We have previously written an article on “List of Most Expensive Reptiles in the World,” and people love it the most. Therefore to continue that part of the post, here we have come up with another explanatory article on the Top 15 Most Expensive Lizards in the world that are very difficult to afford, at least for me right now.
But here, before proceeding, let us state that here we are considering only lizards, not salamanders. Most people consider them the same, but it’s precisely the opposite. The primary difference is Lizards are reptiles and terrestrial with rough skin, whereas Salamanders are amphibians with moist and non-scaly skin.
Lizards are an ancient group of reptiles with particular adaptations and traits depending on their habitat. They are not dinosaurs, although they have developed nearly the same characteristics. There are over 7000 lizard species discovered now, and each has distinct adaptations like Lizards with four legs, two legs, or no legs, lizards with horns, lizards with frills, and lizards with wings.
We hope that it will clear your doubts. So, below we have provided you with an overview of the most expensive lizards from all around the world. This list is not arranged and is only to give you some reference.
- New Caledonian Giant Gecko- $500-$600
- Black Throat Monitor- $600-$800
- Brazilian Galliwasp- $600+
- Spiny-Necked Monitor- $1300-$1600
- Blue Tree Monitor- $1700-$1900
- Omani uromastyx- $900-$1000
- Arboreal Alligator Lizard- $1200+
- Shingleback skink- $2000+
- Crocodile Monitor- $1,999-$2999
- Chinese crocodile lizard- $3000+
- Centralian Blue Tongue Skinks- $1,500- $5,000
- Black Dragon Water Monitor- $1,799-$3,500
- Perentie Monitor Lizard- Up to $10,000 (outside Australia)
- Super Bell’s Phase Lace Monitor- $7500-$12,500
- Earless Monitor Lizard- up to $25,000
- Tokay Gecko- $33,000-$100,000+
- Adult Male Rhino Iguana- $2000+
Note- We are not breeders; these prices are based on online sales shown on Google. Prices may differ depending on region to region. Here, we have taken the reference of BlackWaterReptiles and UndergroundReptiles. Also, this post is only for educational purposes.
Top 15 Most Expensive Lizards Worldwide
15) Black Throat Monitor
- Price- $600-$800
- Scientific Name– Varanus albigularis microstictus
- Size– It can reach up to 7 feet
- Life Span– 15-20 years
With its striking appearance and intriguing personality, this remarkable creature is more than just a pet.
While Black Throat Monitor may not be the cuddliest of the pets you’ve owned, their unique behaviors and striking appearance make them endlessly fascinating to observe.
In captivity, they are known to feed on mice, rats, snakes, and other smaller animals.
As this species is protected under several conservation laws, it is important to choose one that has been responsibly bred.
14) Arboreal Alligator Lizard
- Price- $1200+
- Scientific Name– Abronia graminea
- Size– Up to 4.2 inches in length
- Life Span– In captivity they can thrive for up to 10 years
Hailing from the misty highlands of Mexico’s Sierra Madre de Oaxaca, arboreal alligator lizards thrive in humid temperate climates.
Like the other lizards we’ve talked about, it is important to provide the arboreal alligator lizard with adequate living conditions mimicking their natural habitat.
As it’s considered illegal to take these from the wild, the prices to obtain them are usually on the higher side.
13) Spiny-Necked Monitor
- Price- $1300-$1600
- Scientific Name– Varanus spinulosus
- Size– About 24 to 30 inches
- Life Span– Can live up to 10 to 15 years in captivity
Hailing from the beautiful Solomon Islands archipelago, this lizard is not just a pet; it’s a fascinating companion.
While they may not be the most social of reptiles, their unique behavior and striking appearance make up for it.
If you plan to keep them as pets, it is recommended that you maintain a spacious enclosure with climbing structures, basking spots, and hiding places that mimic their natural habitat.
It’s important to remember that these amazing creatures are not to be collected from the wild as many efforts have been taken to protect this species.
12) Blue Tree Monitor
- Price- $1700-$1900
- Scientific Name– Varanus macraei
- Size– Around 3.5 feet
- Life Span– Live up to 10 to 15 years in captivity
In the list, the next lizard is the blue tree monitor, a relatively large blue-spotted tree monitor that is active during the day.
If you are someone who needs a long-time companion, then these blue tree monitors are the best as when taken care of they can live up to 10-15 years.
