Elephant Species  Two Separate Species, African and   There are
several anatomical and behavioral differences between Asian and
African elephants and also many similarities. Most noticeable is
the difference in ears. Africans have huge ears shaped much like
the continent of Africa. (One ear from a bull African elephant
weighs more than 100 pounds.) Asians, who live in cooler forest
areas, have smaller ears. Asians have rounded backs and
relatively smooth skin. Africans display a sway back and very
wrinkled skin.  Among Asian elephants, only males grow long
incisor teeth called tusks, and not all males have them. (This
is why ivory poaching has not been a tremendous problem for
Asian elephants.) African elephants of both sexes generally (but
not always) exhibit tusks.  An Asian elephant trunkThe trunks
are also slightly different. Asian elephants have one small
finger-like projection at the end of the trunk. African
elephants have two "fingers." These "fingers" are very sensitive
and make it possible for these