Afrikanischer Elefant vs Gemeine Nachtkerze

Loxodonta africana compared with Oenothera biennis

Key Differences

• Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Gemeine Nachtkerze is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Gemeine Nachtkerze
Kingdom	Animalia (Tier)	Plantae (Pflanzen)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Myrtales (Myrtenartige)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Onagraceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Oenothera
Species	Loxodonta africana	Oenothera biennis

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Gemeine Nachtkerze

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Gemeine Nachtkerze
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.

Gemeine Nachtkerze

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, and temperate coniferous forests, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Indomalayan and Palearctic realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Eswatini, South Africa), Asia (13 countries), Europe (35 countries), North America (Canada, United States), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia), and South America (Brazil, Chile).

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.

Gemeine Nachtkerze

The Candlestick (Oenothera biennis) is a species in the genus Oenothera. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, and temperate coniferous forests, among 7 distinct biome types spanning the Indomalayan and Palearctic re