African elephant vs
Loxodonta africana compared with Calothrix parasitica
Key Differences
- African elephant is Vulnerable while is Not Evaluated.
Taxonomic Classification
| Rank | African elephant | |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia (Animals) | Bacteria (Bacteria) |
| Phylum | Chordata (Chordates) | Cyanobacteria (Cyanobacteria) |
| Class | Mammalia (Mammals) | Cyanobacteriia |
| Order | Proboscidea (Elephants) | Cyanobacteriales |
| Family | Elephantidae (Elephants) | Nostocaceae |
| Genus | Loxodonta (African Elephants) | Calothrix |
| Species | Loxodonta africana | Calothrix parasitica |
Conservation Status
African elephant
VU — VulnerablePopulation: ~415.0K
Trend: Decreasing ↓
Physical Characteristics
| Attribute | African elephant | |
|---|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore | — |
| Average Lifespan | 65 years | — |
| Average Length | 6.0 m | — |
| Average Weight | 6.0 t | — |
Habitat & Geographic Range
African elephant
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.
Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.
Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.
Found in Sweden.
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.
Calothrix parasitica is a heterocystous cyanobacterium in the family Rivulariaceae, characterized by tapering filaments with a basal heterocyst for nitrogen fixation. It grows epiphytically on other algae, macrophytes, or in biofilms on rocky substrates in freshwater and marine environments. The genus Calothrix is widespread in aquatic and terrestrial habitats where it plays a role in nitrogen input to ecosystems.
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