What's the Difference between Asian and African Elephants?

Elephants are truly extraordinary creatures. The burly beasts that roam the forests, deserts, plains and savannas of this world claim the title of largest land animal - with their unique physiques making them one of the most iconic animals that walk the earth today.

They belong to the aptly named taxonomic family Elephantidae, which is composed of three different species: the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).

While the African bush elephant and African forest elephant do possess some recognizable differences, they remain relatively subtle aside from the enormous difference in overall size. This article aims to highlight the most easily distinguishable features between the more common African species (the bush elephant) and the Asian elephant.

Identifying each species should be a breeze considering that Asian and African elephants inhabit entirely different parts of the planet, but below you will find information on the most easily identifiable physiological differences.

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Size

Note that the Asian elephant (left) is female and the African elephant (right) is male. Even when comparing similar photographs, it can be hard to gauge the difference in size.

At a glance, comparing the sizes of any two things can be challenging when not positioned side-by-side. Due to their entirely differing world distribution, this has only been made possible with human intervention. The Asian and African elephant may seem to be similar in size, especially when comparing them against all other species. However, the average African bush elephant is far greater in size than their cousins from the East. While Asian elephants can weigh up to 5,400 kg and reach heights of 2.7 meters, the African bush elephant can grow up to 80 cm taller and almost a ton heavier. Incidentally, the African forest elephant is the smallest of the three species, with males rarely exceeding heights of 2.5 meters and masses not in excess of 2.7 tons.

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Tusks

Aside from the odd individual, all African elephants whether male or female possess impressive ivory tusks, but many Asian elephants do not. In fact, female Asian elephants are not equipped with any tusks at all, with about 50% having small tusk like teeth referred to as tushes. The percentage of males with ivory varies depending on the region, which is possibly reflective of the intensity of hunting in the past. For example, only 5% of bulls in Sri Lanka sport the long modified incisors, whereas around 90% of the population in southern India boast them.

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Ears

Notice that the ears on the Asian elephant (left) are far smaller than those of the African elephant (right)

Perhaps the most easily distinguishable feature between Asian and African elephants are their ears. Shaped similar to the continent in which they inhabit, the African elephant's ears have a far larger surface area - an evolutionary adaptation to keep them cool in the scorching temperatures. Owing to the fact that most Asian elephants dwell in cooler jungle areas, they have less to worry about in terms of overheating. Therefore their ears are a lot smaller.

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Skin

The Asian elephant (left) has far smoother skin than their wrinkly African cousins (right).

Another adaptation to regulating body temperature and a feature that is a little less conspicuous is the "wrinkliness" of each species’ skin. While not particularly obvious at a glance, the African bush elephants have far more wrinkles on their skins as opposed to their Asian counterparts. This adaptation helps them to retain more water and mud over their huge bodies which helps to keep them cool in the blazing African sun.

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Head Shape

Asian and African elephants have very distinct head shapes with the former displaying a twin domed skull complete with an indent in the middle. African elephants tend to have fuller and more rounded heads owing to the fact that their skulls are composed of a single dome. Further, it can easy to distinguish between the sexes of African bush elephants by observing the contrasting shapes of the foreheads. While females and younger elephants have a very angular shape, mature males' are more curved.

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Trunk

Look for the two small finger-like appendages on the tip of the African elephant's (right) trunk as opposed to just one on those of the Asian elephant (left)

The major difference between the species’ trunks lies in the form of the tip. While the African elephant has two very distinct “fingers” at the end of their elongated snouts, the Asian elephant possesses just one. Similar to human fingers and thumbs, the dexterous appendages help the elephants to pick up and manipulate objects.

What's the Difference Between Black and White Rhinos?

The Rhinoceros is a truly fascinating creature. They belong to a taxonomic order called Perissodactyla, or, odd toed ungulates, which actually makes them more closely related to the equids (Horses and Zebras), than the likes of Elephants or Hippopotamuses.

Even today, it's still surprising for some to learn that there are five species of Rhinoceros distributed across the globe. While the Javan, Sumatran, and Greater One-Horned Rhinoceroses span the Asian continent, the Black and White Rhinoceroses grace the plains and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa.

Aside from the obvious, the one thing that all of these species have in common is their critically endangered status. But since this article is focused mainly on spotting the differences between the two African species, I'll leave this important information to the end.

