some kind of animal for our apartment. Our apartment complex doesn't allow dogs and we're two single guys in college, so cats are out, which leads us to some kind of herp. He's understandably concerned about any smell that might come from any kind of live animal. For a while I couldn't think of a way around this issue, then it hit me - we have a large balcony that could easily hold a cage for something. So here's my question to everyone - What can you suggest that would thrive in the natural climate in Arizona, that wouldn't need a cage larger than say 40 or 50 gallons? No snakes, prefer something handleable. Thanks for your help!

EDIT: Also, doesn't have to be limited to reptiles. Really any small animal that would enjoy the Arizona weather would work.

 

[coura]

The problem to me would be not the animal itself but the space you have for it. In such a small outdoor enclosure it wouldnt be enough room for creating areas with a termal gradient. Also you want something you can handle and allmost all lizards that would fit the climate and easy to handle are on the medium size and to be kept outdoors would need something way larger. If you did say a 6 foot enclosure you could keep a inland bearded dragon or a eastern blue tongue skink or a australian water dragon for example.

 

[rudukai13]

I could probably talk my brother into a small modified bird aviary that would allow for enough space of something medium sized. I just wanted to avoid suggestions like monitor lizards or the like.