It was considered to be a giant lizard. Bunzel therefore concluded that the ribs belonged to a giant lizard. We encountered the huge birds and the giant lizard, megalania. Ouwens named the giant lizard "Varanus komodoensis". The islet looks like a giant lizard when viewed from the city of Heraklion. About long, the Hierro giant lizard is a thickset reptile with a broad head. The Hierro giant lizard is protected by national and international legislation. The La Gomera Giant Lizard is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List.