# Sumatran elephant vs Bornean elephant: the differences

> How do the Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) differ? Classification, features, range, diet, size, IUCN status and legal protection, from cited sources.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/differences/sumatran-elephant-vs-bornean-elephant/ · Updated 1 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/perbedaan/gajah-sumatera-dan-gajah-kalimantan/
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The Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) and the Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) share the species Elephas maximus but belong to different subspecies groups: Elephas maximus sumatranus and Elephas maximus borneensis. Range in Indonesia — the Sumatran elephant: Forested landscapes in Sumatra; the Bornean elephant: North Kalimantan (Nunukan, near the Sabah border).

| Aspect | [Sumatran elephant](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/sumatran-elephant/) | [Bornean elephant](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/bornean-elephant/) |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Elephas maximus sumatranus | Elephas maximus borneensis |
| Indonesian name | Gajah Sumatera | Gajah Kalimantan |
| Class | Mammalia | Mammalia |
| Order | Proboscidea | Proboscidea |
| Family | Elephantidae | Elephantidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Forested landscapes in Sumatra | North Kalimantan (Nunukan, near the Sabah border) |
| Endemic to Indonesia | Yes | No |
| Diet | A variety of plants | — |
| Diet type | herbivore (plant-eater) | herbivore (plant-eater) |
| Reproduction | giving birth to live young (viviparous) | giving birth to live young (viviparous) |
| IUCN status | Critically Endangered | Endangered — subspecies, 2024 assessment |
| Legal protection | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) | Protected (Regulation P.106/2018) |

Every cell comes from the sourced data on each animal’s page.