Afrikanischer Elefant vs Baltische Meerassel

Loxodonta africana compared with Idotea balthica

Key Differences

• Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Baltische Meerassel is Not Evaluated.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Baltische Meerassel
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Arthropoda (Gliederfüßer)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Malacostraca (Höhere Krebse)
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Isopoda (Asseln)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Idoteidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Idotea
Species	Loxodonta africana	Idotea balthica

Evolutionary Relationship

Afrikanischer Elefant and Baltische Meerassel share a common ancestor at the Kingdom level: Animalia. (Tier)

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Baltische Meerassel

NE — Not Evaluated

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Baltische Meerassel
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Afrikanischer Elefant

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.

Baltische Meerassel

Habitat

Typically found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden.

Afrikanischer Elefant

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.

Baltische Meerassel

The Baltic Isopod (Idotea balthica) is a species in the genus Idotea. Typically found in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Like other members of its genus, this species plays a role in its native ecosystem.