The African elephant belongs to the genus Loxodonta which means ‘oblique tooth’. The genus name Loxodonta was initially known as loxodont before an unknown author romanized the name to what it is today. This genus is only found in Africa. The African elephant is larger than the Asian elephant. Males are 3.6 m tall at the shoulder and weigh between 5,400 kg and 6,800 kg. Females are slightly shorter, measuring 3 m and weighing between 3,600 and 4,600 kg. They are herbivorous and feed on tree bark, grass, and any ordinary vegetation.

Elephants have four molars. Each molar weighs about 5 kg and is about 30 cm long. Two are placed at the front and the other two at the rear. When the strikers wear out, they fall apart. The rear pair changes to the front, and a new pair grows at the back. Elephants replace their teeth six times. At the age of forty to sixty, the tooth replacement cycle is complete. Now he becomes toothless and could starve.

Its fangs are the second pair of incisors that grow into horns. These incisors or fangs are used to dig up roots, fight each other during mating, and defend themselves against predators such as lions. The tusks weigh from 23 to 45 kg and can be 1.5 to 2.4 m long. Both male and female African elephants have tusks unlike Asian elephants. The enamel plates on the teeth of the African elephant are less numerous than those of the Asian elephant.