Komodo Dragon vs Smallthorn skate

Varanus komodoensis compared with Bathyraja minispinosa

Key Differences

• Komodo Dragon is Endangered while Smallthorn skate is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Smallthorn skate
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (cordados)	Chordata (cordados)
Class	Reptilia (reptil)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Squamata (Lizards & Snakes)	Rajiformes (Rajiformes)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Arhynchobatidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Bathyraja
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Bathyraja minispinosa

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Smallthorn skate

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Smallthorn skate
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.

Smallthorn skate

Komodo Dragon

El dragón de Komodo es el lagarto viviente más grande. Se encuentra únicamente en unas pocas islas indonesias.