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List of largest extant lizards

Currently there are about 40 extant families of Lacertilia. These vary considerably, e.g. in shades, colours, and sizes. For example, the largest representative among Geckos, the New Caledonian giant gecko (Rhacodactylus leachianus), has a length of up to 36 cm (14 in), while the largest species in the family Varanidae, Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), has a length up to 3 metres (10 ft), and a body mass of 70 kg (154 lbs).

Largest extant lizards

Here are the 15 largest extant lizards based on the most reliable measurements for size, including length and weight. These include family types Varanidae, Iguanidae and Teiidae exceeding 9 kg (20 lbs) in mass.

By families

Agamas (Agamidae)

American legless lizards (Anniellidae)

Glass lizards (Anguidae)

  • Many representatives of this family are legless lizards. Among these the largest species, and also the largest legless lizard in the world, is the sheltopusik (Pseudopus apodus), reaching a maximum length of more 135 cm (4.43 ft) and a mass in .
  • The eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) and slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) may reach lengths of up to and respectively.
  • However, this family also has lizards with legs, among which the largest is the Texas alligator lizard (Gerrhonotus infernalis) growing to from 45.7 cm (18 in) till 64 cm (25.2 in) in different sources.

Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae)

  • Of all chameleons, the largest is the Parson's chameleon (Calumma parsonii), reaching a length of 68 cm (27 in). But the longest species is the Malagasy giant chameleon (Furcifer oustaleti). It has a length of up to 68.5 cm (27 in).
  • Other large chameleons are the veiled chameleon (Chameleo calyptratus) and Meller's chameleon (Trioceros melleri), with lengths of up to 61 cm (24 in) Exceptionally large specimens of the latter have reputedly reached over 76 cm (30 in) and mass 600 g (1.3 lb), although this is unlikely.

Spinytail lizards (Cordylidae)

  • Many species in this family are small to medium-sized lizards that range in length from 6 to 30 cm (2.4 to 11.8 inches). There are large species in the genus Smaug, the largest of which is a giant girdled lizard (Smaug giganteus), with snout-vent length up to 20.5 cm (8.07 in) and total length up to roughly 40 cm (15.74 in).

Casquehead lizards (Corytophanidae)

  • Casquehead lizards are quite large lizards. In particular, the genus Basiliscus typically measures 70–75 cm (28–30 in). But the largest species in this group is the plumed basilisk (Basiliscus plumifrons), frequently growing to 91 cm (36 in).
  • Another large species in this group is the eastern casquehead iguana (Laemanctus longipes) reaching up to 70 cm (27.6 in) including its long, thin tail.

Collared lizards (Crotaphytidae)

  • In this family it is not known exactly which species is the largest, but according to current data the largest is the reticulated collared lizard (Crotaphytus reticulatus) with length up to 41 cm (16 in) and mass 78.77 g (2.8 oz).

Anoles (Dactyloidae)

Geckos (Gekkota)

Plated lizards (Gerrhosauridae)

  • The largest species in this family is the giant plated lizard (Matobosaurus validus), with a total length of up to 69 cm (27 in) or even 75 cm (29.5 in), with a snout-vent length (SVL) of 28 cm (11 in). Another large plated lizard is the Sudan plated lizard (Broadleysaurus major), with a length of about 51–60 cm (20–24 in).

Beaded lizards and Gila monster (Helodermatidae)

  • This family includes large and stocky lizards, including the infamous Gila monster (Heloderma suspectum), which reaches a total length up to 60 cm (23.6 in) with a snout-vent length (SVL) of 36 cm (14.1 in) and a body mass from to depending on the source. But despite the stocky and massive body of this lizard, it is not the largest representative of the family. Greatly exceeding it in size are the Mexican beaded lizard (Heloderma horridum) and Rio Fuerte beaded lizard (Heloderma exasperatum), with a total length of up to 91 cm (36 in), a SVL of up to 47 cm (18.5 in) and a mass from to depending on the source.