You'd be forgiven for thinking that the most obvious difference between the two is their colour. In fact, they are actually both grey in colour, and the origins of their names are widely thought to be the result of a language mixup.

The English word "white" is said to have been derived by mistranslation of the Dutch word "wijd", which means "wide" in English. The word "wide" refers to the width of the rhinoceros's mouth. Consequently,  English-speaking settlers in South Africa misinterpreted the "wijd" for "white" and the rhino with the wide mouth ended up being called the White Rhino and the other one, with the narrow pointed mouth, was called the Black Rhino.

While there are plenty of differences between Black and White Rhinoceroses, I've aimed to highlight the easiest to identify. Images of Black Rhinos are on the left, with White Rhino comparisons on the right.

Lips

Alternative names for these beautiful animals are the Wide-lipped (white) and Hook-lipped (black) Rhinoceroses. The shapes of their mouths are without doubt the most easily distinguishable feature between the two. Black Rhinoceroses developed a pointed, hooked lip used to pick fruit from branches and select leaves from twigs. In contrast, White Rhinoceroses exhibit flat, wide lips that are perfectly suited to grazing.

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Size

The White Rhinoceros is the largest of the whole family, but the difference between its African cousin can only really be appreciated when the two are seen together. In terms of weight, White Rhino males can reach a staggering 2,300 kg, whereas the largest Black Rhinos are about 1,100 kg. The White Rhino can grow as high as 5-6 ft at the shoulder, with Black Rhino reaching between 4.5 and 5.5 ft.

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Horn

Both species have two horns, but differences in the way they grow are not a reliable means of identification. White Rhinos tend to have a larger size difference between the two horns, with the front one always being the longest. Black Rhino horns are often more manicured, and, while fairly uncommon, the back horn can be longer than the front.

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Back

When observed from a long distance, it can be particularly difficult to determine which species you're looking at. One fairly common way of comparing the two is to take a look at the shape of their backs. While the Black Rhino has a deep concave back, the White Rhino has a fairly flat back with a prominent bump just behind the midway. Another distinguishable characteristic you may notice is that Black Rhinos tend to hold their shorter, rounded heads in a raised position, whereas the White Rhino keeps its elongated, square-shaped head lowered.

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Feeding

One should not rely solely on feeding behaviour to distinguish between the two, but in general White Rhino are grazers that feed upon grass and Black Rhino are browsers that gorge on fruits and leaves attached to bushes. In times of drought, however, both have been known to adopt the other's feeding habits.

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Offspring

Being significantly larger, the gestation period of the White Rhino is around 16 months as opposed to Black Rhino which is approximately 15 months. The young of the White Rhino usually runs ahead of its mother where it can be easily seen and therefore protected at all times. Due to their habit of spending most of their time in thick bush, the young of Black Rhino usually stay behind the mother as a defence tactic against predators.

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Behaviour

There are many behavioural differences, but the best known is the Black Rhino's tendency to be more excitable and aggressive than White Rhinos. One theory for this is because they spend most of their time browsing in thick bush where predators or other threats can spring up on them at any given moment. White Rhino generally spend most of their time in open fields where they have plenty of time to react to any threats.

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Why are Rhinoceroses facing extinction?

Poaching has escalated in recent years with a growing demand in Asian countries such as China and Vietnam for Rhino horn. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine but is more commonly purchased as a status symbol of wealth and power.

Despite concrete evidence supporting the fact that rhino horn has absolutely no medicinal value whatsoever, poachers are now being supplied with sophisticated equipment by international criminal gangs to track and kill rhinoceroses. The horn is made of keratin, the exact same substance that makes up human hair and nails. Despite this scientifically proven fact, rhino horn is currently fetching prices of up to $100,000 per kilogram, so it's no wonder anti-poaching units are being kept so busy.

If you'd like to contribute to the conservation of one of our planet's most enchanting and iconic species, you can do so by supporting amazing organisations like Save the Rhino, Helping Rhinos, and International Rhino Foundation.

Akagera's Unsung Animals

Akagera is a sizeable national park comprising a wide variety of biomes including swampland, savanna, low mountains, plains, woodland, and thicket. The area's rich biodiversity is undoubtedly down to its broad spectrum of terrain.

