Varanus komodoensis
The largest living lizard, native to a small group of islands in East Nusa Tenggara. Explore its links with prey, dry habitats, and island-specific conservation.
PANDUANHEWAN · INDONESIA
Komodo dragon vs Asian water monitor: the differences
How do the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.
The Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) and the Asian water monitor (Varanus salvator) are different species in the same genus, Varanus. Range in Indonesia — the Komodo dragon: East Nusa Tenggara: Flores and nearby islands; the Asian water monitor: Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan and parts of Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara; varies by subspecies.
Varanus salvator
A large semi-aquatic lizard living near rivers, swamps, mangroves and some human-used areas. As both predator and scavenger, it connects aquatic and terrestrial food webs.
Komodo dragon and Asian water monitor compared
| Aspect | Komodo dragon | Asian water monitor |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Varanus komodoensis | Varanus salvator |
| Indonesian name | Komodo | Biawak air |
| Class | Reptilia | Reptilia |
| Order | Squamata | Squamata |
| Family | Varanidae | Varanidae |
| Range in Indonesia | East Nusa Tenggara: Flores and nearby islands | Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan and parts of Sulawesi and Nusa Tenggara; varies by subspecies |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | No |
| Key features | Forked tongue for sensing scent | — |
| Size | Largest verified size: 3.13 m long and 166 kg | Body length: Can reach 3 m, but most adults are at most about 1.5 m |
| Diet | Predator and scavenger | Small animals and carrion |
| Diet type | carnivore (meat-eater) | carnivore (meat-eater) |
| Reproduction | laying eggs (oviparous) | laying eggs (oviparous) |
| IUCN status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | — |
Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page; an empty cell means the data is not yet available, not that it is absent.
How to tell them apart
- Komodo dragon: Forked tongue for sensing scent.
Telling animals apart never replaces keeping your distance. Do not approach, catch or handle wild animals; if bitten, go to a health facility immediately.
Sources
- Komodo Survival Program — Conservation status ↗
- IUCN — Komodo dragon assessment update, 2021 ↗
- Smithsonian’s National Zoo — Komodo dragon ↗
- Komodo Survival Program — Population monitoring ↗
- Indonesia Travel — Tips for visiting Komodo dragons ↗
- Peraturan Menteri LHK Nomor P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi ↗
- Animal Diversity Web ↗
- Reptile Database ↗
- Fry et al. 2009, A central role for venom in predation by Varanus komodoensis (Komodo Dragon) and the extinct giant Varanus (Megalania) priscus (PNAS) ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- Animal Diversity Web — Varanus salvator: biology ↗
- The Reptile Database — Varanus salvator and subspecies ↗
- Sarawak Forest Department — water monitor habitat ↗
- Singapore AVS — monitor lizards and encounters ↗
- Shine et al. (1996) — southern Sumatra harvest study, author repository abstract ↗
- GBIF — what occurrence records document ↗
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