Living Beings
    Source-identified Loxodonta africana; Documentary organism photograph; source identification retained. Framed for display
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    African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), Masai Mara.jpg · Resized and converted to WebP for display. Documentary organism photograph; source identification retained. Hobbyfotowiki · CC0

    Field guide · species

    African Savanna Elephant

    Loxodonta africana

    AnimaliaMammaliaProboscideaElephantidae

    The African savanna elephant is a large, social herbivore whose trunk serves as a nose, a drinking tool and a remarkably precise grasping organ. It is distinct from the African forest elephant.

    Public research profile · final editorial review pending.

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    Tree of lifeScientific lineage
    1. LifeLife
    2. DomainEukaryota
    3. KingdomAnimalia
    4. PhylumChordata
    5. ClassMammalia
    6. OrderProboscidea
    7. FamilyElephantidae
    8. GenusLoxodonta
    9. SpeciesLoxodonta africana
    Advanced classification

    Complete source lineage, including intermediate ranks. The standard view uses Life and the eight principal ranks.

    1. cellular organisms cellular root
    2. Eukaryota domain
    3. Opisthokonta clade
    4. Metazoa kingdom
    5. Eumetazoa clade
    6. Bilateria clade
    7. Deuterostomia clade
    8. Chordata phylum
    9. Craniata subphylum
    10. Vertebrata clade
    11. Gnathostomata clade
    12. Teleostomi clade
    13. Euteleostomi clade
    14. Sarcopterygii superclass
    15. Dipnotetrapodomorpha clade
    16. Tetrapoda clade
    17. Amniota clade
    18. Mammalia class
    19. Theria clade
    20. Eutheria clade
    21. Afrotheria superorder
    22. Proboscidea order
    23. Elephantidae family
    24. Loxodonta genus
    25. Loxodonta africana species
    Open in taxonomy explorer ↗

    Physical traits

    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.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Habitat and range

    Savannas and open woodland provide a shifting mixture of browse, grass, shade and drinking water. Seasonal water availability influences the places that herds use.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Diet and nutrition

    Grasses, leaves, bark and other plant material make up its diet. The trunk gathers food and moves it to the mouth.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Behavior and activity

    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.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Reproduction and life cycle

    Calves are born alive and depend on milk and extended social care. Learning from other elephants is an important part of growing up.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Geographic distribution

    Native to sub-Saharan Africa. This account follows the savanna-elephant species concept rather than treating all African elephants as one species.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Ecological role

    Feeding and movement alter vegetation, and dung transfers seeds and nutrients. Habitat fragmentation and killing for ivory threaten populations.

    Scientific source 1 ↗ · Scientific source 2 ↗

    Evidence

    Sources

    Connected life

    No reviewed ecological connections in the collection yet.

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