Komodo Dragon vs Raja

Varanus komodoensis compared with Potamotrygon brachyura

Key Differences

Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Raja is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Raja
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (cordados)	Chordata (cordados)
Class	Reptilia (reptil)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Potamotrygonidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Potamotrygon
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Potamotrygon brachyura

Evolutionary Relationship

Komodo Dragon and Raja share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (cordados)

Vista Phylum: Chordata

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Raja

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Raja
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.