Éléphant de savane vs Platane d'Orient

Loxodonta africana compared with Platanus orientalis

Key Differences

Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Platane d'Orient is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Platane d'Orient
Kingdom	Animalia (animal)	Plantae (plante)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Magnoliopsida (Dicots)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Proteales (Proteales)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Platanaceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Platanus
Species	Loxodonta africana	Platanus orientalis

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Platane d'Orient

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Platane d'Orient
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.

Platane d'Orient

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including flooded grasslands and savannas, Mediterranean forests and woodlands, and deserts and xeric shrublands within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Widely distributed across Africa (Libya), Asia (India), Europe (10 countries), and South America (Brazil).

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.