Iguanas (Iguanidae)

  • Iguanas are very large lizards, some of which can reach lengths of up to 2 m (6.6 ft) and mass more than . They are the largest lizards after some large species of monitor lizards, and the largest lizards in the New World. Iguanas vary considerably in size and form, but even the smallest lizards in this family are still quite large. For example, the desert iguana (Dipsosaurus dorsalis) can reach a length of up to 61 cm (24 in). The largest species of the genus Sauromalus is the San Esteban chuckwalla (Sauromalus varius), up to 76 cm (27 in) long and in weight, while the second-largest is the Angel Island chuckwalla (S. hispidus), up to 64 cm (25.2 in) long.
  • Many sources describe the green iguana (Iguana iguana) as the largest iguanid, often reaching lengths up to 1.5 metres (4.91 ft) and masses of , and with a maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a mass of and in some cases even . However, the heaviest species in this family is the blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi), with a total length of up to 1.5 m (4.91 ft), a SVL of 51–76 cm (30 in) and a mass of up to It is the eighth-heaviest and largest extant lizard.

True lizards (Lacertidae)

  • This family includes 300 diverse species. Among the largest is Gran Canaria giant lizard (Gallotia stehlini), reaching a length of , with a SVL of and a mass of almost . A subspecies in the same genus – El Hierro giant lizard (G. simonyi machadoi), perhaps also is one of the largest lacertids, and able reach a length of . A Tenerife lizard (G. galloti) have a total length in and a SVL of . Another large lizard in this genus are La Gomera giant lizard (G. brovoana), reaching a length of almost and a SVL in
  • Estimated to reach snout-vent length of and a mass of , La Palma giant lizard (Gallotia auaritae) is perhaps the largest living lacertid, outsizing even Gran Canaria giant lizard (G. stehlini). However, on the other hand, there is very little data to confirm this, and therefore the aforementioned Gran Canaria giant lizard is usually considered the largest representative of its family.
  • The longest member of this family is ocellated lizard (Timon lepidus), having a length of , with a SVL and a mass . A representative of the same genus, the Moroccan eyed lizard (T. tangitanus) can have a length of , and is one of the longest members of this family.
  • The European green lizard (Lacerta viridis), Iberian emerald lizard (L. schreiberi) and western green lizard (L. bilineata) can exceed a length and more, and with a SVL at least . The largest species in this group is Balkan green lizard (L. trilineata), reaching a length of , and a SVL of .

Earless monitor lizards (Lanthanotidae)

  • The only living species in this family – earless monitor lizard (Lanthanotus borneensis) typically has a snout-vent length (SVL) of about , and a total length of about . The longest recorded in the wild had length in . A specimen collected in the 1960s had a total length of , and near the time of its death an individual kept at the Bronx Zoo from 1968 to 1976 had a total length of and weighed , but it was highly obese.

Curly-tailed lizards (Leiocephalidae)

  • The largest curly tailed lizard is Leiocephalus carinatus. Adults may attain a snout to vent length (SVL) of , or a total length, including the tail, of . The dorsal scales are keeled and pointed. Leicoephalus carinatus resembles lizards of the genus Sceloporus, but with the tail usually curled upward, especially when the lizard is in a horizontal position on rocks or on the ground.

Leiosaurids (Leiosauridae)

Liolaemids (Liolaemidae)

Madagascan iguanas (Opluridae)

Legless lizards (Pygopodidae)

  • The largest legless lizard in this family is the common scaly-foot (Pygopus lepidopodus) with a length of , a SVL of with a weight of . It is also the largest legless lizard in Australia and biggest in the world overall, if not counting some members of the family Anguidae.
  • Another large member is Burton's legless lizard (Lialis burtonis) with a maximum length of 60 cm (23.6 in), according to some information even and a body length (snout-vent length) of .

