Éléphant de savane vs Black Caecilian

Loxodonta africana compared with Ichthyophis monochrous

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Black Caecilian is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Black Caecilian
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Amphibia (amphibien)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Gymnophiona (Caecilian)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Ichthyophiidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Ichthyophis
Species	Loxodonta africana	Ichthyophis monochrous

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Black Caecilian share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Black Caecilian

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Black Caecilian
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.

Black Caecilian

Habitat

Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.

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.

Black Caecilian

The Black Caecilian (Ichthyophis monochrous) is a species in the genus Ichthyophis. Its conservation status is listed as Data Deficient, indicating insufficient data for assessment. Typically found in freshwater habitats, moist forests, and wetlands.