Komodo Dragon vs Variable Chafer

Varanus komodoensis compared with Gnorimus variabilis

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Variable Chafer is Extinct.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Variable Chafer
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Arthropoda (Arthropods)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Insecta (Insects)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Coleoptera (Beetles)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Scarabaeidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Gnorimus
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Gnorimus variabilis

Evolutionary Relationship

Komodo Dragon and Variable Chafer share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Variable Chafer

EX — Extinct

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Variable Chafer
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.

Variable Chafer

Habitat

Typically found in virtually all terrestrial and freshwater habitats.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland.

Komodo Dragon

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