Komodo Dragon vs Mallard

Varanus komodoensis compared with Anas platyrhynchos

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Mallard is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Mallard
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Anseriformes (Anseriformes)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Anatidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Anas
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Anas platyrhynchos

Evolutionary Relationship

Komodo Dragon and Mallard share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Mallard

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Mallard
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.

Mallard

Habitat

Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests and deserts and xeric shrublands spanning the Afrotropic and Indomalayan realms.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (5 countries), Asia (Bhutan, Nepal), Europe (7 countries), North America (Barbados, El Salvador, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), and South America (4 countries).

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard. It is found only on a few Indonesian islands.

Mallard

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List. Widespread and abundant across its range, with stable populations and no immediate conservation concerns.