African elephant vs Филин

Loxodonta africana compared with Bubo bubo

Key Differences

  • African elephant is Vulnerable while Филин is Endangered.
  • African elephant is herbivore while Филин is carnivore.
  • African elephant is 2000.0x heavier than Филин.
  • African elephant lives longer (65 years vs 20 years).

Taxonomic Classification

Rank African elephant Филин
Kingdom same Animalia (животные) Animalia (животные)
Phylum same Chordata (хордовые) Chordata (хордовые)
Class Mammalia (млекопитающие) Aves (птицы)
Order Proboscidea (хоботные) Strigiformes (совообразные)
Family Elephantidae (Elephants) Strigidae (True Owls)
Genus Loxodonta (African Elephants) Bubo (Eagle Owls)
Species Loxodonta africana Bubo bubo

Evolutionary Relationship

African elephant and Филин share a common ancestor at the Phylum level: Chordata. (хордовые)

Conservation Status

African elephant

VU — Vulnerable

Population: ~415.0K

Trend: Decreasing ↓

Филин

EN — Endangered

Population: ~400.0K

Trend: Stable →

Physical Characteristics

Attribute African elephant Филин
Diet Herbivore Carnivore
Average Lifespan 65 years 20 years
Average Length 6.0 m 70 cm
Average Weight 6.0 t 3.0 kg

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.

Филин

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

Found across Europe (9 countries) and South America (Ecuador). Currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, this species faces significant conservation challenges across its range.

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.

Филин

The world's largest owl species by height and weight, Eurasian eagle-owls have wingspans up to 1.9 meters and inhabit rocky landscapes, forest edges, and cliffs from Europe across Asia to China. Silent nocturnal hunters with powerful talons, they prey on rabbits, hares, foxes, and even other raptors. Their deep, resonant hooting carries over great distances. Relatively stable in population, though persecuted historically.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia