The 15 Largest Reptiles That Live in the United States

Reptiles might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but there’s no denying that they’re fascinating in many ways. And while size doesn’t always give you an advantage, certain reptiles are simply so large that anything in their path will have trouble escaping. Not to mention that some are venomous while others have extremely sharp teeth and a very powerful bite (looking at you crocs and gators). 

Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake

The Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake is the heavyweight champ of venomous snakes in the US. This bad boy can reach up to 8 feet in length and weigh about 10 pounds. Its diamond-shaped patterns are pretty to look at, but you wouldn’t want to get too close – its bite packs quite the punch.

Gila Monster

This desert dweller might sound like something out of a sci-fi movie, but the Gila Monster is very real. Growing up to 2 feet long and weighing around 5 pounds, this venomous lizard is more of a slowpoke. Its bright, beaded skin is a warning: “Don’t mess with me!”

American Alligator

These swamp-dwelling dinosaurs are practically Florida’s mascots. American Alligators can grow up to 13 feet long and tip the scales at a whopping 500 pounds. They might look lazy basking in the sun, but when threatened, they can reach 20 mph in one swift dash. Though they won’t be running any marathons, that’s for sure.

Texas Horned Lizard

Also known as the “Horny Toad,” this little critter is about 5 inches long and weighs a few ounces. While it’s objectively not large compared to other reptiles, it’s one of the largest in its group. It also has one of the weirdest defense mechanisms due to the ability to shoot blood from its eyes.

Green Iguana

This sun-loving lizard can grow up to 6 feet long and weigh around 20 pounds. It lives in South Florida but that isn’t its native home (Central and South America are). Sometimes when these iguanas sleep in trees and a cold weather front comes, they’ll go cold as well and lose their grip on the branches, falling to the ground with painful thuds.

Eastern Indigo Snake

The Eastern Indigo Snake is the longest native snake in the US, reaching up to 9 feet in length. Weighing around 10 pounds, it’s a non-venomous snake that’s more interested in slithering through forests and swamps than bothering humans so if you come across one, stay a while and gaze at its beauty.

Desert Tortoise

These slow-moving tanks of the desert can grow up to 15 inches long and weigh around 15 pounds. Desert Tortoises are built for survival with a shell that’s tough enough to withstand harsh conditions. They might be slow, but they’re definitely steady. Sadly, they were recently designated as Endangered in California.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

Loggerhead Sea Turtles are coastal giants, growing up to 3 feet long and weighing around 250 pounds (with the heaviest specimen weighing roughly 1,000 pounds). These ocean wanderers come ashore to lay their eggs, making them a beachgoer’s occasional surprise guest. They live in almost all the world’s coastal waters but their population has slowly been diminishing.

Northern Pine Snake

This hefty snake can grow up to 7 feet long and weigh around 10 pounds. It’s a big, hissy noodle that gets very loud if threatened. And while it looks like it’s ready to say mean things to you, it’s actually harmless because it doesn’t have venom. It also likes theatrics because when people handle them, they’ll yell as if you’re hurting it but it’s all for show.

Spiny Softshell Turtle

With its pancake-like body, the Spiny Softshell Turtle is quite the aquatic speedster. Growing up to 18 inches long and weighing about 20 pounds, it’s a master of darting through rivers and lakes. Its soft, flexible shell might look odd, but it’s perfect for slipping through the water like a ninja.

American Crocodile

Move over, gators – the American Crocodile is here to steal the spotlight. These big guys can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh around 800 pounds. They mostly live in South Florida because of their love of warm, salty waters. With their toothy grins and impressive size, they’re like the cool, exotic cousins of the alligator family.

Alligator Snapping Turtle

Looking like a prehistoric tank, the Alligator Snapping Turtle is a river’s nightmare. Growing up to 2.5 feet long and weighing over 200 pounds, this turtle has a spiked shell and jaws that could make a crocodile jealous. It’s the ultimate underwater ambush predator, lurking in slow-moving rivers and lakes, waiting for a tasty meal to wander by.

Cottonmouth

Also known as the Water Moccasin, the Cottonmouth is a snake with attitude. Growing up to 6 feet long and weighing about 10 pounds, it gets its name from the bright white interior of its mouth, which it shows off when threatened. Found in the Southeast, this venomous snake loves to swim and isn’t shy about letting you know it’s around.

Timber Rattlesnake

The Timber Rattlesnake is the woodland warrior of the snake world. Growing up to 6 feet long and weighing around 5 pounds, it prefers forests and rocky hillsides. Its distinctive rattle is like nature’s alarm system, giving you a heads-up to back off and stay far away lest you want to get a nasty bite.

Saltwater Crocodile

The Saltwater Crocodile is the largest reptile in the United States, weighing more than 2,000 pounds and growing up to 20 feet in length. These monsters are aggressive and territorial, meaning that anything crossing their path will be in for a rough time. Though, there’s no denying that they’re a majestic sight when looked at from afar.

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