Living BeingsCompare species
African Wild Dog
Lycaon pictus
African Savanna Elephant
Loxodonta africana
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | African Wild Dog | African Savanna Elephant |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Large rounded ears and irregular dark, pale and tawny patches distinguish individuals. | Broad ears, a long trunk and column-like legs give the animal its familiar outline. The trunk tip has two finger-like projections. Both sexes can develop tusks. |
| Habitat and range | Savannas and other suitable landscapes must provide prey, den sites and room for pack movements. | Savannas and open woodland provide a shifting mixture of browse, grass, shade and drinking water. Seasonal water availability influences the places that herds use. |
| Diet and nutrition | Ungulates are important prey, with hunting organized through cooperation among pack members. | Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth. |
| Behavior and activity | Social packs share roles in hunting and rearing pups. A denning pack has different movement constraints from one traveling without dependent young. | Female relatives and their young form long-lasting social groups. Older females hold knowledge of familiar routes and resources; adult males have a different pattern of association. |
| Reproduction and life cycle | Data unavailable | Calves are born alive and depend on milk and extended social care. Learning from other elephants is an important part of growing up. |
| Geographic distribution | The Mammal Diversity Database v2.5 records this species in Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Senegal, South Africa, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Algeria?, Cote d'Ivoire?, Democratic Republic of the Congo?, Guinea?, Guinea-Bissau?, Mali?, Nigeria?, Togo?, Uganda?. | Native to sub-Saharan Africa. This account follows the savanna-elephant species concept rather than treating all African elephants as one species. |
| Ecological role | Data unavailable | Feeding and movement alter vegetation, and dung transfers seeds and nutrients. Habitat fragmentation and killing for ivory threaten populations. |
Classification
Shared ancestry
Closest shared taxon: Eutheria.