Biggest Reptile in the World: 5 Giant Reptiles That Will Blow Your Mind!
by Gary Rolfe on in Animals Lizards Tortoises Turtles & Terrapins
Some of the largest animals to have ever lived were reptiles. Although the age of the dinosaurs, plesiosaurs, and pterosaurs has gone, there are still some pretty big reptiles today.
Listed below are five of the biggest reptiles in the world from some of the most well-known taxonomical groups of reptiles.
1. The Largest Snake: Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus)
Whilst the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus) at 6.5 metres may be longer than the green anaconda (around 5 metres) the sheer weight of the anaconda makes it the largest snake in the world. The largest green anaconda on record was a female measuring 5.21 m long and weighing 97.5 kg!
Because of the remote location of their South American habitat and their semi-aquatic lifestyle, it’s quite difficult to survey green anacondas. It’s believed that there may be even larger specimens out there!
Key Facts:
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Scientific Name: Eunectes murinus
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Length: Up to 5.21 metres
- Weight: Typically 30–80 kg
2. The Largest Lizard: Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis)
Only found on a few Indonesian islands, the Komodo Dragon is a huge lizard from the monitor lizard family (Varanidae). Potentially reaching 90kg in weight and 2.5 metres in length, the Komodo dragon is a true giant.
These carnivorous lizards often eat carrion that they find but do have the ability to ambush and kill large prey such as wild pigs.
Key Facts:
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Scientific Name: Varanus komodoensis
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Length: Up to 3 metres
- Weight: Up to 150 kg
3. The Largest Tortoise: Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis nigra)
The Galápagos tortoise is the largest living species of tortoise. Mature males of larger subspecies can weigh between 272 and 317 kg, with the largest recorded individuals reaching weights over 400 kg and lengths of up to 1.87 metres.
They really are giants and are native to the Galápagos Islands. They're known for their impressive size and longevity.
Key Facts:
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Scientific Name: Chelonoidis nigra
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Length: Up to 1.87 metres
- Weight: Over 400 kg
4. The Largest Turtle: Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
The vast majority of the leatherback turtle’s life is spent in the ocean. As water lessens the pressure of gravity on an animal's body, it has allowed the leatherback turtle to grow huge!
The leatherback sea turtle can grow to over 2 metres long and weigh as much as 700kg making them one of the largest reptiles on the planet!
Key Facts:
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Scientific Name: Dermochelys coriacea
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Length: Up to 2.2 metres
- Weight: Up to 700 kg
5. The Largest Crocodilian: Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
We’ve saved the biggest until last. The saltwater crocodile is the biggest reptile in the world!
These predatory, semi-aquatic reptiles are truly massive, with the potential for adult saltwater crocodiles to weigh 1000kg and be 6 metres long.
These apex predators are found in Southeast Asia, Australia, and surrounding regions and are known for their powerful ambush hunting techniques.
Key Facts:
- Scientific Name: Crocodylus porosus
- Length: Up to 6 metres
- Weight: 1,000–1,500 kg
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