Éléphant de savane vs Barbion de Makawa

Loxodonta africana compared with Pogoniulus makawai

Key Differences

• Éléphant de savane is Vulnerable while Barbion de Makawa is Data Deficient.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	Éléphant de savane	Barbion de Makawa
Kingdom same	Animalia (animal)	Animalia (animal)
Phylum same	Chordata (Chordates)	Chordata (Chordates)
Class	Mammalia (mammifères)	Aves (oiseau)
Order	Proboscidea (Elephants)	Piciformes (Piciformes)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Lybiidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Pogoniulus
Species	Loxodonta africana	Pogoniulus makawai

Evolutionary Relationship

Éléphant de savane and Barbion de Makawa share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (Chordates)

Conservation Status

Éléphant de savane

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Barbion de Makawa

DD — Data Deficient

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	Éléphant de savane	Barbion de Makawa
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.

Barbion de Makawa

Habitat

Typically found in various aerial, terrestrial, and aquatic environments.

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.