Komodo Dragon vs Southern Giant Salamander

Varanus komodoensis compared with Isthmura maxima

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Komodo Dragon	Southern Giant Salamander
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (cordados)	Chordata (cordados)
Class	Reptilia (réptil)	Amphibia (Anfíbios)
Order	Squamata (Escamados)	Caudata (caudados)
Family	Varanidae (Monitor Lizards)	Plethodontidae
Genus	Varanus (Monitor Lizards)	Isthmura
Species	Varanus komodoensis	Isthmura maxima

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Komodo Dragon

EN — Endangered

Population: ~3.5K

Trend: Stable →

Southern Giant Salamander

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Komodo Dragon	Southern Giant Salamander
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.

Southern Giant Salamander

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

Range

Found in Mexico. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

Komodo Dragon

O dragão-de-komodo é o maior lagarto vivo. É encontrado apenas em algumas ilhas indonésias.