It's no surprise that some of the world's deadliest snakes appear in our deadly reptiles list but there are some other surprises as well - from a giant lizard to a turtle with a nasty side.
The deadliest reptiles in the world are often characterised by their venom, aggression, and ability to deliver fatal bites.
Here are some of the world's most dangerous reptiles:
7 of the most deadly and dangerous reptiles in the world
Inland Taipan
The Inland Taipan is the world's most venomous snake. Endemic to semi-arid regions of central east Australia this snake is a specialist hunter of mammals (primarily rodents), so has evolved a potent venom adapted to kill warm-blooded animals.
This venom is by far the most toxic of any snake. It is estimated that just one bite contains enough lethality to kill at least 100 adult humans.
King Cobra
The next on our list holds the distinction of being the world’s longest venomous snake, at an impressive four metres on average, with a maximum record of 5.85 metres!
Like the Indian cobra, the regally named king cobra holds a special cultural significance in the Indian subcontinent. It is regarded as the national reptile of India, but despite this, it's unfortunately threatened by both habitat destruction and poaching for use in traditional Chinese medicine.
Killing a king cobra is a serious offence in India with imprisonment of up to six years.
Saltwater Crocodile
The largest reptile on Earth and one of the world's deadliest sea creatures, the saltwater crocodile is up to seven metres long and weighs up to 1,000kg. It lives in the Indo-Pacific region of Australia, Southeast Asia, and India and is known for its powerful bite - the strongest bite in the animal world - and tendency to regard humans as prey.
They are also extrememly aggressive when it comes to defending their territory – typically brackish coastal waters – making them an extremely dangerous proposition for anyone who crosses their path.
Even so, rates of crocodile attacks on humans tend to be massively overhyped – there were 47 attacks on humans by saltwater crocodiles in Queensland, Australia, between 1985 and July 2023, 13 of which ended in a fatality.
Komodo dragon
Although the komodo dragon's 60 serrated, shark-like teeth look pretty deadly, its bite is just one-sixth as powerful as that of a saltwater crocodile of the same size.
However these are not ordinary teeth as not only are they razor sharp and coated with iron, which helps keep the serrated-edged teeth sharp, they have a pair of venom glands in their lower jaws that can deliver poison as potent as that of the deadliest terrestrial snakes.
Alligator
Although they are considered not as aggressive as their cousins, the saltwater crocodile, American alligators are still best avoided as they will attack if they feel threatened - or hungry.
Despite their menacing looks, fatalities are rare - between 1948 and 2004, there has been just 376 injuries and 15 deaths as a result of encounters with alligators.
Alligator snapping turtle
What? A dangerous turtle? Oh yes. While death is unlikely, you won't forget a bite from one of these creatures.
Although not known to attack humans this turtle has a ferocious bite with a force of around of 1,000 pounds that can snap through bone if roused.
Native to rivers and swamps in Florida, and are recognisable thanks to their armour-like shells, which give them a pre-historic, dinosaur-like appearance.
Green anaconda
Are humans on a green anaconda’s menu? It may surprise you to learn that there are no documented records of this snake actually eating a human. But, this doesn’t mean that it has never happened - indeed, we know green anacondas have tried.
Though anacondas are not man-eaters by nature, they will take any prey they can subdue and swallow. And they can certainly extend their jaws wide enough to get around an adult human’s shoulders (our widest point), so the potential exists for them to prey on people.
The main reason why they don’t is because we avoid the places where they thrive. But as we encroach into their habitats, we should expect greater conflict with these snakes.
Want to know more about other deadly creatures?
Check out our guides to the most deadliest spiders, most venemous animals, deadliest animals to humans, deadliest insects and deadliest fish.