Supersize Squamates

Part of the Lizards and Snakes: Alive! exhibition.

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Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) World's largest lizard species, growing to length of up to 3 meters.
© Jessie Cohen, Smithsonian National Zoological Park

At times during the past, close relatives of some of the animals on display grew to enormous size. The largest monitor on Earth today is the fierce Komodo Dragon, but it's dwarfed by these members of its family tree.

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A Huge Group Sight Hounds Transitional Group Nose Hounds Snakes Epilogue Squamate Studio Meet the Curators Herpetology at AMNH Squamate Fun Facts Collaborators Resources For Educators: Lizards and Snakes Alive!