Tell them apart

African bush elephant and Asian elephant: how to tell them apart

African bush elephants and Asian elephants differ in the size of their ears and the projections at the tip of their trunks.

These are AI-created illustrations. Check the descriptions and sources below for fine details.

What to look for

African bush elephant: Its ears are larger than those of an Asian elephant.
University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web
Asian elephant: Its ears are smaller than those of an African bush elephant.
University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web

African bush elephant: The shoulders are the highest part of its body.
University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web
Asian elephant: The head is the highest part of its body.
University of Michigan Animal Diversity Web

African bush elephant: Finger-like projections sit on the upper and lower edges of its trunk tip.
Tama Zoological Park
Asian elephant: A finger-like projection sits on the upper edge of its trunk tip.
Ueno Zoological Gardens

Posture and viewing angle can make shapes harder to see. Watch from a distance and compare several features.

Sources