Afrikanischer Elefant vs Gemeiner Stechrochen

Loxodonta africana compared with Potamotrygon motoro

Key Differences

• Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Gemeiner Stechrochen is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Gemeiner Stechrochen
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Myliobatiformes (Stechrochenartige)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Potamotrygonidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Potamotrygon
Species	Loxodonta africana	Potamotrygon motoro

Evolutionary Relationship

Afrikanischer Elefant and Gemeiner Stechrochen share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordatiere)

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Gemeiner Stechrochen

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Gemeiner Stechrochen
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.

Gemeiner Stechrochen

Habitat

Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests within the Indomalayan biogeographic realm.

Range

Distributed across Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Singapore, and Venezuela.

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.

Gemeiner Stechrochen

The Black river stingray (Potamotrygon motoro) is a species in the genus Potamotrygon. It is currently classified as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests within the Indomalayan biogeographic realm.