Originally Posted by VaranidGuy

IME, most monitors can become interactive with their keeper, it just depends on how much effort you're willing to put in. Timors, for instance, tend to be extremely shy and reclusive, but with enough positive reinforcement (typically with food), even they can become rather accustomed to their owners and become inquisitive. It is the nature of all monitors.

Did you ever see that video where the intelligence of monitors was being researched? They used a savannah, which is touted by some to be the "dumbest" of the monitors. To be honest, you'd be hard pressed to find an "unintelligent" monitor rather than an "intelligent" one.

If you want something that stays a very manageable size, isn't extremely shy, but doesn't tend to be overly aggressive either, I second Otto in saying an ackie would be the hot ticket.