African elephant

Loxodonta africana

Vulnerable ↓

Diet

Herbivore

Lifespan

65 years

Length

6.0 m

Weight

6.0 t

Population

415.0K

Trend

↓ Decreasing

About

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.

Fun Facts

✨ Elephants are the only animals that can't jump.
✨ They can communicate using infrasound over distances of several kilometers.
✨ An elephant's trunk has over 40,000 muscles.

Habitat & Distribution

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.

🌲 Forest 🌾 Savanna 🌿 Grassland

Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

🇰🇪 Kenya

Diet & Behavior

🌿

Herbivore

African elephant is classified as herbivore, adapted to its ecological niche.

Diet

🌿 Herbivore

Plant matter 100%

Conservation Status

VU Vulnerable

Estimated Population

415.0K

Population Trend

↓ Decreasing

Full Taxonomy

Proboscidea (Elephants)

Family

Elephantidae (Elephants)

Genus

Loxodonta (African Elephants)

Species

Loxodonta africana (African elephant)

Names in Other Languages

Spanish Elefante de Sabana

French Éléphant de savane

German Afrikanischer Elefant

Similar Species in Loxodonta

African forest elephant

Loxodonta cyclotis

Critically Endangered

View all species in Loxodonta →

Explore More

Compare Species

vs African forest elephant

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of African elephant?

The scientific name of African elephant is Loxodonta africana. It belongs to the genus Loxodonta.

What is the conservation status of African elephant?

African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN Red List. The population trend is decreasing.

Where does African elephant live?

African elephant is found in Found in Kenya. Currently classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.. Countries include Kenya.

What family does African elephant belong to?

African elephant (Loxodonta africana) belongs to the genus Loxodonta, which is part of the taxonomic family Elephantidae.

What does African elephant eat?

African elephant is herbivore. Its diet is adapted to its natural habitat and ecological niche.

How long does African elephant live?

African elephant has an average lifespan of approximately 65 years in the wild.

How many African elephant are left in the wild?

The estimated wild population of African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is approximately 415,000 individuals.

Is African elephant endangered?

Yes, African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, which means it faces a significant risk of extinction in the wild.