Do you know why it takes elephants so long to find their luggage at the airport? All their trunks look the same!

Alright, so that joke wasn’t the greatest, but it does emphasize the common misconception that all elephants are identical. While all elephants may share some notable similarities, there are actually two distinct types of elephants: African elephants and Asian elephants. Asian elephants, scientifically known as Elephas maximus, belong to a different genus compared to African elephants, which belong to the genus Loxodonta.

Based on their names, you’ve probably already deduced one of the main differences between these two types of elephants: their habitats. African elephants can be found in Africa, while Asian elephants are native to Asia. Consequently, these elephants don’t come across each other in the wild.

If you see these two types of elephants, it’s usually in pictures and they can appear very similar. However, if you saw them side by side in person, you would be able to identify a few distinct differences between them.

For instance, African elephants are generally much larger than Asian elephants. On average, African elephants outweigh their Asian counterparts by a ton or more! Estimating weight can be difficult, so experts first look at the size of an elephant’s ears.

African elephants have proportionally larger ears than Asian elephants. Some people think that the ears of African elephants are shaped somewhat like the continent of Africa. These larger ears help African elephants stay cooler in the African heat. On the other hand, Asian elephants tend to spend more time in cooler jungles, so their ears are typically smaller.

You can also observe a difference in the way the two types of elephants walk. African elephants appear to have their heads down when they walk because they have a sloped back that makes their shoulders the highest point. Meanwhile, Asian elephants have a flatter back and carry their heads higher than their backs and shoulders.

There are a few other minor differences that can also aid in distinguishing African and Asian elephants. In Asian elephants, only the males grow tusks (although not all of them do). In African elephants, both males and females usually (but not always) grow tusks.

African elephants also have a full, round head that consists of a single dome. In contrast, Asian elephants have heads that consist of two domes with an indentation in the middle.

While both types of elephants have skin color ranging from dark gray to brown, as Asian elephants age, they develop patches of pinkish-peach skin on their trunks, ears, and faces.

For years, scientists believed that African elephants were a single species. Thanks to advancements in DNA testing, scientists have now discovered that African elephants can actually be divided into two species: African forest elephants and African bush elephants. As their names suggest, they inhabit different environments and have begun to develop distinct characteristics that help them thrive in their respective environments.

Try It Out

Are you ready to learn more about elephants? Gather a few animal-loving friends and family members to join you in exploring the following activities:

Interesting Facts About Elephants

• Scientists recently discovered that there are actually two species of African elephants, contrary to their previous belief. This breakthrough was made possible through DNA testing. If DNA evidence can reveal such surprising information about elephants, what other scientific discoveries could it lead to in the future?
• Elephants have a hidden talent – they can paint! You can find amazing paintings created by elephants on the Art by Elephants website. These paintings are sold to collectors, and the proceeds are used for the care and well-being of elephants.
• Let your imagination run wild and create your own story about having an elephant as a pet. Imagine the misadventures your pet elephant would get into, the daily walks you would take together, and what special food you would feed it. Share your imaginative story with a friend or family member.

Sources of Wonder

• Learn more about the different species of elephants at www.livescience.com
• Discover the distinctions between African and Asian elephants at www.knowledgenuts.com
• Find out about Asian elephants and their conservation at wwf.panda.org