Living BeingsCompare species
Blanford’s Fox
Vulpes cana
African Savanna Elephant
Loxodonta africana
Evidence from the profiles
Compare their characteristics
| Trait | Blanford’s Fox | African Savanna Elephant |
|---|---|---|
| Physical traits | Large ears and a long, bushy tail accompany a small, lightly built body. | 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 | Rocky slopes, cliffs and canyons provide cover and movement routes. | 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 | Insects and fruits are important foods, with the exact combination depending on local resources. | Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth. |
| Behavior and activity | It commonly forages alone at night. The rough landscape provides sheltered resting places and access to dispersed foods. | 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 Afghanistan, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Uzbekistan?. | 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.