A LITTLE WILDLIFE PERSPECTIVE
How tall is an African elephant?
Compare your height to an African elephant.
African bush elephants stand roughly 2.2–4 m at the shoulder. Adult males are usually much taller and heavier than females.
A LITTLE PERSPECTIVE
African elephant
next to the average.
Average U.S. adults, side by side.
- Average man (U.S.)5 ft 8.9 in
- African elephant11 ft 5.8 in
- Average woman (U.S.)5 ft 3.5 in
How do you measure up?
Enter your height to stand beside an African elephant.
Side by side
- African elephant11 ft 5.8 in
- Your placeAdd your height
The animal is an example adult in the pose shown. Its full outline is scaled to 350 cm. Shoulder height and body length are explained below.
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GET TO KNOW THE ANIMAL
Small facts. Big discoveries.
African bush elephant · Loxodonta africana
The African bush elephant is a giant with a surprisingly useful nose. Its trunk works as a nose and a flexible grabbing tool, reaching from the ground to branches above.
African elephants switch between grazing on grass and browsing trees as food changes with the seasons. Their trunks also carry water to their mouths, while deep rumbling calls help members of a herd communicate even when they are far apart.
- An adult male commonly weighs 4,500–6,100 kg.
- Females commonly weigh 2,000–3,500 kg, so even a smaller adult is enormous.
How big do adults get?
- Male
- 3.2–4 m at the shoulder
- Female
- 2.2–2.6 m at the shoulder
These ranges describe African bush elephants, not the smaller forest or Asian elephants.
Height, length, or weight?
Standing height runs from the ground to the top of the animal. Shoulder height stops at the top of the shoulders. Length runs along the body; it is not how tall an animal stands. Weight tells us how heavy it is.
Explore the science: Animal Diversity Web · University of Michigan ↗