Komodo Dragon vs Middelburg Cycad

Varanus komodoensis compared with Encephalartos middelburgensis

Key Differences

Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Middelburg Cycad is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Middelburg Cycad
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (planta)
Phylum	Chordata (cordados)	Tracheophyta
Class	Reptilia (reptil)	Cycadopsida (Cycadatae)
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Cycadales (Cycadidae)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Zamiaceae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Encephalartos
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Encephalartos middelburgensis

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Middelburg Cycad

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Middelburg Cycad
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.