Komodo Dragon vs Western highfin spurdog

Varanus komodoensis compared with Squalus altipinnis

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Western highfin spurdog is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Western highfin spurdog
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Reptilia (Reptiles)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Squaliformes (Squaliformes)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Squalidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Squalus
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Squalus altipinnis

Evolutionary Relationship

Komodo Dragon and Western highfin spurdog share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Western highfin spurdog

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Western highfin spurdog
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.

Western highfin spurdog

Komodo Dragon

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