Lizards are from the group of squamate reptiles that can be easily found globally with more than 6,000 species. A prominent part of the lizard species is also native to Australia. Australia has over 860 species of reptiles, number one compared to other continents. Therefore, in this post, we have listed the top 5+ largest lizards in Australia as of 2023.
The list is ranked based on the overall size and weight of the particular lizard. These biggest lizards are very shy toward humans; hence they always try to avoid us. So, without any further discussion, let’s begin the list.
Top 5+ Largest Lizards in Australia
6) Australian Water Dragon
| Scientific Name | Intellagama lesueurii |
| Size | 80-100 cm |
| Weight | up to 1kg |
| Diet | small birds, snakes, cats, dogs, and foxes |
| Location | native to eastern Australia from Victoria to Queensland |
Let’s begin the list of the largest lizards in Australia with the Australian Water Dragon. Australian Water Dragon includes two subspecies the eastern water dragon and the Gippsland water dragon.
These lizards can grow up to 90 cm and can often be seen in public parks, rivers, or other high-vegetation areas. They can easily climb on trees with their powerful, sharp claws and can also swim with the help of long muscular laterally-compressed tails.
5) Rosenberg’s monitor
| Scientific Name | Varanus rosenbergi |
| Size | up to 1.5 meters (4.92 ft) long |
| Weight | 1.9 kilograms (4.18 lb) |
| Diet | Insects, small birds, eggs |
| Location | Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria. |
Rosenberg’s monitors are one of the biggest lizards in Australia. They are categorized under varanid reptiles and can be witnessed in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria.
They are high-speed monitor lizards with a body length of up to 1.5 meters from head to tail. Rosenberg’s monitors are in dark color with light yellow stripes all over the tail. They mainly feed on eggs, insects, and small birds.
4) Sand gonna
| Scientific Name | Varanus gouldii |
| Size | up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) |
| Weight | 6 kilograms (13 lb) |
| Diet | Insects and small lizards |
| Location | All across Australia |
Sand goanna, also known as Gould’s monitor, sand monitor, or racehorse goanna, is one of the largest lizards found in Australia.
Sand goannas are widely spread across Australia and can be easily witnessed under extensive burrows or tree hollows. They primarily prey on mice, snakes, and carrion.
They are also immune to snakes’ venom and are responsible for eliminating most venomous snakes. Like other goannas, sand goannas have a forked tongue that assists them in picking the scents in the air.
3) Yellow-spotted monitor
| Scientific Name | Varanus panoptes |
| Size | average 1.5 meters (4.92 ft) long |
| Weight | 8-20 kilograms (44.09 lb) |
| Diet | Fish, crabs, small birds, rodents, and insects |
| Location | Western Australia |
Yellow-spotted monitor is one of the biggest lizards found in the northern and western regions of Australia.
It is also known as Argus monitor. These monitors are primarily yellow in color with a brown or dark tan background.
They mainly feed on fish, rodents, crabs, and other insects. Yellow-spotted monitors are very fast and quick. They can run and dig large burrows in no time when being chased.
Also, sometimes, these monitors are able to hybridize with Sand goannas due to similar genital composition.
2) Lace monitor
| Scientific Name | Varanus varius |
| Size | up to 2 meters (6.6 ft) long |
| Weight | 14 kilograms (31 lb) |
| Diet | Insects, Birds, small mammals, eggs, dead carcasses |
| Location | Eastern Australia |
Lace Monitor is the second largest monitor lizard native to Eastern Australia. These monitors have a dark gray to dull bluish-black body with various cream-colored spots and can be found in Queensland, New South Wales, and the Flinders Ranges in South Australia.
They are also a great climber, despite having large size body. Lace Monitors are apex predators who love to eat eggs, dead carcasses, leftover meat scraps, and small mammals.
1) Perentie
| Scientific Name | Varanus giganteus |
| Size | up to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) long |
| Weight | 20 kg (44 lb) |
| Diet | Birds, small mammals, and other reptiles |
| Location | Great Dividing Range |
The Perentie is the largest monitor lizard in Australia. It can be found in the arid region of Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. However, Perenties are very difficult to discover because of their shy nature.
They generally avoid human contact and quickly retreat with their enormous claws. Despite having large sizes and heavy weights, Perenties can easily climb trees with the help of their large claws.
Also, researchers categorize Perentie as a venomous lizard, and its bite can cause swelling, blood clotting, and tremendous pain.
Here, we conclude our article on “Top 5+ Largest Lizards in Australia.” We hope you like it. We will be back with another article. Till then, stay tuned with us and read other Top 10s mentioned below.
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