Komodo Dragon vs Smooth Shadow Lichen

Varanus komodoensis compared with Phaeophyscia ciliata

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Smooth Shadow Lichen is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Smooth Shadow Lichen
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Lecanoromycetes (Lecanoromycetes)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Caliciales (Caliciales)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Physciaceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Phaeophyscia
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Phaeophyscia ciliata

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Smooth Shadow Lichen

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Smooth Shadow Lichen
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.

Smooth Shadow Lichen

Habitat

Native to Europe and North America, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

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

Komodo Dragon

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