The park is home to four of Africa's "big-five", including buffalo, elephant, lion, and leopard. Regions encompassing dense bush allow some of these species to remain well hidden, and it's not entirely uncommon to leave the park without spotting any of the latter three.

Chances of observing the newly introduced lions aren't necessarily guaranteed, and you be surprised how easily an elephant can conceal itself when feeling unsociable. Leopard are mostly nocturnal and can be elusive as a woodpecker riding weasel when they want to be (we've all seen that photo).

But don't despair. There are plenty of fascinating animals where the odds are overwhelmingly in your favour - in terms of viewing opportunities. The list below contains mostly large mammals, with a couple of interesting reptiles for good measure. For birds, you can refer to my previous post, A Beginner's Guide to Birding in Akagera.

Consider yourself pretty unlucky if you don't see any of the following:

Hippopotamus

One of the largest animals you'll observe in Akagera, and more or less a given that you'll see plenty. Hippos spend most of their days in and around water, with the park's population frequenting mainly around the large lakes. They'll stray further inland during the cooler hours of the evening, and spend most of the night grazing before heading back toward the wetlands. The best place to find these hefty ungulates are on Hippo Beach, where you can also stop for lunch or to use the restroom.

Interesting fact: Despite their affiliation with water, hippopotamuses can't actually swim! They walk along the bottoms of lakes and rivers where they'll hold their breath for up to seven minutes!

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Cape Buffalo

The cape buffalo is without doubt the one species from the "big-five" that you'll almost certainly to spot on a day trip to Akagera. They're notoriously grumpy, with older males aka "duggaboys" being particularly bad-tempered. Males and females are similar but are easily distinguishable by looking at the horns. Where male's horns fuse together into a "boss" over the forehead, the females do not. You'll likely spot these imposing bovids in big groups consisting mainly of females and younger bulls. Older males tend to break off from the herd and spend much of their time wallowing in mud.

Interesting fact: Buffalo are probably the most dangerous and highly feared of all the big-five due to their frightening combination of bad temperament and enormous power!

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Olive Baboon

The largest of all primates found within the Akagera wilderness is the olive baboon. Also known as the anubis baboon, this old world monkey is the most wide-ranging of all baboons. One major factor toward their success is  their omnivorous and non-fussy diet. They have been recorded eating a large variety of plants, invertebrates, small mammals and birds. The olive baboon's social structure is known as an oligarchy, with troops of up to 150 individuals led by an elite group of males. Chances of spotting them are very high!

Interesting fact: Female olive baboons often form long-lasting social relationships with a male in their troop, known as a "friendship". These nonsexual friendships benefit both the male and female. The male benefits as these relationships are usually formed soon after immigrating into the troop, helping him to become socially accepted. The females benefit as the male will sometimes "babysit" for her.

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Nile Crocodile

Akagera is home to the second largest reptile on earth, surpassed only by the saltwater crocodile. Look out for these enormous prehistoric-looking beasts along the water edges of Akagera's beautiful lakes. Sexual dimorphism is prevalent, with females growing to be about 30% larger than males. Though they feed only a few times a year, Nile crocodiles are opportunistic and highly aggressive apex predators that are fully capable of taking down just about any species within their range.

Interesting fact: An unusual behaviour of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, both Nile crocodile parents will ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch.

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Plains (Burchell's) Zebra

You may be surprised to learn that there are four different species of zebra! Akagera is home to the most common of all, the plains or, Burchell's zebra. This species is easily distinguishable from others because it is the only one that has stripes which join around the belly. Zebra can be found all over Akagera, but best chances of spotting them are in the northern plains. You'll likely observe them forming aggregations with other species such as topi, warthog, and impala.

Interesting fact: A typical plains zebra family consists of a male, called a stallion, several females, called mares, and their young. When male zebra reach adolescence, they break off from the herd and form bachelor groups until they are ready to take over their own harem.

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Impala

The most common and widespread of all antelope in the park, impala are pretty, medium-sized antelope that are quite hard to miss.  Males sport long, slightly spiralled horns which they used to do battle with one another over mating rights during the rutting season. Females do not possess horns and are often found in large groups with one alpha male leading his harem of up to 300! During breeding season, you'll often spot several males forming a bachelor herd.

