{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "elephant",
  "name": "African Elephant",
  "scientificName": "Loxodonta africana",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The African elephant is the largest living land animal, weighing up to 6,000 kg (13,200 lb) and standing up to 4 m (13 ft) at the shoulder. They are highly intelligent, deeply social, and use their trunks for breathing, drinking, grasping, and communication. Wild elephants can live 60 to 70 years.",
  "conservationStatus": "Endangered",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Proboscidea",
    "family": "Elephantidae",
    "genus": "Loxodonta"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 6000,
    "lengthM": 7.5,
    "topSpeedKmh": 40,
    "lifespanYears": 65
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Loxodonta africana"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Herbivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Savanna, forest, desert edge"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "60–70 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "2,700–6,000 kg (6,000–13,200 lb)"
    },
    {
      "label": "Height",
      "value": "Up to 4 m (13 ft) at the shoulder"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Endangered (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "The savannas, forests, and desert edges of sub-Saharan Africa.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Gobush, K. S. et al. (2021). Loxodonta africana. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": "https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/181008073/223031019"
    },
    {
      "citation": "Sukumar, R. (2003). The Living Elephants: Evolutionary Ecology, Behavior, and Conservation. Oxford University Press.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Moss, C. (1988). Elephant Memories: Thirteen Years in the Life of an Elephant Family. William Morrow.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Payne, K. B. et al. (1986). Infrasonic calls of the Asian elephant. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology.",
      "url": null
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/elephant/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/elephant/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}