Which elephant species has the largest ears?

The African bush elephant has the largest ears of any living elephant species. Its ears are much larger than those of the Asian elephant and the African forest elephant, helping it release heat in the hot African savanna.

The ears act like large cooling surfaces. They contain extensive networks of blood vessels close to the skin; as warm blood flows through them, heat can dissipate into the air. Flapping the ears creates additional air movement and improves cooling. This adaptation is particularly useful for an animal that can weigh several tonnes and generate substantial body heat.

The African bush elephant’s ears are also pointed and roughly triangular, while Asian elephant ears are smaller and more rounded. African forest elephants have smaller ears than their savanna relatives because they live in more shaded forest environments.

The African bush elephant, Loxodonta africana, is also the largest living land animal. Its large ears are therefore not merely a visual feature: they are an important part of its thermoregulatory system.