Afrikanischer Elefant vs Tiger

Loxodonta africana compared with Panthera tigris

Key Differences

  • Afrikanischer Elefant is Vulnerable while Tiger is Endangered.
  • Afrikanischer Elefant is herbivore while Tiger is carnivore.
  • Afrikanischer Elefant is 27.3x heavier than Tiger.
  • Afrikanischer Elefant lives longer (65 years vs 20 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Afrikanischer Elefant Tiger
Kingdom same Animalia (Tier) Animalia (Tier)
Phylum same Chordata (Chordatiere) Chordata (Chordatiere)
Class same Mammalia (Säugetiere) Mammalia (Säugetiere)
Order Proboscidea (Rüsseltiere) Carnivora (Raubtiere)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Felidae (Cats)
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Panthera (Big Cats)
Species Loxodonta africana Panthera tigris

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Afrikanischer Elefant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Tiger

EN — Endangered

Population: ~4.5K

Trend: Increasing ↑

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Afrikanischer Elefant Tiger
Diet Herbivore Carnivore
Average Lifespan 65 years 20 years
Average Length 6.0 m 3.0 m
Average Weight 6.0 t 220.0 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.

Tiger

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and tropical and subtropical grasslands and savannas, among 6 distinct biome types spanning the Neotropic and Oceanian realms. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Colombia and Ecuador. 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.

Tiger

The largest wild cat on Earth, tigers can exceed 300 kg and inhabit forests from the Russian Far East to Southeast Asia. Solitary ambush predators with distinctive orange and black striped coats that provide camouflage in dappled light. Critically endangered, with fewer than 4,000 remaining in the wild due to poaching and deforestation.

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