science

List of largest extant lizards

List of largest extant lizards is a science topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand List of largest extant lizards rather than just read about it. In short: Currently there are about 40 extant families of Lacertilia. These vary considerably, e.g. in shades, colours, and sizes.

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Reference excerpt

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)

The largest representatives in this group are species in the genus Hydrosaurus, which often exceed 1 metre (3.3 ft) in length. The largest species – Makassar sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus microlophus) and Sulawesi black sailfin lizard (Hydrosaurus celebensis) grow to a length of 1.2 (3.9 ft) and 1.13 m (3.7 ft) respectively. 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 Australian water dragon (Intellagama lesueurii) and Chinese water dragon (Physignathus cocincinus) can also exceed this length. 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 60 cm (24 in), and are the largest in their genus.

American legless lizards (Anniellidae)

The largest American legless lizard is the Californian legless lizard (Anniella pulchra) attaining 18 cm (7.1 in) long.

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 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). The eastern glass lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis) and slender glass lizard (Ophisaurus attenuatus) may reach lengths of up to 108 cm (3.54 ft) and 107 cm (3.51 ft) 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)

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)

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Illustrations

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with List of largest extant lizards

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what List of largest extant lizards claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In science, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to List of largest extant lizards before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about List of largest extant lizards ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of List of largest extant lizards

In research: List of largest extant lizards appears in science research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses List of largest extant lizards in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: List of largest extant lizards is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics Lists of largest animals, Lists of reptiles, Lizards, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for List of largest extant lizards outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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Frequently asked questions

What is List of largest extant lizards in simple terms?

Currently there are about 40 extant families of Lacertilia. These vary considerably, e.g. in shades, colours, and sizes.

Why does List of largest extant lizards matter?

Because it connects several science ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study List of largest extant lizards?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on List of largest extant lizards.