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Gila monster
Heloderma suspectum
Venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and Mexico
A drug derived from Gila monster’s saliva is used to manage type 2 diabetes
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Komodo dragon
Varanus komodoensis
Largest living lizard, growing up to a length of 3 metres. Named after an island in Indonesia
Largest animal to undergo parthenogenesis
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Tuatara
family Sphenodontidae
Endemic to New Zealand
Their name derives from the Maori language, and means "peaks on the back"
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Goanna
Genus Varanus
Australian monitor lizard
Features prominently in Aboriginal mythology
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Saltwater crocodile
Crocodylus porosus
Largest reptile (the Nile crocodile is the second largest reptile). The males of this species can reach sizes up to 6.3 m (20.7 ft) and weigh up to 1,360 kg (3,000 lb)
The most dangerous breed of crocodile to humans
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Gharial
Gavialis gangeticus
Also known as the gavial. Native to the northern part of the Indian Subcontinent
Characterised by its extremely long, thin jaws. Males develop a hollow bulbous nasal protuberance at the tip of the snout upon sexual maturity
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Caiman
subfamily Caimaninae
Caimans inhabit Central and South America. They are relatively small crocodilians
Closely related to alligators
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Inland taipan
Oxyuranus microlepidotus
Also known as the fierce snake
Considered the most venomous snake in the world; based on the median lethal dose value in mice. Endemic to Australia
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Green anaconda
Eunectes murinus
A boa species found in South America. It is the largest, heaviest, and second longest (behind the reticulated python) known extant snake species
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King cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
The world's longest venomous snake, with a length up to 5.7 m
Ophiophagus is a Greek-derived word which means "snake-eater", and its diet consists primarily of other snakes
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Black mamba
Dendroaspis polylepis
Native to sub-Saharan Africa
It takes its common name not from the colour of its scales, but from the interior of its mouth, which is inky-black. The venom of the black mamba is highly toxic
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Eastern diamondback
Crotalus adamanteus
A venomous pit viper species found in the southeastern United States. It is the heaviest though not the longest venomous snake in the Americas and the largest rattlesnake
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Sidewinder
Crotalus cerastes
A rattlesnake found in the desert regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico. Also known as the horned rattlesnake
As its body progresses over loose sand, it forms a letter J-shaped impression
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Galapagos giant tortoise
Chelonoidis nigra
Largest living species of tortoise – can weigh up to 250 kg
Giant tortoises exist only on two remote archipelagos: the Galapagos, and Aldabra in the Indian Ocean
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Leatherback sea turtle
Dermochelys coriacea
Differentiated from other modern sea turtles by its lack of a bony shell. Instead, its carapace is covered by skin and oily flesh. It is capable of maintaining an elevated body temperature, which allows it to swim in cold waters. Largest of all living turtles
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Hawksbill sea turtle
Eretmochelys imbricata
Easily distinguished from other sea turtles by its sharp, curving beak, and the saw-like appearance of its shell margins
Hawksbill shells were the primary source of tortoiseshell material used for decorative purposes
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