Alligator Lizards...easy to keep, cheap to feed, and friendly if you handle them frequently. I have two and am getting two more on Saturday. They go crazy for crickets and are very active during the day. 5.5G would not be okay. 10Gallon minimum for 1-2. Heres a Northern Alligator Lizard breeder...
http://blazingdiamondalligators.myfastforum.org/index.html
and they have a forum for Northerns too I believe.
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Mom to...
2 Bearded Dragons ~ Axel & Miracle
2 Alligator Lizards ~ Aqua & Twitch
1 Leopard Gecko ~ Montana
1 Sulcata Tortoise ~ Bradley Sniffy
2 Dogs ~ Alaska and Georgia
1 Cat ~ Jenna
3 Salamanders ~ Goliath, Alpha, Limpy
Many fish!