Komodo Dragon vs

Varanus komodoensis compared with Peniophora violaceolivida

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Russulales (Russulales)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Peniophoraceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Peniophora
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Peniophora violaceolivida

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

LC — Least Concern

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.

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States.

Komodo Dragon

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

Peniophora violaceolivida is a corticioid basidiomycete fungus producing smooth, resupinate (crust-like) fruiting bodies with violet to olive-grey tones on dead wood of broadleaf trees. It is a wood decomposer found in temperate European forests, contributing to white rot of hardwood. The species is one of many Peniophora fungi that colonise dead branches and fallen logs in woodland.