savanna elephant

noun

variants or savannah elephant

: an African elephant of sub-Saharan savannas that is sometimes considered a species (Loxodonta africana) or subspecies (Loxodonta africana africana) distinct from the forest elephant

Biologists know a great deal about the savanna elephant, the world's largest land mammal, which is easy to spot and easy to monitor. But the forest elephants … are smaller, more elusive creatures.

—Peter Canby, Harper's, July 2002

Word History

First Known Use

1940, in the meaning defined above

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