Komodo Dragon vs Sharp-Scaly Pholiota

Varanus komodoensis compared with Pholiota squarrosoides

Key Differences

Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Sharp-Scaly Pholiota is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Sharp-Scaly Pholiota
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Strophariaceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Pholiota
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Pholiota squarrosoides

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Sharp-Scaly Pholiota

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Sharp-Scaly Pholiota
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.

Sharp-Scaly Pholiota

Habitat

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

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and United States. Currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.