They also exhibit a very curious and alert personality, making them fascinating to observe.
11) Leach’s giant gecko
- Price- $500-$2000
- Scientific Name– Rhacodactylus leachianus
- Size– Approximately 9-17 inches
- Life Span– Up to 50 years in captivity
Their robust bodies and striking appearance make them an impressive addition to your home.
If you thought the Black Throat Monitor could be your long-time companion, Leach’s Giant Geckos are here to claim the number one spot, with some individuals even surpassing the age of 50!
As an avid reader of https://howitsee.com/, you must already know that we’ve always promoted ethical pet purchasing.
Therefore, when buying a Leach’s giant gecko, it is important to ensure they are responsibly bred.
Among the many folklore tales associated with these giant geckos is the belief held by the indigenous Kanak people of New Caledonia that these geckos have the ability to cling to a person’s body and extract their soul.
10) Shingleback skink
- Price- $2000+
- Scientific Name- Tiliqua rugosa
- Size- 12 to 18 inches long
- Life Span- 10 to 15 years
The Shingleback lizard, also known as the Bobtail lizard, is a short-tail lizard endemic to Australia, which is why it is costlier worldwide. These lizards can be ranged in different colors from dark brown with yellow spots to cream and black. Hence, there can be variations in the prices depending on their size and color.
Shingleback has a triangular head, and the design of its tail is also similar by storing more fat. It is because it confuses the predators about its actual head; that’s why its name is also “two-headed skink.” These lizards show sexual dimorphism where the overall body-size females are larger than males.
9) Adult Male Rhino Iguana
- Price- $2000+
- Scientific Name- Cyclura cornuta
- Size- 24 to 54 inches long
- Life Span- 15 to 17 years
Rhinocerous Iguana is an endangered species native to the Caribbean Islands of Hispaniola. The price of a Rhinoceros Iguana differs from region to region, size, and gender; for example, an Adult Male Rhino Iguana can cost more than $2000. The main reason behind their population decline is deforestation and other involvement of humans.
Rhinoceros Iguanas are primarily found in greenish-brown or grayish-brown color with a bony-plated pseudo-horn on the top of its nose that looks like the horn of a rhinoceros. These lizards mainly feed on leaves, flowers, berries, and fruits from different plant species.
8) Crocodile Monitor
- Price- $1,999-$2999
- Scientific Name- Varanus salvadorii
- Size- upto 96 inches long
- Life Span- 10 to 20 years
Crocodile Monitors, also known as Papuan monitor and Salvadori’s monitor, are one of the longest monitor lizards endemic to New Guinea. These monitor lizards have dark green bodies with yellow spots from head to tail.
The primary characteristics are a blunt snout and a very long tail. These monitors are not actually too big compared to Komoda dragons, but some specimens have been claimed to exceed the length of Komoda dragons only because of a long tail. Crocodile Monitor primarily feeds on birds, bats, rodents, and other monitor lizards.
7) Chinese Crocodile Lizard
- Price- $3000+
- Scientific Name- Shinisaurus crocodilurus
- Size- 16 to 18 inches long
- Life Span- 10 to 12 years
Chinese Crocodile Lizards are dark brown lizards with red, yellow, and cream color patterns endemic to southeastern China and northeastern Vietnam. These lizards are semiaquatic and spend most of their time underwater hunting insects, snails, and tadpoles.
They are classified as Endangered species and listed under CITES Appendix I. Chinese Crocodile Lizards are one of the most beautiful lizards.
6) Black Dragon Water Monitor
- Price- $1,799-$3,500
- Scientific Name- Varanus salvator macromaculatus
- Size- 1.5 to 3 meters long
- Life Span- 11 to 25 years
Black Dragon Water Monitors are one of the largest lizards in the world. These are basically water monitors, and they attain a solid black color due to a genetic mutation. That’s why they are very costly in many regions.
The primary diet of Black Dragon Water Monitor is rodents, frogs, small fish, eggs, etc. Their other common names are Black Asian Water Monitor and Black Water Monitor.
5) Centralian Blue Tongue Skink
- Price- $1,500- $5,000
- Scientific Name- Tiliqua multifasciata
- Size- 15.5 and 17.5 inches long
- Life Span- 15 to 20 years
Centralian blue-tongued skink or Centralian blue-tongue is a species of skink that is predominantly pale brown in color with orange bands and a blue tongue native to Australia.
