10 Largest Reptiles in the World

Dinosaurs are the largest reptiles to have ever existed. Although they’re not direct descendants, today’s giant reptiles share a distant common ancestor with dinosaurs. Currently, crocodiles are the largest reptiles on Earth; however, a variety of other reptiles grow to impressive sizes. Reptiles, animals of the class Reptilia, include turtles, crocodilians, lizards, and snakes. Reptiles are found in various environments on every continent, excluding Antarctica. Continue reading to learn about the 10 largest reptile species in the world.

10. Green Anaconda 

The green anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is the largest, heaviest, and second-longest snake in the world. Green anacondas measure 9.8 to 15 feet on average, with females being larger. They typically weigh 70 to 150 pounds, but the largest specimen ever recorded weighed 550 pounds. Native to tropical rainforests in South America, green anacondas have become invasive in some tropical areas of the world, like Florida.

Green anacondas are often kept as pets, but can be dangerous because of their large size and capability to constrict animals. The only snake that is longer than the green anaconda is the reticulated python (Malayopython reticulatus). 

9. Komodo Dragon

Lizards are among the most abundant and diverse groups of reptiles, and Komodo Dragons (Varanus komodoensis) are the largest of them all. Komodo Dragons measure 7.5 to 8.5 feet long and weigh 150 to 200 pounds. Males are larger, and the largest Komodo dragon ever recorded was 10.2 feet long and 365 pounds. 

Komodo dragons are monitor lizards that are effective hunters like the other species in their family. Their size, teeth, venom, and aggressive nature make them one of the most dangerous lizards in the world. One feature they share with other monitor lizards is the ability to breathe while running, which helps them catch their prey.

8. Green Sea Turtle

Green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) are one of the largest reptiles in the world and are also the second-largest turtle species. They measure 3 to 4 feet and weigh 300 to 350 pounds. The largest green sea turtle weighed 871 lbs and was 5 feet long, which is as large as some crocodiles.

Green sea turtles feed on aquatic plants near shores but will travel to land during the breeding season. Green sea turtles are capable of living up to 70 years and are endangered because of overhunting. Normally, green sea turtles are found near the shore in tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.

7. Gharial 

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a large species of crocodilian with a large, elongated snout. On average, they weigh 350 pounds and measure 8 to 20 feet long. Males are larger than females. This species lives in the freshwaters of Northern India. Their long snouts help them swim, and they have a mild tolerance for saltwater. Currently, gharials are found only in India and Nepal.

Fish make up the majority of a gharial’s diet, so much so that their other common name is the fish-eating crocodile. However, they are also known to prey on other aquatic life such as crustaceans and frogs. The IUCN has gharials listed as Critically Endangered. While hunting is no longer considered a threat to gharials, the use of gill nets, habitat loss, and pollution have culled much of the gharial population.

6. Galápagos Tortoise 

The Galápagos tortoise (Chelonoidis niger) is the largest living tortoise in the world and is endemic to the Galápagos Islands. Males are the larger sex and can weigh more than 500 pounds. The largest recorded specimen weighed 919 pounds and measured over 6 feet long. Female Galápagos tortoises are smaller but are still on average around 250 pounds. 

Habitat loss and poaching have caused Galápagos tortoises to become endangered and rare. Approximately 15,000 are alive today, and conservation efforts such as breeding in captivity are underway. 

5. American Alligator

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) are the largest reptiles in North America. They resemble other crocodilians and measure up to 12 feet long. Males are larger and can weigh over 500 lbs. 

American alligators live in wetlands, marshes, rivers, lakes, and everglade-type habitats. They live in freshwater and can endure water with higher salt levels for short periods. American alligators have sharp teeth, and attacks from them have been deadly. 

4. Orinoco Crocodiles

Orinoco crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius) are a large freshwater species of crocodile. Males measure approximately 16 feet and weigh around 800 pounds, while females weigh around 500 pounds. This species is found in Colombia and Venezuela. It inhabits slow-moving freshwater habitats such as swamps and lagoons. They are named after the Orinoco Basin in South America, where they are often found. Hunted for their teeth, meat, and skin, Orinoco crocodiles are now Critically Endangered, with approximately 250 to 1500 left in the wild as of 2025. 

3. Leatherback Sea Turtle 

Leatherback sea turtles (Dermochelys coriacea) are the largest sea turtles in the world, weighing 500 to 1,500 pounds. They are found in the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic Oceans, and are capable of swimming in depths of 4,000 feet in the ocean. Leatherback sea turtles on average measure 6 to 7.2 feet, and there is no significant size difference between males and females.

The leatherback sea turtle’s large size allows it to survive in the ocean’s cold water. Leatherback turtles are also a migratory turtle species and travel over 10,000 miles a year. Populations have been in decline, and the IUCN lists the species as Vulnerable, poaching and habitat loss are the main factors.

2. Nile Crocodile 

The second-largest reptile in the world and also the second-largest crocodilian species is the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). This species lives throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and the Nile Basin. This giant is a dangerous predator that preys on fish, zebras, giraffes, and other animals that come near the water.

In 1905, the largest Nile crocodile ever recorded measured 21.2 feet long and weighed between 2,300 and 2,400 pounds. On average, Nile crocodiles measure 7.9 to 14 feet and weigh 500 to 1,700 lbs. As one of the largest reptiles in the world, they are also one of the most dangerous; it is estimated that they kill more than 100 people annually. 

1. Saltwater Crocodile

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest reptile in the world. On average, saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodilian species, but their sizes will vary. A crocodile’s size can vary due to sex, living conditions, species, and the types of food available to them. Males are larger, measuring 20 to 21 feet long and weighing approximately 1,000 pounds. The largest saltwater crocodile ever recorded was Lolong, who measured 20.3 feet long and weighed 2,370 pounds. 

Saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodiles, but other species can occasionally get close to the size of this monster. This species lives in Southeast Asia, Eastern India, and Northern Australia. They inhabit freshwaters and get their name from their ability to swim in and tolerate saline and brackish waters. Being the largest reptile in the world, they are also one of the world’s fiercest predators.