Komodo Dragon vs Robust Golden Mole

Varanus komodoensis compared with Amblysomus robustus

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Robust Golden Mole is Vulnerable.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Robust Golden Mole
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Mammalia (Mammals)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Afrosoricida (Afrosoricida)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Chrysochloridae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Amblysomus
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Amblysomus robustus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Robust Golden Mole

VU — Vulnerable

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Robust Golden Mole
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.

Robust Golden Mole

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Komodo Dragon

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