Loxodonta is a genus of elephants comprising two living species, the African bush elephant and the smaller African forest elephant, both social herbivores with grey skin distinguished from Asian elephants by the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth. The two species differ in tusk size and color and in the shape of their ears and skulls, and inhabit sub-Saharan Africa across habitats from Sahelian scrubland to tropical rainforest and miombo woodland, with the forest elephant restricted to Central and West Africa. As of 2021 the bush elephant is classified endangered and the forest elephant critically endangered.
Facts
Taxonomic Rank Scientific Name Member Species/Taxa Count Geographic DistributionSub-Saharan Africa, including Sahelian scrubland 1 Defining CharacteristicsGenus name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of the molar teeth 1 Identification
Distinguishing AppearanceGrey folded skin up to 30 mm thick 1 Sources
1. Wikipedia: African Elephant
WikipediaLead, first sentence, genus clause
African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta
Lead, first sentence, name
the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species
Lead, first sentence, species count
African elephants are members of the genus Loxodonta comprising two living elephant species
Distribution and habitat
African elephants are distributed in Sub-Saharan Africa, where they inhabit Sahelian scrubland
Lead, sentence on the name
The name refers to the lozenge-shaped enamel of their molar teeth
Skin, ears, and trunk
African elephants have grey folded skin up to 30 mm
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