African Bush Elephant vs. Woolly Mammoth

Attribute	African Bush Elephant	Woolly Mammoth
Species	Loxodonta africana	Mammuthus primigenius
Size	Up to 13 feet tall and 24,000 pounds	Up to 11 feet tall and 6 tons
Habitat	African savannas and forests	Tundra and grasslands of North America, Europe, and Asia
Extinct	No	Yes
Tusks	Both males and females have tusks	Both males and females have tusks

Physical Appearance

The African Bush Elephant, also known as the African savanna elephant, is the largest land animal on Earth. It has a thickset body with large ears and tusks that can reach up to 10 feet in length. The skin of the African Bush Elephant is wrinkled and gray in color, providing protection from the sun and helping to regulate body temperature. In contrast, the Woolly Mammoth was a prehistoric elephant species that lived during the last Ice Age. It had a thick coat of fur to keep it warm in the cold climate, unlike the African Bush Elephant which has sparse hair on its body.

Size and Weight

The African Bush Elephant can weigh up to 14,000 pounds and stand as tall as 13 feet at the shoulder. In comparison, the Woolly Mammoth was slightly smaller, with an average weight of around 6 tons and a height of about 11 feet. Despite their size difference, both animals were massive creatures that dominated their respective habitats. The African Bush Elephant is still alive today, while the Woolly Mammoth went extinct around 4,000 years ago.

Tusks

Both the African Bush Elephant and the Woolly Mammoth had tusks, but there are some differences between the two. The tusks of the African Bush Elephant are used for digging, lifting objects, and defense against predators. They are made of ivory and can weigh up to 100 pounds each. In contrast, the Woolly Mammoth's tusks were longer and more curved, reaching lengths of up to 16 feet. These tusks were used for digging in the snow for food and possibly for display during mating rituals.

Habitat

The African Bush Elephant is found in sub-Saharan Africa, primarily in savannas, grasslands, and forests. It is a herbivore that feeds on grasses, leaves, bark, and fruits. The Woolly Mammoth, on the other hand, lived in the cold tundra regions of North America, Europe, and Asia during the Ice Age. It was well-adapted to the harsh conditions of the Ice Age, with its thick fur coat and specialized diet of grasses and shrubs.

Behavior

Both the African Bush Elephant and the Woolly Mammoth are social animals that live in herds. The African Bush Elephant herds are led by a matriarch, usually the oldest and most experienced female. The Woolly Mammoth herds were likely led by older females as well, with younger males leaving the herd once they reached maturity. Both species are known for their intelligence, memory, and strong family bonds.

Extinction

While the African Bush Elephant is still thriving in the wild today, the Woolly Mammoth went extinct around 4,000 years ago. The exact cause of the Woolly Mammoth's extinction is still debated among scientists, but factors such as climate change, overhunting by early humans, and habitat loss likely played a role. The African Bush Elephant, on the other hand, is currently listed as vulnerable due to poaching and habitat destruction, but conservation efforts are being made to protect this iconic species.