Home › Mammalia › Elephantidae › African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)
SPECIES PROFILE
African Forest Elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis)
Loxodonta
IUCN STATUS
Critically Endangered
CONSERVATION STATUS
Critically Endangered
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Central African rainforest
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Congo Basin rainforest
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Proboscidea
FAMILY
Elephantidae
GENUS
Loxodonta
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 2.5 m at shoulder; 2-4 tonnes
COLORATION
Grey with straighter, downward-pointing tusks
ADAPTATIONS
Smaller than savanna elephants; navigates dense forest
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Congo Basin rainforest
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Central African rainforest
REPRODUCTION
Single calf every 5-6 years
DIET DETAILS
Fruit, bark and leaves
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Ivory poaching, habitat loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
A distinct, smaller elephant of the rainforest, vital for spreading the seeds of forest trees.
2
It gathers at forest clearings called bais to drink mineral-rich water.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Loango National Park
Ivindo National Park
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-September
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch forest clearings (bais) from a hide; elephants gather to drink mineral-rich water.
