Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles that can be found on every continent except Antarctica.
They range in size from tiny geckos that can fit on your fingertip to massive monitors that can weigh over 100 kg.
Below, a list of the 15 largest living lizards in the world based on their maximum reliable or known mass and length.
These include family types Varanidae, Iguanidae and Teiidae exceeding 9 kg (20 lbs) in mass.
1. Komodo dragon
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the undisputed king of the lizards. It is the largest living lizard species, reaching up to 3.13 m (10.27 ft) in length and 166 kg (366 lb) in weight in captivity.
In the wild, the largest recorded specimen was 3.04 m (9.97 ft) long and weighed 81.5 kg (180 lb), excluding stomach contents. However, it is estimated that some individuals could weigh up to 100 kg (220 lb) including stomach contents.
Komodo dragons are native to a few islands in Indonesia, where they are the top predators. They have powerful jaws, sharp teeth, venomous saliva, and a keen sense of smell.
These monster lizards can hunt prey as large as deer, pigs, and even water buffalo. They are also known to scavenge on carcasses and occasionally cannibalize on smaller dragons.
2. Asian water monitor
The Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) is the second largest lizard in the world, and the largest in Asia. It can grow up to 3.21 m (10.53 ft) in length and 25 kg (55 lb) in weight. However, most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and 7 kg (15 lb).
Asian water monitors are widely distributed throughout South and Southeast Asia, where they inhabit various aquatic and terrestrial habitats. They are excellent swimmers and can stay underwater for up to 30 minutes.
They feed on fish, frogs, snakes, birds, eggs, rodents, and carrion. They are also known to raid poultry farms and crocodile nests.
3. Crocodile monitor
The crocodile monitor (Varanus salvadorii) is the third largest lizard in the world, and the largest in New Guinea. It can reach up to 2.55 m (8.37 ft) in length and 20 kg (44.1 lb) in weight.
However, these measurements are based on the longest verified specimen, and there are unverified reports of much larger individuals, possibly exceeding 4 m (13 ft) and 40 kg (88 lb).
Crocodile monitors are arboreal and spend most of their time in the rainforest canopy.
They have long tails that help them balance and maneuver among the branches. They have strong claws and teeth that can inflict serious wounds. They feed on birds, mammals, reptiles, and eggs. They are also known to scavenge on dead animals and human garbage.
4. Nile monitor
The Nile monitor (Varanus niloticus) is the fourth largest lizard in the world, and the largest in Africa. It can grow up to 2.43 m (8.0 ft) in length and 20 kg (44.1 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.2 m (3.9 ft) and 4 kg (8.8 lb).
Nile monitors are widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa, where they inhabit various freshwater and coastal habitats. They are adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of environmental conditions.
They are voracious and opportunistic feeders, consuming fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, crocodile eggs, birds, rodents, and carrion. They are also known to prey on domestic animals and raid chicken coops.
5. Perentie
The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is the fifth largest lizard in the world, and the largest in Australia. It can reach up to 2.44 m (8.0 ft) in length and 20 kg (44.1 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and 7 kg (15 lb).
Perenties are endemic to the arid regions of central and western Australia, where they inhabit rocky outcrops and open plains. They are fast and agile, capable of running at speeds of up to 40 km/h (25 mph). They have powerful jaws, sharp teeth, and venomous saliva.
They feed on a variety of prey, including lizards, snakes, birds, mammals, and eggs. They are also known to scavenge on roadkill and carrion.
6. Black-throated monitor
The black-throated monitor (Varanus albigularis microsticus) is the sixth largest lizard in the world, and the second largest in Africa. It can grow up to 2.1 m (6.89 ft) in length and 27 kg (60 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.3 m (4.3 ft) and 6 kg (13 lb).
Black-throated monitors are native to eastern and southern Africa, where they inhabit savannas, woodlands, and scrublands.
They are terrestrial and spend most of their time on the ground, but they can also climb trees and swim.
They have strong claws and teeth that can crush bones. They feed on a variety of prey, including insects, spiders, scorpions, snails, crabs, lizards, snakes, turtles, birds, eggs, and small mammals.
7. Lace monitor
The lace monitor (Varanus varius) is the seventh largest lizard in the world, and the second largest in Australia.
It can reach up to 2.0 m (6.55 ft) in length and 14 kg (30.87 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.3 m (4.3 ft) and 4 kg (8.8 lb).
Lace monitors are endemic to eastern Australia, where they inhabit forests, woodlands, and coastal areas.
They are arboreal and spend most of their time in the trees, but they also descend to the ground to forage and bask. They have long claws and teeth that can pierce skin.
They feed on a variety of prey, including insects, spiders, lizards, snakes, birds, eggs, and small mammals. They are also known to raid nests of termites and bees.
8. Blue iguana
The blue iguana (Cyclura lewisi) is the eighth largest lizard in the world, and the largest in the Caribbean. It can grow up to 1.5 m (4.91 ft) in length and 14 kg (30.87 lb) in weight.
However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.2 m (3.9 ft) and 5 kg (11 lb).
Blue iguanas are endemic to the island of Grand Cayman, where they inhabit dry forests and shrublands. They are terrestrial and spend most of their time on the ground, but they can also climb rocks and trees. They have strong jaws and teeth that can crush seeds and fruits.
