Éléphant de savane vs Chinese stingray

Loxodonta africana compared with Hemitrygon sinensis

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Chinese stingray is Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Chinese stingray
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Elasmobranchii
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Myliobatiformes (Myliobatiformes)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Dasyatidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Hemitrygon
Species	Loxodonta africana	Hemitrygon sinensis

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Chinese stingray

EN — Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Chinese stingray
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.

Chinese stingray

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.

Chinese stingray

The Chinese Stingray (Hemitrygon sinensis) is a species in the genus Hemitrygon. It is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.