Agamas (Agamidae) is usually regarded as the largest representative of family
Agamidae, reaching a length of 1.2 m (3.9 ft). • The largest representatives in this group are species in the genus
Hydrosaurus, which often exceed 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length. •
Weber's sailfin lizard (
Hydrosaurus weberi),
Philippine sailfin lizard (
Hydrosaurus pustulatus) and
Amboina sailfin lizard (
Hydrosaurus amboinensis) (previously counts the largest species in this group) have a length of 1 m (3.3 ft). • The
frilled lizard (
Chlamydosaurus kingii) has length up to 85 cm (2.79 ft) and mass up to 870 g (1.92 lb), probably even 900 g (2 lb) •
Uromastyx aegyptia is one of heaviest representatives among agamas, with length up to 76 cm (30 in) and mass 2 kg (4.4 lbs). • A
central bearded dragon (
Pogona vitticeps) and
eastern bearded dragon (
Pogona barbata) have a length of , and are the largest in their
genus. • 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) are quite large lizards, especially the
plumed basilisk • 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) is the largest anole, over half a meter in length • Large species in this group are usually crown giant
anolis ecomorphs The species generally considered the largest is the
knight anole (
Anolis equestris), which can reach up to 51 cm (20 in) in total length, 19 cm (7.5 in) in
snout-vent length and weigh 137 g (4.83 oz). • However, in the
equester species complex there are also species reaching the same length and even larger. These include
A. baracoae,
A. luteogularis,
A. noblei and
A. smallwoodi.
Geckos (Gekkota) is the largest gecko, weighing up to almost 300 g (10.5 oz) • Species of
geckos belong to different groups. For example, many species of geckos are in family
Gekkonidae, but there are very large species in the family
Diplodactylidae. For example, to them belongs the largest gecko species
New Caledonian giant gecko (
Rhacodactylus leachianus), which can be 36–43.18 cm (14–17 in) long and mass 212–279 g (7.5–9.8 oz) • Other representatives of the same genus as the aforementioned gecko can also reach huge sizes. These include
gargoyle gecko (
Rhacodactylus auriculatus),
greater rough-snouted giant gecko (
R. trachyrhynchus) and
lesser rough-snouted giant gecko (
R. trachycephalus). As well as former species in this genus:
crested gecko (
Correlophus ciliatus),
Sarasins' giant gecko (
C. sarasinorum) and
Bavay's giant gecko (
Mniarogekko chahoua). • An extant member of the genus
Hoplodactylus,
Duvaucel's gecko (
Hoplodactylus duvaucelii), in which be present a largest gecko ever lived (see
the largest extinct lizards) can also reach large sizes. It can reach total length 30 cm (12 in) with a snout-vent length (SVL) up to 16 cm (6.3 in), and weigh up to 120 grams (4.2 oz). • There are also large species in the family
Gekkonidae. These include
tokay gecko (
Gekko gekko),
Smith's green-eyed gecko (
G. smithii) and
Andaman giant gecko (
G. verreauxi), which can reach and even exceed 30 cm (12 in). • Another genus with large geckos is
Uroplatus. The largest representative in this genus is the
giant leaf-tail gecko (
Uroplatus giganteus), which can reach a snout–vent length of 20 cm and a total length of 32.2 cm. Another species that grows almost as large is the
common flat-tail gecko (
U. fimbriatus), which can exceed 30 cm (12 in) and more. • The genus
Phelsuma in
subfamily Uroplatinae also has large species.
Standing's day gecko (
Phelsuma standingi) is one of the largest
day geckos, reaching a length of about and
Round Island day gecko (
P. guentheri),
Madagascar giant day gecko (
P. grandis) and
P. madagascariensis can reach even more impressive lengths of 30 cm (12 in) or more. • Outside of the families
Diplodactylidae and
Gekkonidae, there are large geckoes among the
Eublepharidae. The
African fat-tailed gecko (
Hemitheconyx caudicinctus) reaches a length of up to 23 cm (9.1 in), and a mass of . The
leopard gecko (
Euplepharis macularis) reaches even large sizes – up to 28 cm (11 in) long with a mass of 60–80 g (2.1–2.84 oz). • The largest species of
family Phyllodactylidae, the
giant wall gecko (
Tarentola gigas), reaches in length and in
SVL.