Skinks (Scincidae)

Tegus and Teiids (Teiidae)

  • Many teiids are quite small lizards, although some members such as tegus are among the biggest lizards in the world after monitor lizards and iguanas. The largest species are Argentine black and white tegu (Salvator merianae) and red tegu (Salvator rufescens), which attain more than 1.2 m (3.9 ft) in length and in mass. Argentine black and white tegu is usually considered the largest species in its family with a length of 1.5 m (4.91 ft) and a mass of . Although, however, the red tegu, being more massive and bulky, can weigh more – the length is about , and the weight is .
  • Both species of genus Dracaena, the northern caiman lizard (Dracaena guianensis) and the Paraguay caiman lizard (Dracaena paraguayensis), can have a length of 1.2 m (3.9 ft) and a mass in .
  • The largest member of the genus Tupinambis is the gold tegu (Tupinambis teguixin) with a maximum SVL in . Other large teiids in this group are the cryptic golden tegu (Tupinambis cryptus) (maximum size: SVL with a tail), the Cusco tegu (Tupinambis cuzcoensis) (SVL of or larger) and the Maracaibo Basin tegu (Tupinambis zuliensis) (a SVL with a tail).

Monitor lizards (Varanidae)

Body size in monitor lizards shows greater variation than in any other family of animals with adult animals weighing between and 80,000 g (176.3 lb). The family includes both the largest living lizards and the largest lizards that have ever existed, yet about a third of the living species are dwarfs that seldom exceed in weight. Such massive size disparity between species makes the group ideal model animals to study the effects of gigantism on ecology and physiology, but at present little of their potential in this field has been explored. Although, species weighing around are often found. This family includes the Komodo dragon, which is the largest of all extant lizards, with a length of 3 meters (10 ft) and approximate weight of . Some of the largest representatives of the Varanidae such as the Komodo dragon, crocodile monitor, perentie and lace monitor can count as apex predators. In the list of the largest lizards, monitors occupy the first seven places.

