North African Elephant
The North African Elephant was a subspecies of the African Forest Elephant that was once found throughout North Africa. It was the elephant used by the Carthaginians in the Punic Wars.
The North African Elephant was smaller and more docile than its African savanna counterpart. It was driven to extinction in the 1st century BC due to a combination of hunting and habitat loss.
The extinction of the North African Elephant is a powerful example of the impact of human activity on wildlife.
North African Elephant
Classification
Mammalia > Proboscidea > Elephantidae > Loxodonta > L. africana pharaohensis
Native To
Conservation Status
Average Height
8 - 10 feet
(2.4 - 3 m)
Average Weight
6,000 - 11,000 lbs
(2,700 - 5,000 kg)
Average Life Span
60 - 70 years
Gestation Period
640 - 660 days
Did You Know?
The North African Elephant was a subspecies of the African bush elephant that is now extinct.
They were smaller than the modern African bush elephant, standing about 8 feet tall at the shoulder.
These elephants were famously used by Hannibal during the Punic Wars.
Their smaller size made them more suitable for training and handling in warfare compared to larger Asian elephants.
The North African Elephant was found across North Africa, from Morocco to Egypt, and into Sudan and Eritrea.
Their extinction is believed to be due to overhunting by Romans for their ivory and for use in arenas.
Despite their name, they were more closely related to the African bush elephant than the African forest elephant.
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