Savannah Elephant (Loxodonta africana) | Forest Elephant (L. cyclotis) | |||
Bull (male) | Cow (female) | Bull (male) | Cow (female) | |
Body Weight | 4,000-6,300 kg (8,818-13,889 lbs) | 2,400-3,500 kg (5,291-7,716 lb) | 2,700-6,000 kg (5,952-13,228 lb)* | 2,700-6,000 kg (5,952-13,228 lb)* |
Shoulder Height | 4 m (13 ft ) | 2.2 - 2.6 m (7.2-8.5 ft) | 2.4 – 2.8 m (8-9 ft) | 1.8 - 2.4 m (5.9-7.9 ft) |
* Size similar to that of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) |
Body shape
Head and facial features
Skeleton
Teeth
Skin
Feet
Glands
Internal Organs
Eyesight
Distinguishing features of savannah and forest elephants
Elephant trunks are used for lifting heavy objects, snorkeling in water, and communicating through touch.
A trunk can reach up to 6.5 feet in length and weigh as much as 440 pounds. These helpful appendages are formed by a fusion of the nose and upper lip. Eight muscles on either side give the animals great dexterity.
Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.
Chadwick (1992)
Eltringham (1991)
Estes (1990)
Fowler (1993)
Grubb & Groves (2000)
Heffner & Heffner (1980)
Mikota (1994)
Nowak (1999)
Shoshani (1992)
Vaughn et al. (2010)
West (2001)