What is the scientific name of the African bush elephant, the largest living land animal?

The scientific name of the African bush elephant is Loxodonta africana.

This species is the largest of the three living elephant species and is native to much of sub-Saharan Africa. It is also called the African savanna elephant, although “African bush elephant” is widely used to distinguish it from the smaller African forest elephant.

Its genus name, Loxodonta, refers to the diamond-shaped ridges on its molar teeth. The species name africana identifies its African distribution. The Asian elephant belongs to a different genus, Elephas, so Elephas maximus is not an alternative name for this animal.

African bush elephants live in varied habitats, including grasslands, woodland and open savanna. Adult males can exceed 6,000 kilograms, and their large ears help release heat. Their social groups are usually led by an experienced female known as a matriarch.