With films like Jurassic World, the subject of reptiles has had a resurgence in the minds of kids and adults alike. While we aren’t facing velociraptors in real life, some living reptiles are massive enough to capture our imagination – and potentially pose a threat to humans. In this article, we’ll explore the 15 heaviest reptiles in the world, ranging from the iconic Galápagos Tortoise to the formidable Saltwater Crocodile.
These giants of the reptile world weigh between 390 lbs and a staggering 2,200 lbs, with lengths spanning from 4.9 feet to over 20 feet (a bit over 6 meters). Dominated by crocodilians, this list also includes members of the Alligatoridae family and Testudines (turtles and tortoises). Prepare to be amazed by these modern-day dinosaurs as we explore their habitats, diets, and fascinating characteristics.
For your convenience here is a table of the 15 largest living reptiles in the world. You can click on the species to learn more about each one.
| Species | Average Weight lbs (kg) | Average Length ft (m) | Conservation Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15. Galápagos Tortoise | 475-550 (215-249) | 4-5.9 (1.2-1.8) | Vulnerable |
| 14. Slender-Snouted Crocodile | 390-500 (177-227) | 10-13 (3-4) | Critically Endangered |
| 13. Green Sea Turtle | 550-700 (249-317) | 3-4 (0.9-1.2) | Endangered |
| 12. Loggerhead Sea Turtle | 550-1000 (249-454) | 2.5-3.5 (0.8-1.1) | Vulnerable |
| 11. Aldabra Giant Tortoise | 550-800 (249-363) | 3.3-4 (1-1.2) | Vulnerable |
| 10. False Gharial | 700-1000 (317-454) | 13-23 (4-7) | Vulnerable |
| 9. Mugger Crocodile | 700-1100 (317-499) | 10-16.5 (3-5) | Vulnerable |
| 8. American Alligator | 800-1000 (363-454) | 10-15 (3-4.6) | Least Concern |
| 7. Gharial | 800-1500 (363-680) | 12.5-20 (3.8-6.1) | Critically Endangered |
| 6. American Crocodile | 900-1500 (408-680) | 10-20 (3-6.1) | Vulnerable |
| 5. Black Caiman | 1100-1300 (499-590) | 9-14 (2.7-4.3) | Conservation Dependent |
| 4. Leatherback Sea Turtle | 1100-2000 (499-907) | 5.5-7 (1.7-2.1) | Vulnerable |
| 3. Orinoco Crocodile | 1100-1500 (499-680) | 13-17 (4-5.2) | Critically Endangered |
| 2. Nile Crocodile | 1000-1650 (454-748) | 11.5-20 (3.5-6.1) | Least Concern |
| 1. Saltwater Crocodile | 1000-2200 (454-998) | 14-23 (4.3-7) | Least Concern |
15. Galápagos Tortoise
Weight Range: 475-550 lbs
The Galápagos Tortoise, an icon of the Galápagos Islands, is a living testament to the wonders of evolution. These gentle giants, with their distinctive domed shells, have captured the imagination of scientists and nature enthusiasts for centuries, including Charles Darwin himself.
Habitat
Native to seven of the Galápagos Islands, these gentle giants are found in both humid and arid environments.
Diet
Primarily herbivorous, feeding on grass, leaves, cacti, and fruits.
Interesting Facts about Galápagos Tortoises
- The Galápagos Tortoise can live well over 100 years, making them one of the longest-lived vertebrates.
- It’s shell shape varies based on the island’s environment – domed in humid areas, saddleback in arid regions.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation efforts include breeding programs and habitat protection.
14. Slender-Snouted Crocodile
Weight Range: 390-500 lbs
Despite its name suggesting a delicate build, the Slender-Snouted Crocodile is a formidable predator of African waterways. Its unique snout shape sets it apart from other crocodilians and plays a crucial role in its hunting strategy.
Habitat
The Slender-Snouted Crocodile lives in freshwater habitats in western and central Africa, preferring heavily vegetated areas.
Diet
Primarily fish, also consumes amphibians and crustaceans.
Interesting Facts about Slender-Snouted Crocodiles
- Named for its distinctive long, narrow snout.
- Excellent swimmers, using their powerful tails for propulsion.
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered. Efforts focus on habitat protection and anti-poaching measures.
13. Green Sea Turtle
Weight Range: 550-700 lbs
The Green Sea Turtle, with its streamlined shell and powerful flippers, is a master of long-distance ocean travel. These ancient mariners have plied the world’s oceans for over 100 million years, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems.
