What was the largest lizard that ever lived?

Megalania
Megalania is the largest terrestrial lizard known to have existed.

What is the largest monitor lizard?

Komodo dragon
List of largest extant lizards

Rank	Lizard	Binomial name
1	Komodo dragon	Varanus komodoensis
2	Asian water monitor	Varanus salvator
3	Crocodile monitor	Varanus salvadorii
4	Black-throated monitor	Varanus albigularis microsticus

Is the Komodo dragon the largest monitor lizard?

Komodo dragons, or Komodo monitors, are the largest, heaviest lizards in the world — and one of the few with a venomous bite. These stealthy, powerful hunters rely on their sense of smell to detect food, using their long, forked tongues to sample the air.

What is the largest reptile monitor?

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard species. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae. It occurs on Komodo Island and a few neighboring islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.

Did Komodo dragons ever live in Australia?

Komodo dragons have thrived in the harsh climate of the Indonesian Islands for millions of years. Fossils, from 50,000 years ago, show they used to live in Australia once upon a time! Due to the increasing threats of habitat destruction, poaching and natural disasters, these dragons are considered a vulnerable species.

What is the 2nd biggest lizard in the world?

water monitor lizard
The water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) is the second largest lizard in the world, outsized only by the massive Komodo dragon from Indonesia. The longest recorded water monitor lizard was from Kandy Lake in Sri Lanka. It measured 3.21 m!

Are Tegus related to Komodo dragons?

Although they resemble monitor lizards, they are only distantly related to them; the similarities are a result of convergent evolution. Some species are of economic importance as food and pets.

What is the difference between a Komodo dragon and Gila monster?

Thanks to the prodigious fat deposits in their large tails, Gila monsters can survive on just three or four meals a year. They are found in the southern half of Washington county, Utah, in the extreme southwestern part of our state.

Is a Komodo dragon the same as a monitor lizard?

Komodo dragon, (Varanus komodoensis), largest extant lizard species. The dragon is a monitor lizard of the family Varanidae. It occurs on Komodo Island and a few neighbouring islands of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia.

How many years ago did Megalania go extinct?

Although Megalania seems to have disappeared sometime after 50,000 years ago, there are actually still reports of these animals to this day. Though these reports started after the animal was first described and there is no true scientific evidence to any of these claims.

Is a Komodo dragon the right pet lizard for You?

If you want to own the world’s largest lizard, it’s illegal. It’s also extremely dangerous to have a Komodo dragon as a pet. Along with strong jaws and teeth sharp enough to cut through a body, the lizards are also venomous. You can still own a large monitor lizard, and some like the Nile monitor reach 6-feet and more in size.

Who are the Predators of the Komodo dragon?

Komodo dragons are the top predators in their range, and adults do not suffer predation by any species. Young Komodo dragons sometimes fall prey to predatory mammals, birds and other Komodo dragons.

What is the size of a monitor lizard?

A monitor lizard is a family of lizards that range in size from half a foot long (15cm) ranging all the way to the largest known lizard, the Komodo dragon , which can weigh up to 364 pounds (165 kilograms).

Do Komodo have predators?

1) Komodo Dragon. The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard on Earth. 2) Snow Leopard. The beautiful snow leopards live in high mountains of Central Asia. 3) Saltwater Crocodile. The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all living reptiles in the world. 4) Golden Eagle. 5) Polar Bear. 6) Lion. 7) Great White Shark. 8) Tiger.