African elephant vs Atlantic Surf Clam

Loxodonta africana compared with Spisula solidissima

Key Differences

• African elephant is Vulnerable while Atlantic Surf Clam is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	African elephant	Atlantic Surf Clam
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Mollusca (Mollusks)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Bivalvia (Bivalvia)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Venerida (Venerida)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Mactridae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Spisula
Species	Loxodonta africana	Spisula solidissima

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Atlantic Surf Clam share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Animals)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Atlantic Surf Clam

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	African elephant	Atlantic Surf Clam
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Afrotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

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

Atlantic Surf Clam

Habitat

Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Found across Asia (Taiwan) and Europe (5 countries).

African elephant

The largest land animal on Earth, African elephants can reach 7,000 kg and inhabit sub-Saharan savannas, forests, and wetlands. Highly intelligent with complex social structures led by matriarchs, they communicate through infrasound, rumbles, and touch. As ecosystem engineers, they shape habitats by uprooting trees, digging waterholes, and dispersing seeds. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to ivory poaching and habitat loss.

Atlantic Surf Clam

The Atlantic Surf Clam (Spisula solidissima) is a species in the genus Spisula. Native to Asia and Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.