Interesting fact: Impala communicate in several ways, but the most impressive are through olfactory methods. Males produce a scent from pre-orbital glands on their foreheads to advertise their status to rivals. Both female and male impala are also thought to produce scents from their metatarsal glands to indicate their whereabouts to disbanded herd members when evading predators.

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Masai Giraffe

Like zebra, there are four species of giraffe which have also been divided into nine subspecies! Akagera plays host to the largest in the family, the Masai giraffe. The park was not originally an area where giraffe congregated. Those that now grace the plains and savannas of Akagera are the offspring of a small group introduced in 1986 from Kenya. Giraffe live in social groups known as temporary associations, and you'll likely spot several browsing together in areas densely populated with acacia trees.

Interesting fact: A giraffe's heart can weigh up to 14 kg! A series of special one-way valves in their necks regulate blood flow to the brain. Without these valves, the blood pressure in the giraffe's head would be immense when it bends over, enough to cause brain damage.

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Warthog

Made famous by the character Pumba in the Lion King, warthog's tend to be high on most safari-goer's bucket lists. They are mostly diurnal and can be seen all over the park where they spend most of their time grazing on short grass. It's very common to see male and female warthogs together, with up to 7 piglets close by. The warthogs of Akagera tend to be quite skittish and often distance themselves from vehicles quite quickly. As they run away, you'll notice they lift their tails entirely upright which is used as a "follow me" signal for their young.

Interesting fact: In areas with large populations of predators, warthog piglets have a very high mortality rate. Females will typically give birth to 3-5 piglets with usually only one or two making it to adulthood.

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Defassa Waterbuck

One of the largest antelope species in the park and also very common and widespread. Waterbuck are so named because they are a highly water-dependent species, and are rarely spotted more than a few kilometres from any aquatic source. They also have been observed fleeing into water in order to evade predators such as lion, hyena, and leopard. Waterbuck have very distinct markings with long necks and a mainly grey/brown shaggy coat with white patch on the rear.

Interesting fact: Waterbuck take longer to mature than any other antelope species. While males become sexually active at around the age of six years, females reach maturity within two to three years. 

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Topi (Tsessebe)

The second most prevalent of all antelope species in the park, the topi, or tsessebe, is also the fastest. Both males and females have slightly angled horns with a dark brown coat and black patch that runs from the forehead all the way down their elongated snout. They are a highly sociable species and can often be observed grazing in the arid grasslands and savannas in the north of the park. During mating season, you may see males standing alone in small territories whilst waiting for females to enter their domain.

Interesting fact: Both male and female topis will often rub their heads against the ground (to spread scent from facial glands), roll around in earth, and stir up mud with their horns. They have also been observed using their hooves to smear mud over their bodies, which is thought to help rid themselves of parasites.

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Vervet Monkey

Very commonly spotted primate not just in Akagera, but all over Rwanda from the mountains of Musanze to Kigali city suburbs. These cheeky little old world monkeys definitely fit their mischievous label. They have been noted for very having human-like characteristics including hypertension, anxiety, and even alcohol dependence! Social groups can range from 10 to a whopping 70 individuals. Males are fairly easily distinguished from females for their large, electric blue scrotum!

Interesting fact: Vervets are highly intelligent creatures and are well-known for their wide-range of communication and alarm calls, specifically in regard to particular predator sightings. 

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Common Eland

The common eland is the largest antelope species in Akagera and second largest in the world (after the giant eland). Eland bulls can grow to enormous sizes and weigh up to a tonne! Both males and females have thick spiralled horns that are ridged. Due to their colossal size, they are the slowest of all antelopes but can jump to a staggering three metres high! While the common eland can be found in massive herds of up to 500, you'll most likely observe them moving in much smaller groups in Akagera.

Interesting fact: In some areas, common eland are notorious for killing lions whilst defending themselves and their young against predation. For this reason they have been nicknamed by many as "The Lion Killers".

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Other interesting species to look out for:

• Blue Monkey
• Bohor Reedbuck
• Bushbuck
• Common Duiker
• Klipspringer
• Oribi
• Roan Antelope
• Side-striped Jackal
• Sitatunga
• Spotted Hyena
• Water Monitor

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Mostly nocturnal species in Akagera:

• Caracal
• Civet
• Galagos (Bushbaby)
• Genet
• Serval