Éléphant de savane vs Harfang des neiges

Loxodonta africana compared with Bubo scandiacus

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Harfang des neiges is Critically Endangered.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Harfang des neiges
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Aves (oiseau)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Strigiformes (Owls)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Strigidae (True Owls)
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Bubo (Eagle Owls)
Species	Loxodonta africana	Bubo scandiacus

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Harfang des neiges share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Harfang des neiges

CR — Critically Endangered

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Harfang des neiges
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.

Harfang des neiges

Habitat

Found across multiple habitat types including tropical and subtropical dry broadleaf forests, flooded grasslands and savannas, and montane grasslands and shrublands, among 4 distinct biome types within the Neotropic biogeographic realm.

Range

Widely distributed across Europe (4 countries), North America (United States), and South America (Ecuador). 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.

Harfang des neiges

Snowy Owl (Bubo scandiacus) is classified as Critically Endangered (CR) on the IUCN Red List. Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild due to severe population decline and habitat loss.