Size, Tusks, and Ears: How African and Asian Elephants Differ

Unless you know what to look for, you may not notice the differences between an African elephant vs. Asian elephant. These two elephant species belong to different genuses and have many distinguishing features between them. Not only are they physically different from one another in many ways, they live in different geographical locations and their habitats do not overlap! We will address these differences in detail so that you can learn how to tell the difference between African elephants and Asian elephants. Keep reading to learn more about these gentle giants now! 

Comparing African Elephant vs Asian Elephant

Key Differences Between African Elephants and Asian Elephants

Many key differences separate African elephant from Asian elephants. Not only are they found in completely separate parts of the world, but they live in different habitats as well. The African elephant is much larger than its Asian counterpart. African elephants’ ears are even bigger! But this is not where their differences end. Let’s take a look at all of their unique characteristics now! 

African Elephant vs. Asian Elephant: Location and Genus

An obvious difference between African elephants and Asian elephants is their genera. These are two different species, with African elephants belonging to the genius Loxodonta and Asian elephants belonging to the genus Elepha.  These two creatures also exist in totally separate parts of the world, which means that they never meet except in zoos or other wildlife exhibits. African elephants exist in Africa, while Asian elephants exist in Asia. These two distinct habitats greatly affect their overall appearance and diets as well, given that African elephants live on hot and dry savannas, while Asian elephants prefer moist rainforests. 

Size and Weight 

Another difference between African elephants and Asian elephants is their size and weight. While both of these creatures are extremely large and impressive to behold, African elephants far outweigh Asian elephants. This also means that African elephants are taller than Asian elephants. African elephants are 10-12 feet tall and weigh 8,000-12,000 pounds, while Asian elephants are 7-10 feet tall and weigh 6,000-11,000 pounds. While neither animal is small by any means, African elephants are much bigger in every way when compared to Asian elephants.

Head and Tusks

When looking at an African elephant and an Asian elephant side-by-side, you can really tell the differences in their head shapes and tasks. African elephants generally have much larger tusks than Asian elephants. While both male and female elephants can have tusks, you can expect African elephants to have more impressive tasks than Asian elephants. 

Another obvious difference between these two creatures is their head shape. When you compare an African elephant head to an Asian elephant head, you will notice that the shape of their skulls is very different. African elephant heads are completely rounded and large, while Asian elephant heads form two hills or humps on the top, with a line down the center of their face.

African Elephant vs. Asian Elephant: Ears and Trunk

One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between an African elephant and an Asian elephant is by looking at their ears and trunks. An African elephant’s ears are extremely large and billowing, while Asian elephant’s ears are smaller and look crumpled. An African elephant’s trunk is very different from an Asian elephant’s trunk. The African elephant’s trunk has two distinct lips that are used for grabbing and holding things, while an Asian elephant’s trunk has but a single lip on the top that they use to grab things. 

Body and Skin

A final identifying characteristic of African elephants and Asian elephants is their body and skin. African elephant skin is much more wrinkled and creased than Asian elephant skin. Asian elephants have skin that is more speckled than that of their African brothers and sisters. According to a recent study, African elephants have wrinkles to retain water and prevent dehydration while traversing the African Savanna. Asian elephants do not have this concern, as they live in more tropical and wet climates.