Afrikanischer Elefant vs Rothirsch

Loxodonta africana compared with Cervus elaphus

Key Differences

• Afrikanischer Elefant is 25.0x heavier than Rothirsch.
• Afrikanischer Elefant lives longer (65 years vs 20 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Afrikanischer Elefant	Rothirsch
Kingdom same	Animalia (Tier)	Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordatiere)	Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same	Mammalia (Säugetiere)	Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order	Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere)	Artiodactyla (Paarhufer)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Cervidae (Deer)
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Cervus (True Deer)
Species	Loxodonta africana	Cervus elaphus

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Rothirsch

VU — Vulnerable

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Afrikanischer Elefant	Rothirsch
Diet	Herbivore	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	65 years	20 years
Average Length	6.0 m	2.1 m
Average Weight	6.0 t	240.0 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.

Rothirsch

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and temperate broadleaf and mixed forests, among 12 distinct biome types. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (South Africa), Asia (Afghanistan, Indonesia), Europe (11 countries), North America (Mexico), Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand), and South America (Argentina, Chile, Peru). Currently classified as Vulnerable 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.

Rothirsch

Also known as the red deer, elk are among the largest members of the deer family, with antlered males reaching up to 240 kg. Found across temperate forests and grasslands of Europe, Asia, and North America, where populations were historically separated as distinct subspecies. Males shed and regrow their antlers annually, engaging in dramatic roaring contests during autumn rut. An important game and conservation species across its range.