How can you tell the difference between an African and an Asian elephant?

While there are many differences—and researchers continue to learn more every day—the primary distinctions include:

• Size: African savanna elephants are generally larger than Asian elephants, while African forest elephants are the smallest of all elephant species.
• Ears: African elephants have large ears shaped roughly like the African continent; Asian elephants have smaller, more rectangular ears. African forest elephants have ears similar to savanna elephants but more rounded.
• Tusks: Both male and female African elephants typically have tusks, whereas only some male Asian elephants do. African forest elephant tusks tend to grow straight downward.
• Trunk: African savanna and forest elephants have two “fingers” at the tip of their trunk, while Asian elephants have only one.
• Body Shape: Asian elephants have a rounded back, while the backs of African savanna and forest elephants dip downward.
• Head Shape: Asian elephants have two prominent head domes; African savanna and forest elephants have a single dome.