Éléphant de savane vs Caucasian Mole

Loxodonta africana compared with Talpa caucasica

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Caucasian Mole is Least Concern.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Caucasian Mole
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 caucasica

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Caucasian Mole share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (mammifères)

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Caucasian Mole

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Caucasian Mole
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.

Caucasian Mole

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.

Caucasian Mole

The Caucasian Mole (Talpa caucasica) 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.