Difference Between Asian and African Elephant – African Elephant vs Asian Elephant
By Balaji
Updated on: February 17th, 2023
The difference between Asian and African elephant is that Asian elephants have smaller ears than African elephants. Although both these types of elephants belong to the general elephant species, numerous characteristics are associated with each type, making the African and Asian elephants distinctively different. African Elephants are heavier than Asian Elephants, as the average weight of African elephants varies between 4,000 and 8,000 kg.
Difference Between Asian and African Elephant PDF
Asian Elephants are smaller in size as compared to African elephants. Only male Asian Elephants have tusks, while both male and female African Elephants bear tusks. The difference between African Elephant vs Asian Elephant can be done by comparing their heads, teeth, tusk, skin, etc. In this article, a detailed overview of the differences Between Asian and African Elephant will be provided.
Table of content
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1. Difference Between Asian and African Elephant
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2. Asian and African Elephants
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3. Asian Elephants
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4. African Elephants
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5. Key Difference Between Asian and African Elephant
Difference Between Asian and African Elephant
Numerous differences separate the Asian variant of elephants from their African brethren. Some of the primary Difference Between Asian and African Elephant have been enumerated below.
African Elephant vs Asian Elephant
|
Difference Between Asian and African Elephant |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Sl. No. |
Type |
Asian Elephants |
African Elephants |
|
1 |
Head |
They have an indented twin dome-shaped head. The indentation runs through the centre of the head. |
They have dome-shaped heads that are fuller and round without any indentation. |
|
2 |
Ears |
They have circular ears, which are comparatively smaller than African elephants. |
The African elephants have fan-shaped large ears. According to some, their ears symbolize the map of Africa. |
|
3 |
Height |
The height of an average Asian elephant is about 3.5 meters, which is centimetres shorter than its African counterparts. |
The average height of African elephants is above 4 meters, which is notches above their Asian counterparts. |
|
4 |
Weight |
The average weight of Asian elephants varies between 3,000 and 6,000 kg. |
The average weight of African elephants varies between 4,000 and 8,000 kg. |
|
5 |
Tusks |
Tusks are seen only on the male variant. On the other hand, the females have tushes, a type of rudimentary tusks. |
Both the male and well as female variants of African elephants have tusks. |
|
6 |
Lips |
A notable difference between Asian and African elephant is that the lower lips of Asian elephants are tapered and longer. |
African Elephants have shorter and rounder lower lips. |
|
7 |
Teeth |
Asian elephants enjoy compressed diamond-shaped tooth profiles. |
They have a “loxodont” (sloping) tooth profile. This essentially provides their scientific name – Africana Loxodonta. |
|
8 |
Areas |
Asian elephants are found mainly across the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, including Laos and Myanmar. |
They are present across the Central and West African rainforests though their presence has also been noted through the African savannas and deserts. |
|
9 |
Skin |
Their skin is usually pretty smooth. |
They have rough and wrinkled skin. |
|
10 |
Life Expectancy |
Their average life expectancy is 48 years. |
Their average life expectancy is 70 years. |
Asian and African Elephants
Elephants are the largest mammals living on the earth’s surface. Known for their huge bodies, ears, and trunks, elephants are also one of the most well-known living beings. However, when talking of elephants, there are two most distinctive types of elephants inhabiting the earth now – the Asian and the African elephants.
Asian Elephants
The Asian elephants are known for their one-of-a-kind head, which is “twin dome-shaped.” The texture of the skin of the Asian elephant is smoother as compared to other elephants.
- Even their toots are diamond-shaped.
- The scientific name is Elephas maximus indicus.
- The Asian elephant is the land mammal, the largest on the Asian continent.
- They are majorly found in South and Southeast Asia.
- Asian elephants are endangered, and various measures are being taken to save them.
African Elephants
The African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant and is called the largest land mammal in the world. Their heads are fuller and dome-shaped. The African elephants live up to 70 years.
- The height of the African elephant is higher than that of Asian elephants.
- The scientific name of the African elephant is Loxodonta Africana.
- Although the differences are stark between African and Asian elephants, their eating and movement habits (in the herd) are the same.
Conclusion:
Key Difference Between Asian and African Elephant
The key Difference Between Asian and African Elephant is that Asian Elephants have smaller circular ears, whereas African elephants have fan-shaped large ears. The average weight of Asian elephants (3,000 – 6,000 kg) is less than that of African elephants (4,000 – 8,000 kg).
