The African bush elephant, also known as the African savanna elephant, is one of two extant African elephant species and one of three extant elephant species. It is the largest living terrestrial animal, with bulls reaching an average shoulder height of 3.04–3.36 metres (10.0–11.0 ft) and a body mass of 5.2–6.9 tonnes (11,500–15,200 lb), with the largest recorded specimen having a shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft) and a body mass of 10.4 tonnes (22,900 lb).
African bush elephant
Skeleton of a female African bush elephant on display at the Museum of Osteology
Size comparison of the skeleton of famous African bush elephant bull Jumbo, around 3.2 metres tall and 6 tonnes in weight, compared to a human
Molar of an adult African bush elephant
African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species, the African bush elephant and the smaller African forest elephant. Both are social herbivores with grey skin, but differ in the size and colour of their tusks and in the shape and size of their ears and skulls.
Image: African Elephant (Loxodonta africana) male (17289351322)
Image: Loxodontacyclotis
A female African bush elephant skeleton on display at the Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City
A male African bush elephant skull on display at the Museum of Osteology
