How does the number of trunk-tip projections differ between African and Asian elephants?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

elephant African savanna elephant (Loxodonta africana).

The number of flaplike projections at the terminal end of the trunk is a key physical difference used to distinguish between these mammals.

African elephants have two such projections—one located above and one below—which allow them to use a "pinch" method to pick up objects, similar to how a human uses a thumb and index finger. In contrast, Asian elephants possess only one of these projections. Consequently, Asian elephants typically use a "grasp" method, curling the tip of the trunk around an item to pick it up.123