It has a short and robust body with a slender tail and shiny orange scales all over it, making it very beautiful. The price of these skinks varies worldwide depending on region, size, and gender. Centralian Blue Tongue Skink mainly feeds on seeds, insects, and dung.
4) Perentie Monitor Lizard
- Price- Up to $10,000 (outside Australia)
- Scientific Name- Varanus giganteus
- Size- 1.5 to 2.5 meters long
- Life Span- 15 to 19 years
The largest Monitor Lizard in Australia is Perentie Monitor Lizard which can grow up to 2.5 meters long and weighs over 44lb. These monitor lizards are slightly venomous.
They have a yellow color body with black patterns all over it. These lizards can be found at low prices in Australia, but they are very difficult to export; that’s why the prices can go up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000).
3) Super Bell’s Phase Lace Monitor
- Price- $7500-$12,500
- Scientific Name- Varanus Varius
- Size- 1.5 to 2 meters long
- Life Span- 10 to 15 years
Another monitor lizard native to Australia is the Lace Monitor. Super Bell’s Phase Lace Monitor lizards are in solid black and yellow color, making them one of the most beautiful lizards.
Females are slightly smaller than males. These monitor lizards can weigh up to 30lb. Super Bell’s Phase Lace Monitors are very expensive lizards and can be sold for more than ten thousand dollars depending on the breed, size, location, and season.
2) Earless Monitor Lizard
- Price- up to $25,000
- Scientific Name- Lanthanotus borneensis
- Size- upto 16 inches long
- Life Span- 7 to 10 years
Another expensive lizard is Earless Monitor Lizard. This lizard is a rare semi-aquatic reptile with unique defining features like hidden ears, rough-textured brown color body, and light blue eyes.
Unlike other lizards, they cannot regrow their tail if it’s lost or cut. It is illegal to search Earless Monitor Lizard species from the wild, and that’s why they are costly.
1) Tokay Gecko
- Price- $33,000- $100,000+
- Scientific Name- Gekko gecko
- Size- 8-12 inches
- Life Span- up to 10 years
A common gecko can be listed for around $150 to $300. But here we are referring to true geckos that are supposed to have descended from the family group of dragons. Its biological parts are used as an ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine known as “Ge Jie.”
It is also believed that this medicine can help in curing cancer and other lung infections. According to “The New Indian Express,” this lizard can be priced between $33,000- $100,000+ in the international market of wildlife, depending upon size and maturity.
Here, we conclude our article on “Top 15 Most Expensive Lizards Worldwide.” We hope you like and learn something from this post. If you find new information regarding this topic, kindly mention it in the comment box. We will discuss this in the article. Till then, stay healthy and tuned with us.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is the price of the most expensive lizard?
Ans. A Tokay Gecko can cost you up to $100,000+.
2) What is the most expensive reptile you can buy?
Ans. A High Blue Green Tree Python can cost you from $500,000 to 1 million (in some rare cases).
3) What is the rarest lizard?
Ans. The Jamaican iguana (Cyclura collei) holds the Guinness World Record for being the rarest lizard.
4) What is the rarest color lizard?
Ans. Blue is the rarest color for a lizard to have, as blue is not a pigment in herps but rather produced by light being bounced through reflective cells called iridophores in the skin.
5) What is the cutest lizard?
Ans. The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is often considered one of the cutest lizards. Ultimately, the cuteness of a lizard or any animal, in general, is subjective and varies from person to person.
6) What are the 2 most poisonous lizards?
Ans. The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and the water monitor (Varanus salvator) are known to be the most venomous lizards.
7) What is the best lizard in the world?
Ans. The bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is considered one of the best pet lizards due to its docile, calm, and friendly nature. Along with being one of the most amicable lizards to own, it is also, by popular opinion, one of the cutest to own.
8) How much is a dragon lizard?
Ans. A dragon lizard can cost you anywhere from $40 (red baby dragon lizard) to $2,999.99 (Baby Black Dragon Monitor).
9) What is the price of a Tokay lizard in the US?
Ans. The price of a Tokay lizard can vary depending on its size, color, age, and other criteria, but they usually range between $100 and $250+.
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Hi everyone, my name is Shawna, and I’ve always been fascinated by the fascinating diversity of flora and fauna that our nature has in it. I am currently studying biotechnology and am particularly interested in animal biotechnology, delving into the intricate processes that define their true nature and uniqueness.