The 3 Species of Elephants: Savanna, Forest & Asian - Cambodia Elephant Sanctuary

The 3 Species of Elephants: Savanna, Forest & Asian

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There are three living species of elephants: the African savanna elephant, the African forest elephant and the Asian elephant. All three are classified as endangered. Here is how they compare.

African savanna elephant

The largest of the three, the African savanna elephant can grow up to 30 ft (9 m) from trunk to tail, weigh more than 13,000 lbs (6 tons) and stand as tall as 12 ft (4 m) at the shoulder. It is classified as endangered.

African forest elephant

Smaller than its savanna cousin, the African forest elephant weighs around 5,950 lbs (2.7 tons) and stands up to 8.2 ft (2.5 m) at the shoulder. It is also classified as endangered.

Asian elephant

The Asian elephant, the species you meet at our sanctuary, grows to 18-21 ft (5.5-6.4 m) in length, weighs 4,000-11,000 lbs (2-5 tons) and stands 8-10 ft (2-3 m) at the shoulder. It is classified as endangered. Learn how much elephants eat in a day.

Visit the elephants yourself 🐘

Spend a hands-on, ethical half-day with our rescued elephants near Siem Reap — feed them, join a mud bath and bathe them in the river. Hotel pick-up from Siem Reap included.

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