Éléphant de savane vs Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces

Loxodonta africana compared with Elaphomyces anthracinus

Key Differences

Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces
Kingdom	Animalia (animal)	Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum	Chordata (Chordates)	Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Eurotiomycetes (Eurotiomycetes)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Eurotiales (Eurotiales)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Elaphomycetaceae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Elaphomyces
Species	Loxodonta africana	Elaphomyces anthracinus

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces
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.

Smooth-Coated Elaphomyces

Habitat

Native to Europe, inhabiting ecosystems characteristic of the region.

Range

Distributed across Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

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.