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
  • The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the largest living lizard in the world, with an average weight of and for males and females respectively. The largest males from Komodo, may reach more 80 kg (176.3 lb). The largest specimen of Komodo dragon, a large male from Loh Liang National Park with length of , a SVL of and a mass in 81.5 kg (178.5 lb). As stated above, females are generally much smaller than males. The largest female weighed about . The heaviest specimen in the wild weighed about . The study noted that weights greater than were possible but only after the animal had consumed a large meal. The largest accurately measured individual according to Gerard Wood for Guinness World Records was a specimen put on display at the Saint Louis Zoological Park, Missouri in 1937. This individual reportedly measured 3.13 m (10.27 ft) and weighed , although a large portion of this was likely undigested food. Because Komodo dragons can eat up to 60% their own body weight, this weight record is considered invalid. Excluding this specimen, the Komodo dragon's maximum size is surpassed by large snakes like the green anaconda (up to in the wild) and the reticulated python (up to in captivity), but considering that these exceptionally large specimens are reported at a much lower frequency, it is still arguable that the Komodo dragon is the largest extant squamate on Earth.
Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator)
  • The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is the second-biggest lizard in the world after the Komodo dragon, and also the longest lizard in the world. The largest specimens come from Malaysia, particularly around the Cameron Highlands, where specimens over 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in total length are sometimes encountered. Jasmi (1988) records that wild specimens can weigh up to . The largest member this species from Sri-Lanka and attained in length of about . Thailand is also home to some huge water monitors, but elsewhere the water monitor grows to smaller sizes. The biggest found in Java are around in total length, 2 m (6.6 ft) in Sri Lanka, in Sumatra and mainland India and less than 1.5 m (4.91 ft) on the island of Flores. Unverified weights of 50, 70 and even 90 kg (110, 150 and even 198 pounds) have been reported in escaped pets in Florida but such enormous weights remain unverified. The 80 males slaughtered for the skin trade in Sumatra had an average weight of only , with a snout-vent length of and a total length of ; while 42 females had an average weight of , with a nose-to-cloaca length of and a total length of . Among these monitor lizards, some specimens weighed from . Another study in Sumatra by the same authors also estimates the weight of some specimens at while the average adult weight in the population is estimated to be about .
Crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii)
  • The crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii) sometimes is regarded as the longest lizard in the world. The longest verified individual, a specimen at Museum Koenig, is long. Some have been claimed to be much larger, including three individuals that reportedly were , and long, but these sizes are unverified. The tail of the crocodile monitor is proportionally very long, typically 2–2.7 times the snout-to-vent length. A weight of up to usually is reported, but in this slender and long-tailed arboreal species healthy adults (for example, discounting obese captives) typically weigh . Some sources suggest a mass up to , although this is highly questionable.
Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus)
  • The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is the largest lizard native to Africa alive today and fourth or fifth-largest lizard in the world after the Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, crocodile monitor and competes with perentie. In most cases, males of Nile monitors reach a total length of 150–170 cm (4.9-5.5 ft) and weigh in the region of , while females are about long and weigh about . Exceptionally large wild specimens of the Nile monitors can probably reach about 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) in length and weigh about , making them one of the largest lizards in the world. In 1929, a photograph of a Nile monitor from South Africa was published, which was said to have reached a total length of and weighed almost . The same author also reports that he shot another monitor lizard approximately 2.5 m (8.2 ft) long. The largest animal this species reliably known to date reached a total length of with a length from the muzzle to cloaca length and estimated at According to Faust (2001), the largest representative of this species measured 2.43 m (7.97 ft). A specimen with a length of (length from tip of muzzle to cloaca is ) was recorded from Orange Province in South Africa. Near Lake Chad, the maximum recorded size for a male is and for a female is . The largest female Nile monitor for which there is reliable data reached . Thus, it seems likely that in South Africa some specimens can reach lengths of 200 cm (6.6 ft) or more, but they are very rare.
Perentie (Varanus giganteus)
  • The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is by average length and weight the largest extant lizard native to Australia and fifth or fourth-biggest lizard in the world after Komodo dragon, Asian water monitor, crocodile monitor and competes with the Nile monitor. It is endemic to arid central Australia, found west of the Great Dividing Range. The largest individual recorded by (Stokes, 1846) measuring 2438 mm (8 ft) in total length. However, based on the vagueness of this account, some authors claim Stokes' reported measurement of 2438 mm (8 ft) is exaggerated and a more likely maximum length may instead be (Stirling, 1912). There have been larger individuals supposedly measuring more than 2.5 m (8.2 ft) in total length and in mass reported but such claims remain unverified. The maximum size of the perentie is probably not as great as many authors claim King & Green (1993) provide a useful discussion of size in this species. The longest found on Barrow Island by King et al. (1989) had a total length of with a SVL in and the heaviest weighed . Butler (1970) record s a specimen of with a total length of from the same island. Stokes (1846) records that two specimens collected on Barrow Island in 1840 had total lengths of . Strimple (1988) suggested that one of these animals was the type specimen used by Gray, which has a total length of only . Many perenties do not grow to such an enormous size, and the specimens on Barrow Island may grow larger than the main population. The limited data available suggests that females reach a smaller maximum size than males, rarely exceeding TL. Bredl (1987) records males of TL, and a female of TL. It appears that perenties approaching 2 m (6.6 ft) in length are the exception rather than the rule, and that in general few specimens grow larger than 1.5 m (4.91 ft). If specimens of 2.4 m (7.9 ft) or more have ever existed, none seem to have survived to the present.
Black-throated monitor (Varanus albigularis microstictus)
  • The black-throated monitor (Varanus albigularis microstictus) is a subspecies of rock monitor (Varanus albigularis) and, perhaps, the heaviest lizard in Africa. Although, little information is available on the size of this species of monitor lizards. According to many information black-throated monitor attains 2.1 m (6.89 ft) in length and 27 kg (60 lb) in mass. However, unknown whether this mass is reached in captivity or in the wild. By another – black-throated monitor has a mass of . However, specimens for this species rock monitor was recorded.
Lace monitor (Varanus varius)
  • The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is the second-largest lizard in Australia after the perentie and seven-largest lizard in the world overall. The largest instances may reach a length of 2 m (6.6 ft) with a SVL of and a mass of . In 1986 Gerard Krefft suggested that lace monitors grow as large as . None of this size exist now and specimens of 2 m (6.6 ft) TL are exceptional. A lizard from Mallacoota, Victoria measured SVL, TL and weighed . Another from Healesville was long and weighed almost . It was found to have eaten four foxcubs, three young rabbits and three large blue-tongued skinks, and all this was taken into account when weighing, is unknown. And, accordingly, the most commonly used maximum size for this species is a length of and a weight of for the previously mentioned specimen. In contrast, a large male in the spring measured 1.5 m (4.91 ft) TL and weighed . Males grow larger than females and probably have larger home ranges.

