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Animals A to Z
Animal field guide

Elephant vs Tiger

Compare the same curated facts on both sides, with metric and imperial units together.

Side-by-side facts

Elephant vs Tiger

Field-guide comparison of Elephant and Tiger
Feature Elephant Tiger
Scientific nameLoxodonta africanaPanthera tigris
DietHerbivore (grazer)Carnivore
HabitatSavanna, forest & grasslandForests, mangroves & grassland
Typical lifespan60โ€“70 years10โ€“15 years
Typical adult weight2700โ€“6000 kg (5952.5โ€“13227.7 lb)90โ€“310 kg (198.4โ€“683.4 lb)
Typical body length250โ€“350 cm (98.4โ€“137.8 in)180โ€“280 cm (70.9โ€“110.2 in)
Recorded top speed40 km/h (24.9 mph)65 km/h (40.4 mph)
Social groupHerdSolitary

Figures are typical stored ranges, not limits for every individual, sex, subspecies or breed. Body length is nose-to-rump except for very tall species, where the field guide records height.

Direct answer

What the stored figures show

  • Tiger has the higher recorded top speed in this field guide.
  • Elephant has the higher upper adult-weight figure in the stored range.
  • Elephant has the higher upper body-length figure in the stored range.
  • Elephant has the higher upper lifespan figure in the stored range.

These figures describe different traits; they do not make either animal universally better.