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). a SVL of up to 47 cm (18.5 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. and with a maximum length of 2 m (6.6 ft) and a mass of and in some cases even . is a very massive lizard weighing more than and is one of the largest extant
lizards • Other large species in this family include the
Galapagos land iguana (
Conolophus subcristataus), with a length of about 1.5 m (4.91 ft) and a mass of up to . • The
marine iguana (
Amblyrhynchus cristatus) is the tenth-largest extant lizard in the world, and a mass of from depending on islands. • Aforementioned
genus Cyclura includes other very large iguanas, such as
Anegada rock iguana (
Cyclura pinguis) reaching a
snout-vent length (SVL) of and a mass . A second largest species in this genus and second longest iguanid overall, and also one of the largest
lizards in the
Caribbean, the
Cuban iguana (
C. nubila) reaching a length in with a SVL in . SVL of , mass of • A member of the genus
Iguana,
lesser Antillean iguana (
Iguana delicatissima) can reach SVL , and mass . • The
black iguana (
Ctenosaura similis) and
western spiny-tailed iguana (
C. pectinata) are the largest species in the genus
Ctenosaura, reaching a length in . The longest is
Mexican spiny-tailed iguana (
C. acanthura) with a length of .
True lizards (Lacertidae) is the largest member of a family
Lacertidae, exceeding a length of • 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) •
Enyalius catenatus can have a body mass of up to .
Liolaemids (Liolaemidae) • Members of the genus
Liolaemus are vary considerably in size (45–100 millimetres or 1.8–3.9 inches snout–vent length) and weight (3–200 grams or 0.1–7.1 ounces). The largest species are
L. chlorostictus (85 mm max. SVL),
L. dorbignyi (98.3 mm max. SVL),
L. duellmani (83 mm max. SVL),
L. forsteri (93 mm max. SVL),
L. foxi (82.9 mm max. SVL),
L. huayra (94.3 mm max. SVL),
L. inti (90.4 mm max. SVL),
L. jamesi (97.5 mm max. SVL),
L. melanogaster (91 mm max. SVL),
L. nigriceps (88.8 mm max. SVL),
L. orientalis (99.2 mm max. SVL),
L. patriciaiturrae (96.5 mm max. SVL),
L. puritamensis (90.8 mm max. SVL),
L. robertoi (84 mm max. SVL),
L. scrocchii (95 mm max. SVL) and
L. stolzmanni (92 mm max. SVL). The species
L. fabiani,
L. filiorum,
L. pachecoi,
L. pleopholis,
L. polystictus,
L. robustus,
L. thomasi,
L. vallecurensis,
L. vulcanus, and
L. williamsi,
L. austromendocinus,
L. elongatus,
L. gununakuna,
L. petrophilus, and
L. thermarum also may reach large sizes (around 10 cm)
Madagascan iguanas (Opluridae) • The biggest species of
Madagascan iguana is
Madagascar spotted spiny-tailed iguana (
Oplurus quadrimaculatus), it can reach a length of .
Legless lizards (Pygopodidae) • The largest
legless lizard in this family is the
common scaly-foot (
Pygopus lepidopodus) with a length 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) – largest
skink reaching the length of • In this family of about 1500 species, many
skinks have a
snout-vent length (SVL) of . The largest member of this family, the
Solomon Islands skink (
Corucia zebrata), can grow to a length of , a SVL of 35 cm (13.8 in) and a mass of . The heaviest is the
common blue-tongued skink (
Tiliqua scincoides), reaching a length of , and a mass of . • The
genus Tiliqua also has large species of skinks. One of them is the subspecies
Indonesian blue-tongued skink (
Tiliqua gigas) –
Merauke blue-tongued skink (
T. gigas evanescens) growing a length of , thus not only being the longest species in the genus
Tiliqua, but also the second by length in family
Scincidae after
Solomon Islands skink. Large sizes may also be reached by
blotched blue-tongued lizard (
T. nigrolutea) with a length of , according to some information even ,
Centralian blue-tongued skink (
T. multifasciata) exceeding in length of
western blue-tongued lizard (
T. occipitalis) with a length of and a SVL of ,
shingleback lizard (
T. rugosa) with a total length of , a SVL of and a mass of and an
Irian Jaya blue tongue skink (
Tiliqua sp.) with total length of . • Previously in the
genus Tiliqua is the
pink-tongued skink (
Cyclodomorphus gerrardii), with a length of and a SVL of . • The
land mullet (
Bellatorias major) is one of the largest
skinks and can reach a SVL of with a total length of . A representative of the same genus – the
major skink (
B. frerei) also grows to large sizes – a total length of with a SVL of • The
King's skink (
Egernia kingii) is one of the longest
skinks and can exceed a length of and weighing . Other large skinks are
Cunningham's spiny-tailed skink (
E. cunninghami) and
yakka skink (
E. rugosa), both of which reach a length of . • A representative of the genus
Eumeces is
Schneider's skink (
Eumeces schneiderii) has a length of with a SVL in . Previously in the aforementioned
