African elephant vs Common Raven

Loxodonta africana compared with Corvus corax

Key Differences

• African elephant is Vulnerable while Common Raven is Not Evaluated.
• African elephant is herbivore while Common Raven is omnivore.
• African elephant is 5000.0x heavier than Common Raven.
• African elephant lives longer (65 years vs 15 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	African elephant	Common Raven
Kingdom same	Animalia (Animals)	Animalia (Animals)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (Mammals)	Aves (Birds)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Passeriformes (Songbirds)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Corvidae (Crows & Ravens)
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Corvus (Crows & Ravens)
Species	Loxodonta africana	Corvus corax

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Common Raven share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Common Raven

NE — Not Evaluated

Population: ~16.0M

Trend: Increasing ↑

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	African elephant	Common Raven
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	65 years	15 years
Average Length	6.0 m	60 cm
Average Weight	6.0 t	1.2 kg

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.

Common Raven

Habitat

Typically found in a wide range of habitat types.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries) and North America (United States).

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.

Common Raven

One of the most intelligent birds known, common ravens demonstrate problem-solving abilities rivaling great apes, including tool use, planning, and deceptive behavior. Found across the Northern Hemisphere from Arctic tundra to deserts, ravens are highly adaptable omnivores. They form complex social hierarchies, engage in cooperative foraging, and have been observed engaging in play. Their intelligence and black plumage have made them figures of mythology across many cultures.