Éléphant de savane vs Taupe des Balkans

Loxodonta africana compared with Talpa stankovici

Key Differences

Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Taupe des Balkans is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Taupe des Balkans
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Soricomorpha (Soricomorpha)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Talpidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Talpa
Species	Loxodonta africana	Talpa stankovici

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Taupe des Balkans share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Afficher Class: Mammalia

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Taupe des Balkans

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Taupe des Balkans
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

Éléphant de savane

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.

Taupe des Balkans

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Éléphant de savane

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.

Taupe des Balkans

The Balkan Mole (Talpa stankovici) is a species in the genus Talpa. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Like other members of its genus, this species plays a role in its native ecosystem.