An African bush elephant feeding beside a tree in South Luangwa National Park — Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0

Mammal

African Bush Elephant Facts Loxodonta africana

MammalSub-Saharan AfricaHerbivore

African bush elephants are the largest living land animals and range across savannas, woodlands, and forests. Their feeding, digging, and tree-felling reshape habitats used by many other species.

Habitat: Savanna
Diet: Grasses, leaves, bark, roots, and fruit
Lifespan: 60–70 years

Classification

Family: Elephantidae. Order: Proboscidea.

African Bush Elephant Habitat

African Bush Elephants live in Savanna and Grassland and Forest habitats. Their recorded range includes Sub-Saharan Africa. Suitable food, shelter, and conditions for raising young help shape that range.

What Do African Bush Elephants Eat?

Diet classification: Herbivore. Recorded foods: Grasses, leaves, bark, roots, and fruit.

African Bush Elephant Lifespan, Size, and Weight

Recorded lifespan: 60–70 years. Recorded size: 220–400 cm at the shoulder. Recorded weight: 2,000–6,100 kg.

African Bush Elephant Conservation Status

African Bush Elephant is listed here as Endangered. Protecting habitat, maintaining healthy prey or food sources, and reducing human pressure are important parts of conserving wild populations.

Quick facts

Region: Sub-Saharan Africa
Habitat: Savanna, Grassland, Forest
Diet: Herbivore
Lifespan: 60–70 years
Size: 220–400 cm at the shoulder
Weight: 2,000–6,100 kg

Fun facts

Their trunks contain tens of thousands of muscles and can handle both heavy branches and tiny objects.
Low-frequency rumbles can travel through air and ground over long distances.
Family herds are usually led by an experienced matriarch.
Large ears release heat and help elephants regulate body temperature.

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