In my experience, (which isn't extensive
) a mertens is a good larger monitor for someone not yet ready for lacies. Of course it would be ideal to start with something smaller, but if you are not willing to wait then I think mertens are ideal. The ones that I have kept and observed, seem reluctant to bite, unlike a lacie. Mine would go for the tail whip and hiss. Of course they still have that typical
Varanus crazy food response, however I think they are
more beginner friendly and you can have a lot of fun landscaping beautiful enclosures with pond space. I love being able to watch mine asleep underwater in plain site, or swim around. If you got a hatchling, you would have ample time to observe and learn about it's behaviour while it grew. They are easy to feed as they spend most of their time underwater and you can stock their pond with live prey like feeder fish, yabbies and prawns, as well as top up the food bowl while they are no where near your fingers
Not that many baby monitors would be wanting to come at your fingers.... My young spencers sure did though.
By the time they are a big bold adult charging out of the pond to snap the food up at lightning speed, you would hopefully be prepared! I don't handle my mertens though, I just enjoy watching them. I would certainly recommend a beginner taking a "look but don't touch" role with their monitors. Even the tiny ones can slice up your fingers in ways you never thought they could with such a little mouth.