genus –
Kishinoue's giant skink (
Plestiodon kishinouyei) is the largest species in its genus and may grows a length of with a SVL of . Other large members in the genus
Plestiodon are a
broad-headed skink (
P. laticeps) and a
Great Plains skink (
P. obsoletus) with a maximum length of 32.4 cm (12.8 in) and and a SVL respectively. • The genus
Chalcides includes many
legless or almost legless skinks. The largest among these are the
Italian three-toed skink (
Chalcides chalcides) and the
western three-toed skink (
C. striatus) which have a length of and respectively. In the genus
Acontias also are limbless skinks many of which are quite small
lizards, but the largest among these is
giant legless skink (
Acontias plumbeus) at approximately reaching 40 cm (16 in) in length. • The
fire skink (
Mochlus fernandi) is the largest member in its genus and also one of the largest African
skinks, growing to a length of and a SVL of •
Telfair's skink (
Leiolopisma telfairii), the largest living skink in Mauritius, attains a size over in SVL and may grows in length with a maximum length of and a mass in . Its extinct relative is
Mauritian giant skink (
L. mauritiana), which in twice excelled to length of its contemporary (see
the largest extinct lizards) and was the biggest known skink of all time. • The
terror skink (
Phoboscincus bocourti) is an
endangered skink and may reach in length and in SVL thus not only being one of the largest extant skinks, but the second biggest reptile on its island after
monitor lizards, and so is an
apex predator in its territory. • 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 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 . 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 .) 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) is the second-largest lizard with a length of more than and a weight of • 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 . 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. 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) sometimes is considered the longest lizard in the world • The
crocodile monitor (
Varanus salvadorii) sometimes is regarded as the longest lizard in the world. 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 . although this is highly questionable. 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. The same author also reports that he shot another monitor lizard approximately 2.5 m (8.2 ft) long. According to Faust (2001), the largest representative of this species measured 2.43 m (7.97 ft). 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. 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 second-largest
lizard native to
Australia and seven-largest lizard in the world • The
lace monitor (
Varanus varius) is the second-largest lizard in
Australia after the
perentie and seven-largest lizard in the world overall. 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 ==== Subgenus
Euprepiosaurus ==== • The largest members of this
subgenus are the
mangrove monitor (
Varanus indicus) and its close relatives with a total length of 1.5 m (4.91 ft) (The largest
Mariana monitors (
V. tsukamotoi) found on
Guam were for
male and for
female in SVL with wrights of and in weight respectively), the
peach-throated monitor (
V. jobiensis) (a total length of and a SVL of ), the
Mussau Island blue-tailed monitor (
V. semotus) (a total length of and a SVL of ) the
black tree monitor (
V. beccarii) with a maximum size of SVL, total length and the
Bogert's monitor (
V. bogerti) measuring a length of with a SVL of . with a SVL of . The
Northern Sierra Madre forest monitor (
Varanus bitatawa) with a maximum size instead be in length and in mass, the
Gray's monitor (
V. olivaceus), the biggest individual of which was just long and a mass of and the
Panay monitor (
V. mabitang) with the largest
specimen which had a length of and a mass in , are among of the biggest
lizards in the world. They measure , and SVL respectively. and an average size of in length and for
females and for
males in mass by some sources. But, however, according to others even mass in is a very rarely. and ( SVL) ==== Subgenus
Psammosaurus ==== is a largest
lizard in
Central Asia, with a maximum reliable length of and a mass of almost • The
subgenus Psammosaurus includes large and medium-sized monitor lizards, growing to a length not less than . The
Nesterov's desert monitor (
V. nesterovi) is also quite large, attaining in length and in SVL. By the data
marbled water monitor can weigh about , • 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 . till
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) === • The largest
xenosaurid is a
knob-scaled lizard (
Xenosaurus grandis) with a snout-vent length of and a total length of . ==See also==