Which rainforest reptile is the world’s heaviest lizard?

The Komodo dragon is the world’s heaviest lizard.

Komodo dragons are giant monitor lizards native to several Indonesian islands, including Komodo, Rinca, Gili Motang and parts of Flores. Although their habitats include dry forests, savannas and coastal areas rather than only rainforest, they are major predators in tropical island ecosystems.

Adults can reach about 3 metres in length and weigh around 70 kilograms in the wild, with some exceptional captive animals heavier. They use a powerful bite, sharp teeth and venom-associated glands to help subdue prey. Their diet includes deer, wild pigs and smaller animals.

The species is often confused with the mythical “dragon” of folklore, but it is a real monitor lizard in the family Varanidae. It is also not the longest lizard; some reticulated monitors can be longer, while the Komodo dragon is recognized for greatest mass.