Éléphant de savane vs Masca du Cap

Loxodonta africana compared with Callorhinchus capensis

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Masca du Cap is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Masca du Cap
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Holocephali (Holocephali)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Chimaeriformes (Chimaeriformes)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Callorhinchidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Callorhinchus
Species	Loxodonta africana	Callorhinchus capensis

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Masca du Cap share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Masca du Cap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Masca du Cap
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.

Masca du Cap

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.

Masca du Cap

The Cape elephantfish (Callorhinchus capensis) is a species in the genus Callorhinchus. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.