Elephants are magnificent animals, representing the largest land mammals on Earth. Their imposing presence has long captivated human interest. Many people wonder which species stands as the biggest, a question that explores elephant species and their distinct characteristics.
The Reigning Giant: African Bush Elephant
The largest living land animal is the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), also known as the African savanna elephant. This species inhabits diverse environments across sub-Saharan Africa, including savannas, grasslands, and woodlands. Their robust build and expansive ears are distinguishing features.
African bush elephants are highly social, typically living in matriarchal herds. These family units consist of adult females and their offspring, led by the oldest female. Adult males, or bulls, usually live alone or in smaller bachelor groups, associating with female herds during mating periods.
Unpacking Its Immense Size
The African bush elephant’s size is truly remarkable, with specific measurements highlighting its status as the largest land animal. Adult males, known as bulls, typically stand between 3.04 and 3.36 meters (10.0–11.0 feet) tall at the shoulder. Females are slightly smaller, averaging 2.47 to 2.73 meters (8.1–8.9 feet) in height.
In terms of weight, mature male African bush elephants generally range from 5,200 to 6,900 kilograms (11,500–15,200 pounds), while females weigh between 2,600 and 3,500 kilograms (5,700–7,700 pounds). The heaviest recorded individual was a bull from Angola, weighing 10,400 kilograms (22,900 pounds) and standing 3.96 meters (13.0 feet) at the shoulder. Body length, from trunk base to tail, can extend from 3 to 5 meters (10 to 16.5 feet).
Their substantial tusks, present in both sexes, are elongated incisor teeth composed of dentin that grow throughout an elephant’s life. The longest recorded tusk measured 3.51 meters (11.5 feet) and weighed 117 kilograms (258 pounds). The trunk, a versatile appendage, can weigh up to 140 kilograms (300 pounds) and contains an intricate network of over 40,000 muscles, enabling it to lift considerable weight while also performing delicate tasks.
Other Elephant Species Compared
The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), also native to Africa, is smaller than its bush counterpart. Forest elephants typically inhabit humid tropical forests, with a shoulder height ranging from 2.09 to 2.31 meters (6.9–7.6 feet) and weighing between 1,700 and 2,300 kilograms (3,700–5,100 pounds). They possess straighter, downward-pointing tusks, adapted for navigating dense forest undergrowth.
The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the third living elephant species, found across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. While the largest land animal in Asia, it is smaller than the African bush elephant. Adult male Asian elephants average around 2.75 meters (9.0 feet) tall at the shoulder and weigh about 4,000 kilograms (8,800 pounds). Unlike African elephants, Asian elephants have smaller, more rounded ears and a single finger-like projection at the tip of their trunk.