vs Komodo Dragon

Desulfurococcus mucosus compared with Varanus komodoensis

Key Differences

is Not Evaluated while Komodo Dragon is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank		Komodo Dragon
Kingdom	Archaea (Archaea)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Thermoproteota (Thermoproteota)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Thermoproteia	Reptilia (Reptiles)
Order	Sulfolobales (Sulfolobales)	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)
Family	Desulfurococcaceae	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)
Genus	Desulfurococcus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)
Species	Desulfurococcus mucosus	Varanus komodoensis

Conservation Status

NE — Not Evaluated

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute		Komodo Dragon
Diet	—	Carnivore
Average Lifespan	—	30 years
Average Length	—	2.6 m
Average Weight	—	70.0 kg

Habitat & Geographic Range

Komodo Dragon

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 4 distinct biome types spanning the Australasia and Indomalayan realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Indonesia. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Desulfurococcus mucosus is a hyperthermophilic archaeon in the family Desulfurococcaceae, thriving in hot, anaerobic environments such as hot springs and hydrothermal vents at temperatures above 80°C. It is an obligate anaerobe that reduces sulfur as an electron acceptor during metabolism. Its cell surface is covered in a characteristic mucous-like S-layer that gives it its species name.