They feed mainly on plants, but they also eat insects, spiders, snails, and fungi. They are critically endangered due to habitat loss, invasive species, and human persecution.
9. Galapagos land iguana
The Galapagos land iguana (Conolophus subcristatus) is the ninth largest lizard in the world, and the second largest in the Caribbean.
It can reach up to 1.5 m (4.91 ft) in length and 13 kg (28.66 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.0 m (3.3 ft) and 4 kg (8.8 lb).
Galapagos land iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands, where they inhabit arid and semi-arid zones. They are terrestrial and spend most of their time on the ground, but they can also climb cacti and rocks.
They have strong jaws and teeth that can shred leaves and stems. They feed mainly on plants, but they also eat insects, spiders, carrion, and bird droppings.
They are vulnerable due to habitat degradation, invasive species, and volcanic eruptions.
10. Marine iguana
The marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is the tenth largest lizard in the world, and the third largest in the Caribbean.
It can grow up to 1.4 m (4.59 ft) in length and 12 kg (26.46 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 0.8 m (2.6 ft) and 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Marine iguanas are endemic to the Galapagos Islands, where they inhabit rocky shores and intertidal zones. They are the only lizards that can swim and dive in the ocean. They have flattened tails and spiny crests that help them propel and steer underwater.
They have sharp teeth that can scrape algae and seaweed from rocks and coral. They feed mainly on marine plants, but they also eat insects, crustaceans, and fish.
These animals are threatened by climate change, oil spills, and introduced predators.
11. Rhinoceros iguana
The rhinoceros iguana (Cyclura cornuta) is the eleventh largest lizard in the world, and the fourth largest in the Caribbean. It can reach up to 1.36 m (4.46 ft) in length and 10 kg (22.05 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.0 m (3.3 ft) and 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Rhinoceros iguanas are native to Hispaniola, where they inhabit dry forests, scrublands, and rocky areas.
They are terrestrial and spend most of their time on the ground, but they can also climb trees and rocks. They have a prominent horn-like projection on their snout that gives them their name. They have strong jaws and teeth that can crush fruits and seeds.
They feed mainly on plants, but they also eat insects, spiders, snails, and carrion. They are endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and invasive species.
12. Green iguana
The green iguana (Iguana iguana) is the twelfth largest lizard in the world, and the fifth largest in the Caribbean.
It can grow up to 2.0 m (6.55 ft) in length and 9.1 kg (20 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.5 m (4.9 ft) and 4 kg (8.8 lb).
Green iguanas are widespread throughout Central and South America, and have been introduced to many other regions, where they are considered invasive. They inhabit various tropical and subtropical habitats, such as forests, swamps, and urban areas.
They are arboreal and spend most of their time in the trees, but they also descend to the ground to forage and bask. They have long tails that can whip predators and help them balance.
They have sharp teeth that can slice leaves and stems. They feed mainly on plants, but they also eat insects, spiders, eggs, and carrion.
13. Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor
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The northern Sierra Madre forest monitor (Varanus bitatawa) is the thirteenth largest lizard in the world, and the fourth largest in Asia. It can reach up to 1.8 m (5.84 ft) in length and 9 kg (19.84 lb) in weight. However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.2 m (3.9 ft) and 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Northern Sierra Madre forest monitors are endemic to the island of Luzon in the Philippines, where they inhabit lowland and montane rainforests.
These reptiles are arboreal and spend most of their time in the canopy, but they also forage on the ground. They have long tails that help them grip branches and vines.
They have sharp teeth that can pierce shells and exoskeletons. They feed mainly on fruits, but they also eat snails, crabs, insects, and small vertebrates. They are vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting.
14. Red tegu
The red tegu (Salvator rufescens) is the fourteenth largest lizard in the world, and the largest in South America. It can grow up to 1.4 m (4.59 ft) in length and 9 kg (19.84 lb) in weight.
However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 0.9 m (3.0 ft) and 2 kg (4.4 lb).
Red tegus are native to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil, where they inhabit savannas, grasslands, and woodlands. They are terrestrial and spend most of their time on the ground, but they can also climb trees and swim.
They have strong claws and teeth that can dig and tear. They feed on a variety of prey, including insects, spiders, worms, snails, eggs, birds, rodents, and reptiles. They are also known to scavenge on carrion and human garbage.
15. Gray’s monitor
The gray’s monitor (Varanus olivaceus) is the fifteenth largest lizard in the world, and the fifth largest in Asia. It can reach up to 1.88 m (6.16 ft) in length and 8.9 kg (19.62 lb) in weight.
However, these are the maximum values, and most specimens are much smaller, averaging around 1.4 m (4.6 ft) and 3 kg (6.6 lb).
Gray’s monitors are endemic to the islands of Luzon, Polillo, and Catanduanes in the Philippines, where they inhabit lowland and montane rainforests.
They are arboreal and spend most of their time in the canopy, but they also forage on the ground. They have long tails that help them grip branches and vines. They have sharp teeth that can pierce shells and exoskeletons.
They feed mainly on fruits, but they also eat snails, crabs, insects, and small vertebrates. They are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
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