Habitat
Tropical and subtropical seas worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
Diet
Green Sea Turtles are primarily herbivorous as adults, feeding on seagrasses and algae.
Interesting Facts about Green Sea Turtles
- Named for the color of their fat, not their shells, which are typically olive to black.
- Can migrate long distances between feeding grounds and nesting beaches.
Conservation Status
Endangered. Conservation efforts include nesting site protection and reducing bycatch in fisheries.
12. Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Weight Range: 550-1000 lbs
Named for their exceptionally large heads, Loggerhead Sea Turtles are the world’s largest hard-shelled turtles. These oceanic wanderers are known for their incredible navigational abilities, often returning to nest on the very beaches where they were born.
Habitat
Found in the Atlantic, Pacific, Indian Oceans, and the Mediterranean Sea.
Diet
Omnivorous, feeding primarily on bottom-dwelling invertebrates.
Interesting Facts about Loggerhead Sea Turtles
- Females typically lay eggs every 2-3 years, with an average of four clutches per season.
- Loggerhead sea turtles spend most of their life at sea
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation includes protecting nesting beaches and promoting the use of turtle-exclusion devices in fishing nets.
11. Aldabra Giant Tortoise
Weight Range: 550-800 lbs
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise, a close relative of the Galápagos Tortoise, is a living relic of a bygone era and is the eleventh heaviest reptile in the world. These island dwellers have survived the test of time, outliving many of their contemporaries to become one of the longest-lived animals on Earth.
Habitat
The Aldabra Giant Tortoise native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, inhabiting grasslands and scrub forests.
Diet
Herbivorous, grasses, leaves, and woody plant stems are its main source of food.
Interesting Facts about Aldabra Giant Tortoises
- One of only two extant species of giant tortoises in the world.
- Known to occasionally feed on small invertebrates and carrion.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation efforts include habitat protection and captive breeding programs.
10. False Gharial
Weight Range: 700-1000 lbs
The False Gharial, with its distinctive long snout, is a biological marvel that blends features of crocodiles and true gharials. This unique reptile, once widespread across Southeast Asia, now faces significant challenges in its shrinking habitat.
Habitat
Freshwater rivers, lakes, and swamps in Malaysia, Indonesia, and southern Thailand.
Diet
The False Gharial is primarily piscivorous, but known to clamp it’s jaws on larger animals including primates and deer.
Interesting Facts about False Gharials
- Also known as the Malayan gharial or Sunda gharial.
- Despite its name, it’s more closely related to true crocodiles than to the Indian gharial.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation focuses on habitat protection and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
9. Mugger Crocodile
Weight Range: 700-1100 lbs
In 9th place on the list of largest reptiles in the world, the Mugger Crocodile, also known as the Marsh Crocodile, is a highly adaptable predator found across the Indian subcontinent. Its name derives from the Hindi word for “water monster,” reflecting its formidable presence in both natural and man-made waterways.
Habitat
Freshwater habitats in Iran, Pakistan, India, Nepal, and possibly Myanmar.
Diet
Opportunistic predator, feeding on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Interesting Facts about Mugger Crocodiles
- Also known as the marsh crocodile or broad-snouted crocodile.
- Can dig burrows to escape extreme temperatures.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation efforts include habitat protection and sustainable eco-tourism.
8. American Alligator
Weight Range: 800-1000 lbs
The American Alligator, an icon of the southeastern United States, is a remarkable success story in wildlife conservation. Once on the brink of extinction, these prehistoric-looking reptiles have made a dramatic comeback, reclaiming their role as apex predators in their ecosystems.
Habitat
Freshwater environments in the southeastern United States, including rivers, swamps, and marshes.
Diet
Opportunistic predator, feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals.
Interesting Facts about American Aligators
- Males use infrasound to attract females during mating season.
- A conservation success story, having recovered from endangered status in only 14 years.
Conservation Status
Least Concern. Continued monitoring and habitat protection ensure stable populations.
7. Gharial
Weight Range: 800-1500 lbs
The Gharial, with its incredibly narrow snout lined with interlocking teeth, is one of the most distinctive-looking crocodilians in the world. These specialized fish-eaters once dominated the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent but now teeter on the brink of extinction.
Habitat
River systems in northern India and Nepal.
Diet
Primarily piscivorous, with a long, narrow snout adapted for catching fish.
Interesting Facts about Gharials
- Males develop a bulbous growth on their snout, called a ghara, which is used in mating displays.
- One of the longest of all living crocodilians.
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered. Conservation efforts include captive breeding and reintroduction programs.
