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Well the answer seems to vary, depending on your source, as well as your definition of "largest." But you identified two of the top contenders for the title. According to Zooish.com and several other sites, the world's largest living reptile is the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodensis), weighing in at 300 pounds, 10 feet long. It seems to be the largest lizard but not necessarily the largest reptile. Other sites name the Australian saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) winner in the reptilian size contest.
Reportedly, adult males can reach 23 feet in length, although it is rare to find one over 17 feet long. Unfortunately, we couldn't unearth a maximum weight for the creature. (Our guess is no one wanted to get close enough to weigh one!) Still other sites claim that the honor goes to the leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). Apparently, they can grow to be up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 1500 pounds. Personally, we aren't willing to get up close and personal with any of these creatures and choose to leave the matter open to debate. However, you may want to ask Phil Bronstein for his opinion. We hear
he has some first hand (or should that be foot?) experience with Komodo dragons.
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