What is the largest mammal on land?
At present, there is no doubt that the African Elephant Loxodonta africana is the largest land mammal. Adult bulls are estimated to weigh 5.5-6 metric tonnes, and have a shoulder height of 3.2 m. A large male shot in 1955 in Angola had a shoulder height of 4 m, and was estimated to weigh 10 tonnes (R.N. Owen-Smith 1988 Megaherbivores; Cambridge U.P.) The animal is in the Smithsonian Museum, Washington, and as mounted has a shoulder height of 13′ 2″ (4.0 m). Other large bulls, with shoulder heights over 11′ (3.3 m), have been reported (G. Wood 1976 Guiness Book of Animal Facts and Feats). The Indian Elephant Elephas maximus is both its nearest relative and nearest rival; because it is kept in captivity more frequently, it is also easier to get reliable weights. Owen-Smith suggests a weight of 5.4 tonnes and a shoulder height of 3.2m as the maximum for a bull. A captive bull in Mysore weighed 6,198 kg and had a shoulder height of 3.1m (Wood 1976). Much more interesting is the identity of
