Afrikanischer Elefant vs Chisos Red Oak

Loxodonta africana compared with Quercus gravesii

Key Differences

  • Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Chisos Red Oak is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Afrikanischer Elefant Chisos Red Oak
Kingdom Animalia (Tier) Plantae (Pflanzen)
Phylum Chordata (Chordatiere) Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class Mammalia (Säugetiere) Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere) Fagales (Buchenartige)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Fagaceae (Beech Family)
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Quercus (Oaks)
Species Loxodonta africana Quercus gravesii

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Chisos Red Oak

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Afrikanischer Elefant Chisos Red Oak
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.

Chisos Red Oak

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial habitats from tropical forests to temperate regions.

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.

Chisos Red Oak

The Chisos Red Oak (Quercus gravesii) is a medium-sized deciduous oak native to the mountain ranges of the Trans-Pecos region of Texas and extending into adjacent areas of northeastern Mexico, including the Sierra Madre Oriental foothills. It belongs to the red oak group (section Lobatae) within the family Fagaceae, characterised by leaves with lobes ending in bristle tips and acorns that take two seasons to ripen. Quercus gravesii typically grows on rocky slopes and canyon walls at mid to high elevations, forming part of diverse Madrean woodland and pinyon-juniper communities alongside other oaks, junipers, and conifers. Its foliage turns red and orange in autumn, providing a striking display in the typically muted desert mountain landscape. The species is an important component of its ecosystem, providing food and habitat for numerous birds and mammals; acorns are consumed by jays, woodpeckers, deer, and small rodents. Hypnotic hybridisation with related oak species is documented in areas of sympatry. The IUCN classifies Chisos Red Oak as Least Concern, with populations considered stable across its range. It is well represented within protected areas including Big Bend National Park and the Davis Mountains. Threats are limited but include drought stress exacerbated by climate change and browsing pressure from white-tailed deer.

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