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[crocdoc]

I don't keep any tristis personally, but we have a pair at work (I work in a zoological institution). They are beautiful little monitors. They started off a bit on the shy side, but now parade in front of the glass no matter how many visitors are there. Part of the reason for this is that they have a huge enclosure (shared with two other species of lizards from a similar area) and can bolt to safe spots when they need to. They aren't handled unless absolutely necessary, so they don't fear the keepers (although they do keep their distance).
They're definitely not the sort of thing that's going to rip anything off, never mind a hand. I don't know what they'd be like in terms of interaction, but they're on the small and fast side for finding out anyway. Great monitors to watch, though. Full of character.