In the genus Varanus has more 80 species of lizards and all of to 11 subgenera, members which vary considerably in sizes:

Subgenus Empagusia

  • The largest representative of the subgenus Empagusia is Bengal monitor (Varanus bengalensis) with a length in and a SVL of , a mass of , and in captivity even more – . However, typical measurements are much less – 1.5 m (4.91 ft) in a length and in a mass. Even so, by some reports it grows much larger.
  • Another large species of this group are the clouded monitor (Varanus nebulosus) with a length of 1.5 m (4.91 ft) and a SVL of , the roughneck monitor (V. rudicollis), which has a total length of , a SVL of with a mass of , the Dumeril's monitor (V. dumerilii) (maximum size is about TL. A breeding pair maintained in captivity measured TL, (male) and , (female). Wild animals of SVL weigh about ) and the yellow monitor (V. flavescens) with a maximum length of , a SVL of and a mass of .

Subgenus Euprepiosaurus

Subgenus Hapturosaurus

Subgenus Odatria

  • Whilst this subgenus has many species, they are the smallest monitor lizards. It includes Dampier Peninsula monitor (Varanus sparnus) – the smallest monitor with a length of , a SVL of and a mass of .
  • The largest species in this subgenus is the black-palmed rock monitor (Varanus glebopalma), reaching the maximum size of and for SVL and total length respectively (an average mass constitute with a SVL of , for the max.size much higher). Another big member of this group is Mitchell's water monitor (Varanus mitchelli), which may grow to a length in with a SVL of .

Subgenus Papusaurus

Subgenus Philippinosaurus

Subgenus Polydaedalus

Subgenus Psammosaurus

  • The subgenus Psammosaurus includes large and medium-sized monitor lizards, growing to a length not less than . The largest member of this little group and also the largest lizard in Central Asia is the desert monitor (Varanus griseus), specifically Caspian monitor (Varanus griseus caspius) with a max.total length of , a SVL of and a mass of and a SVL of with a mass in for longest and heaviest males and females respectively. The Nesterov's desert monitor (V. nesterovi) is also quite large, attaining in length and in SVL.

Subgenus Solomonosaurus

Subgenus Soterosaurus

Subgenus Varanus

  • The largest members of this group are the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis), perentie (V. giganteus) and lace monitor (V. varius) (see higher).
  • After them is the yellow-spotted monitor or Argus monitor (Varanus panoptes), which also is the third biggest lizard in Australia, with a maximum length of (SVL of ) and mass of , although in captivity huge individuals can weigh about and even more.
  • A close relative of the aforementioned species is Gould's monitor (Varanus gouldii), also attains large sizes — exclusively large specimens measuring length of (SVL of ) with a mass of . The Rosenberg's monitor (V. rosenbergi) grows long, probably with a SVL of .
  • Though not as long as some other species of large varanids, the Spencer's monitor (Varanus spenceri) can have a high weight for its length due to its massive and bulky body, and has a length of (SVL of ) and mass from till depending on sources.
  • The smallest representative of this genus is the Mertens' water monitor (Varanus mertensi) with a length of (SVL of ). Though not as bulky as some other species of monitor lizards, in captivity it can weigh up to .

Night lizards (Xantusidae)

  • The largest night lizard is the yellow-spotted tropical night lizard (Lepidophylum flavimaculatum) which attains a snout-to-vent length (SVL) of with a tail 1/3 times exceeding the body length.

Knob-scaled lizards (Xenosauridae)

See also

References

Sources