African elephant vs Blyde River Cycad

Loxodonta africana compared with Encephalartos cupidus

Key Differences

African elephant is Vulnerable while Blyde River Cycad is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	African elephant	Blyde River Cycad
Kingdom	Animalia (Animals)	Plantae (Plants)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Cycadopsida (Cycadopsida)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Cycadales (Cycadales)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Zamiaceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Encephalartos
Species	Loxodonta africana	Encephalartos cupidus

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Blyde River Cycad

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	African elephant	Blyde River Cycad
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.

Blyde River Cycad

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.

Blyde River Cycad

The Blyde River Cycad (Encephalartos cupidus) is a species in the genus Encephalartos. It is currently classified as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.