Which recognized Asian elephant subspecies is the largest?

The largest recognized Asian elephant subspecies is the Sri Lankan elephant.

The Sri Lankan elephant, Elephas maximus maximus, is endemic to Sri Lanka and is generally larger than the Indian and Sumatran subspecies. It is also typically darker, with prominent areas of depigmentation on the ears, face, trunk and belly. Like other Asian elephants, it has a single finger-like projection at the end of its trunk.

Three subspecies are traditionally recognized: the Sri Lankan elephant, the Indian elephant and the Sumatran elephant. A Borneo elephant is sometimes discussed as a possible fourth subspecies, but its taxonomic status remains less settled; it is notably smaller than the other forms. That is why “Sri Lankan” is the canonical answer when a quiz asks for the largest recognized subspecies.

The question concerns subspecies within the Asian elephant species, not all elephant species. African bush elephants are larger overall, so the Sri Lankan elephant should not be confused with the largest elephant species. Sri Lankan elephants also face threats from habitat loss, fragmentation and conflict with people.