1 Ears The African elephant’s ears are much bigger than those of its Asian cousin, extending above the shoulder. It’s said that the former’s ears are the same shape as Africa, while the latter’s look like India.
2 Tusks Both male and female African elephants grow long tusks, but only male Asian elephants do (and not all males). Some female Asian elephants grow ‘tushes’ – barely visible, stumpy tusks.
3 Head African elephants have more rounded foreheads, while Asian elephants have twin domes on their heads with an indent in the middle.
4 Trunk The tip of an African elephant’s trunk has two fingers or ‘lips’; the Asian elephant’s trunk only has one.
5 Back While the African elephant’s back is concave (with a small hollow in it), the Asian elephant’s is convex (slightly domed).
6 Size In general, African elephants are larger. Adult males weigh up to six tonnes, while male Asian elephants usually weigh no more than five tonnes.