The Asian elephant, Elephas maximus, is genetically closer to the extinct mammath than to the African elephant. There are three subspecies of Asian elephants:

• Sri Lankan, Elephas maximus maximus, is grey with large areas of dipigmentation.
• It weighs between 3 and 5 tons and is between 6 and 11.5 feet.
• Mainland, Elephas maximus indicus, is a lighter grey.
• It weighs between 2.5 and 4.5 tons and is between 6 and 9 feet.
• Sumatran, Elephas maximus sumatranus
• It weighs between 2 and 4 tons and is between 6 and 7.5 feet.