Afrikanischer Elefant vs Schimpanse

Loxodonta africana compared with Pan troglodytes

Key Differences

• Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Schimpanse is Endangered.
• Afrikanischer Elefant is herbivore while Schimpanse is omnivore.
• Afrikanischer Elefant is 120.0x heavier than Schimpanse.
• Afrikanischer Elefant lives longer (65 years vs 45 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Schimpanse
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Primates (Primaten)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Hominidae (Great Apes)
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Pan (Chimpanzees)
Species	Loxodonta africana	Pan troglodytes

Evolutionary Relationship

Afrikanischer Elefant and Schimpanse share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (Säugetiere)

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Schimpanse

EN — Endangered

Population: ~300.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Schimpanse
Diet	Herbivore	Omnivore
Average Lifespan	65 years	45 years
Average Length	6.0 m	1.2 m
Average Weight	6.0 t	50.0 kg

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.

Schimpanse

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

Distributed across Cameroon, Congo (DRC), Guinea, Tanzania, and Uganda. Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Schimpanse

Humanity's closest living relative, sharing approximately 98.7% of DNA, chimpanzees inhabit tropical forests and savanna woodlands across central and West Africa. Highly intelligent, social primates that use and make tools, display cultural traditions, and communicate with rich vocalizations including the distinctive pant-hoot. Endangered, with populations declining due to deforestation, bushmeat hunting, and disease transmission from humans.