Komodo Dragon vs

Varanus komodoensis compared with Rhizocarpon oederi

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while is Extinct.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Rhizocarpales (Rhizocarpales)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Rhizocarpaceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Rhizocarpon
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Rhizocarpon oederi

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

EX — Extinct

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

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.

Komodo Dragon

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

Rhizocarpon oederi is a crustose lichen historically recorded on siliceous rocks across parts of Europe and North America. It is now classified as Extinct (EX) on the IUCN Red List, representing one of the few lichen species confirmed to have been lost. Its disappearance is attributed to habitat destruction, air pollution, and the very specific microhabitat requirements that made it vulnerable.