6. American Crocodile
Weight Range: 900-1500 lbs
The American Crocodile is a master of both freshwater and marine environments, showcasing the incredible adaptability of crocodilians. Despite its intimidating size, it’s generally less aggressive towards humans than its African and Australian cousins, making it a fascinating subject for wildlife enthusiasts.
Habitat
Coastal areas, including brackish waters and mangrove swamps, from southern Florida to northern South America.
Diet
It’s diet is primarily fish, but also preys on small mammals, birds, and other reptiles.
Interesting Facts about American Crocodiles
- Can thrive in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
- Less aggressive towards humans compared to other large crocodilian species.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation efforts focus on habitat protection and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
5. Black Caiman
Weight Range: 1100-1300 lbs
The Black Caiman, the largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem, is a living link to the ancient crocodilians that once roamed alongside dinosaurs. These massive reptiles play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of South America’s river systems.
Habitat
Slow-moving rivers, lakes, and flooded forests in the Amazon basin.
Diet
Apex predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey including capybaras, deer, and other caimans.
Interesting Facts about Black Caimans
- Largest predator in the Amazon ecosystem.
- Males can grow up to 14 feet in length.
Conservation Status
Conservation Dependent. Recovery efforts have helped populations rebound from near-extinction due to overhunting.
4. Leatherback Sea Turtle
Weight Range: 1100-2000 lbs
Coming in at number four in our list of the heaviest reptiles in the world, The Leatherback Sea Turtle, the largest of all living turtles, is a true ocean giant. Unlike its hard-shelled relatives, the Leatherback’s flexible, leather-like carapace allows it to dive deeper than any other sea turtle, hunting jellyfish in the ocean’s twilight zone.
Habitat
Found in all tropical and subtropical oceans, and travel into colder waters to feed.
Diet
Primarily jellyfish, helping to control jellyfish populations.
Interesting Facts about Leatherback Sea Turtles
- Largest of all living turtles and the only species of sea turtle that lacks a hard shell.
- Can dive to depths of over 4,000 feet and stay underwater for up to 85 minutes.
Conservation Status
Vulnerable. Conservation efforts include protecting nesting sites and reducing plastic pollution in oceans.
3. Orinoco Crocodile
Weight Range: 1100-1500 lbs
The Orinoco Crocodile, one of the largest crododylus in the Americas, is a critically endangered giant of South American rivers. Once abundant in the Orinoco River basin, these impressive reptiles now cling to existence, with their recovery symbolizing hope for the entire ecosystem.
Habitat
Freshwater habitats in the Orinoco River basin of Colombia and Venezuela.
Diet
Opportunistic predator, feeding on fish, birds, and mammals.
Interesting Facts about Orinoco Crocodiles
- One of the largest extant crocodile species.
- Males can grow up to 17 feet in length.
Conservation Status
Critically Endangered. Conservation efforts include captive breeding programs and reintroduction to protected areas.
2. Nile Crocodile
Weight Range: 1000-1650 lbs
The second largest reptile in the world is the Nile Crocodile, an apex predator of African waterways, has been both revered and feared throughout human history and is the second heaviest reptile in the world. These ancient reptiles, capable of taking down large mammals, play a significant role in shaping the ecosystems they inhabit and have even influenced human settlements along Africa’s rivers.
Habitat
Various freshwater habitats throughout sub-Saharan Africa, with some populations in brackish waters.
Diet
Opportunistic apex predator, known to take down large prey including wildebeest and zebras.
Interesting Facts about Nile Crocodiles
- Second-largest living reptile.
- Known for its patient hunting strategy, sometimes waiting for hours or days to ambush prey.
Conservation Status
Least Concern overall, but some regional populations are threatened. Conservation focuses on managing human-wildlife conflict and habitat protection.
1. Saltwater Crocodile (the largest reptile)
Weight Range: 1000-2200 lbs
The Saltwater Crocodile, is the top of our list as the heaviest reptile on record , is the undisputed ruler of estuaries and coastal areas across Southeast Asia and Australia. These massive predators, capable of taking down almost any prey that enters their territory, represent the pinnacle of crocodilian evolution.
Habitat
Coastal brackish water habitats, estuaries, and lower stretches of rivers from India through Southeast Asia to northern Australia.
Diet
Apex predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey including fish, mammals, birds, and even sharks.
Interesting Facts about saltwater crocodiles.
- The largest living reptile and largest terrestrial predator in the world.
- Known for its aggressive behavior and powerful bite force.
Conservation Status
Least Concern. However, habitat loss and conflict with humans remain ongoing challenges.
