Éléphant de savane vs ophioglosse des Açores

Loxodonta africana compared with Ophioglossum azoricum

Key Differences

Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while ophioglosse des Açores is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	ophioglosse des Açores
Kingdom	Animalia (animal)	Plantae (plante)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Tracheophyta
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Polypodiopsida (Filicopsida)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Ophioglossales (Ophioglossales)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Ophioglossaceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Ophioglossum
Species	Loxodonta africana	Ophioglossum azoricum

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

ophioglosse des Açores

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	ophioglosse des Açores
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.

ophioglosse des Açores

Habitat

Inhabits boreal forests and taiga within the Palearctic biogeographic realm. Populations are also found in montane and highland environments at higher elevations.

Range

Distributed across Belgium, Iceland, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden. Currently classified as Critically Endangered 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.