Éléphant de savane vs Girafe

Loxodonta africana compared with Giraffa camelopardalis

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is 5.0x heavier than Girafe.
• Éléphant de savane lives longer (65 years vs 25 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Girafe
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class same	Mammalia (mammifères)	Mammalia (mammifères)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Artiodactyla (Even-toed Ungulates)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Giraffidae (Giraffes)
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Giraffa (Giraffes)
Species	Loxodonta africana	Giraffa camelopardalis

Evolutionary Relationship

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

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Girafe

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~117.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Girafe
Diet	Herbivore	Herbivore
Average Lifespan	65 years	25 years
Average Length	6.0 m	5.5 m
Average Weight	6.0 t	1.2 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.

Girafe

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical moist broadleaf forests, tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, and flooded grasslands and savannas, among 5 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Found in Ecuador. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Girafe

The tallest living animal on Earth, giraffes can reach 5.5 meters in height and weigh up to 1,750 kg. Their elongated necks — containing the same seven cervical vertebrae as all mammals — evolved for feeding on acacia trees in African savannas and woodlands. Social animals living in loose herds with no permanent bonds, giraffes communicate through infrasound and body language. Vulnerable, with populations declining due to habitat loss and poaching.