-
Step 1
Take note of the elephants' size. The African elephant is slightly larger than the Asian elephant. African elephants weigh between 4,000 and 7,000 kilograms and are between 3 and 4 meters tall (shoulder height). Asian elephants weigh between 3,000 and 6,000 kilograms and are between 2 and 3.5 meters tall (shoulder height).
-
Step 2
Observe the skin of these two types of elephants. The skin of the African elephant is darker in color than the skin of the Asian elephant, and it's more wrinkled as well. Asian elephants have smoother skin.
-
Step 3
Notice the shapes of the elephants' backs. The back of the African elephant is concave, and the back of the Asian elephant is convex, straight or level.
-
Step 4
Look at the shape of the elephants' heads. African elephants have a sloped head that does not have any bulges, bumps or dents on it. Asian elephants have a rounded head. They also have bumps on the top of their heads and a dented forehead.
-
Step 5
Examine the elephants' ears. The African elephant has larger ears than the Asian elephant. The ears on the African elephant can be up to four meters in width. The ears of the Asian elephant do not cover its neck, whereas the ears of the African elephant do.
-
Step 6
Study the tusks of the elephants. Both male and female African elephants have tusks. Males have bigger tusks than females. Male Asian elephants also have trunks, however female Asian elephants do not.
-
Step 7
Pay attention to the trunks. The African elephant has two "fingers" on the end of its trunk, and the Asian elephant has only one. The trunk of the Asian elephant is also harder than the trunk of the African elephant.
