9 animals that look like modern-day dinosaurs

Rhinosauras Iguana

An endangered species of iguanas, the rhinoceros iguana is an endangered species that is native to the Caribbean island of Hispaniola and its surrounding islands and is found nowhere else in the world. Due to their unique scales and greyish-brown appearance, they look like modern dinosaurs.

Armadillo

Armadillos are recognized for their leathery shell, small body, and sharp claws for digging into the earth’s surface. (Source: Canva)

Armadillos are recognised for their leathery shell, small body, and sharp claws for digging into the earth’s surface. Despite their small size and short limbs, these animals can run as fast as wind. Their unique exterior shell paired with their small build makes them a modern dinosaur.

Frilled Lizard

Known by different names such as the frilled agama, the frill-neck lizard, the frill-necked lizard, and the frilled dragon, this species of lizard is often equated to a modern representation of dragons and dinosaurs. Native to the northern belt of Australia and New Guinea, the frilled lizard is the only living member of the genus Chlamydosaurus.

Red-eye crocodile skink

Scientifically known as the tribolonotus gracili, the red-eyed crocodile skink is only found in New Guinea, where it lives in tropical rainforest habitats. Sometimes kept as an exotic pet, it was first described by Nelly de Rooij in 1909.

Green basilisk

The Green Basilisk is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. (Source: Canva)

The plumed basilisk, also called the green basilisk, double-crested basilisk, or Jesus Christ lizard, is a species of lizard in the family Corytophanidae. The species is native to Central America. The plumed basilisk’s native range spans southern Mexico and northern Colombia. 

Sea Turtles

Often referred to as the cousins of dinosaurs, sea turtles have seven existing species. They are also said to have lived alongside dinosaurs and remain the most majestic marine creatures of the modern day.

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is a large lizard species native to the Indonesian islands of Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Dasami, and Gili Motang. They are not found anywhere else in the world. They are a large reptile from the family of monitor lizards.

Hornbill

These birds are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, and Melanesia. Due to their elongated down-curved bill, they are recognised as one of the most majestic and mystical creatures in the animal world.