African elephant vs Obyknovennaja Poljovka

Loxodonta africana compared with Microtus arvalis

Key Differences

• African elephant is Vulnerable while Obyknovennaja Poljovka is Near Threatened.

Taxonomic Classification

Rank	African elephant	Obyknovennaja Poljovka
Kingdom same	Animalia (животные)	Animalia (животные)
Phylum same	Chordata (хордовые)	Chordata (хордовые)
Class same	Mammalia (млекопитающие)	Mammalia (млекопитающие)
Order	Proboscidea (хоботные)	Rodentia (грызуны)
Family	Elephantidae (Elephants)	Cricetidae
Genus	Loxodonta (African Elephants)	Microtus
Species	Loxodonta africana	Microtus arvalis

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Obyknovennaja Poljovka share a common ancestor at the Class level: Mammalia. (млекопитающие)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Obyknovennaja Poljovka

NT — Near Threatened

Physical Characteristics

Attribute	African elephant	Obyknovennaja Poljovka
Diet	Herbivore	—
Average Lifespan	65 years	—
Average Length	6.0 m	—
Average Weight	6.0 t	—

Habitat & Geographic Range

African elephant

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.

Obyknovennaja Poljovka

Habitat

Typically found in diverse terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (6 countries). Listed as Near Threatened, this species requires ongoing monitoring to prevent population decline.

African elephant

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.

Obyknovennaja Poljovka

common vole (Microtus arvalis) is classified as Near Threatened (NT) on the IUCN Red List. Close to qualifying as threatened, with populations that may become vulnerable without conservation action.