Komodo Dragon vs Possum-haw

Varanus komodoensis compared with Ilex decidua

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Possum-haw is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Possum-haw
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Aquifoliales (Aquifoliales)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Aquifoliaceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Ilex
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Ilex decidua

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Possum-haw

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Possum-haw
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.

Possum-haw

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

Komodo Dragon

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