About Forest Elephants

Forest elephants are usually found in heavily forested areas, and equatorial regions, like the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Congo-Zaire).

Classification

The forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is one of two sub-species of the African elephant. The other african species is the savannah (or bush) elephant. The Indian or Asian Elephant is also a different species of the elephant family.

Ivory poaching has severely reduced the elephant herd populations, so they are now classified as an endangered species.

Distinguishing Features

There are several ways to distinguish the forest subspecies from savannah elephants:

Ears are smaller than the savannah elephant, and the lower lobe is more circular in shape.
Tusks curve downward, closer to their knees and are more slender. The ivory is much harder and has a pinkish tinge.
Toenails - on the forefeet there are five toenails; just four on the hind feet.
Height - they are about 2-3 feet shorter than savannah elephants. Males rarely exceed 8 feet (2.5 metres).
Weight - approx. 7,500 lbs (approx. 3,400 kgs.)
Skin has a darker color, with more hair.
Carry their heads closer to the ground.

African Elephant Photo

Scientific Classification of the Forest Elephant

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Proboscidea
Family	Elephantidae
Genus	Loxodonta
Species	Loxodonta cyclotis
Binomial Name	Loxodonta cyclotis