In honor of World Animal Day, which is held each year on October 4, new research crowned the African Elephant as the ultimate victor in an epic, artificial intelligence (AI) simulated battle.

Conducted by Animal Matchup, the research has harnessed the power of AI to settle the age-old debate, determining which animal would win in a fight against any other animal.

Using inputs such as size, weight, strength, speed, offensive, and defensive capabilities, the AI simulations closely mimicked real-world scenarios. Each animal’s unique attributes were analyzed, allowing for a fair and accurate assessment of their strength.

Although it’s very difficult to know how some animals would react to others, AI and researchers try to make educated guesses about how combat will play out. Out of the 256 animals considered in the simulation, the African Elephant emerged victorious in the final round, defeating the formidable Siberian Tiger.

African Elephant: 8 wins

Won against: Capybara, Rhesus Monkey, African Rock Python, Malayan Tiger, Cassowary, Colossal Squid, Saltwater Crocodile, Siberian Tiger

Lost against: None

The African Elephant—known for its immense size, strength, and intelligence—displayed superior offensive and defensive capabilities throughout the simulation, leading to its ultimate triumph. This victory solidifies the African Elephant’s place as the king of the animal kingdom, showcasing its dominance even against highly skilled predators like the Siberian Tiger.

Siberian Tiger: 7 wins

Won against: Galapagos Tortoise, Wandering Albatross, Clouded Leopard, Sperm Whale , Bald Eagle, Leopard, Hippopotamus

Lost against: African Elephant

The Siberian Tiger, a fierce and agile predator, secured seven wins in the simulation. It displayed exceptional combat prowess, defeating several formidable foes but ultimately succumbed to the overwhelming might of the African Elephant in the final bout.

Saltwater Crocodile: 6 Wins

Won against: Bull Shark, Orca, Humboldt Squid, Harpy Eagle, American Alligator, Tiger Shark
Lost against: African Elephant

With six victories to its name, the Saltwater Crocodile displayed its aquatic supremacy. It overcame adversaries like the Bull Shark, Orca, and Tiger Shark, emphasizing its powerful bite and territorial dominance. However, it met its match against the African Elephant in the ultimate showdown.

Hippopotamus: 6 Wins

Won against: Baird’s Tapir, American Black Bear, Hammerhead Shark, Mako Shark, Great White Shark, Polar Bear

Lost against: Siberian Tiger

Despite its seemingly docile appearance, the Hippopotamus emerged victorious in six battles, showcasing its deceptively powerful bite and territorial nature. Surprisingly agile and equipped with a formidable bite, it vanquished notable opponents like the Polar Bear and the Great White Shark. Its journey came to an end against the Siberian Tiger in the final round.

Leopard: 5 Wins

Won against: Hobo Spider, Jungle Cat, Mountain Gorilla, Southern Elephant Seal, Moose

Lost against: Siberian Tiger.

The Leopard’s agility and stealth earned it five victories. It showcased its predatory excellence by defeating challengers like the Mountain Gorilla and the Moose. Unfortunately, it could not overcome the Siberian Tiger in the final clash.

Tiger Shark: 5 Wins

Won against: Eyelash Viper, Ocelot, Electric Eel, Snow Leopard, Nile Crocodile

Lost against: Saltwater Crocodile

With five wins, the Tiger Shark exhibited its dominance in aquatic environments. Its victories over the Snow Leopard and the Nile Crocodile demonstrated its versatility, but it ultimately fell short against the Saltwater Crocodile.

Polar Bear: 5 Wins

Won against: Gaboon Viper, Monitor Lizard, Giant Otter, Wild Water Buffalo, Inland Taipan

Lost against: Hippopotamus

The Polar Bear’s adaptation to harsh Arctic conditions translated into five wins. Its victories against formidable creatures like the Wild Water Buffalo and the Gaboon Viper underscored its prowess in extreme environments. However, it yielded to the might of the Hippopotamus in the final battle.

Colossal Squid: 5 Wins

Won against: Black Caiman, Crocodile Monitor, Chimpanzee, Gaur, Wolverine

Lost against: African Elephant.

The depths of the ocean unveiled the Colossal Squid’s strength as it secured five victories. Its size and tentacle-based attacks made it a formidable contender, though it could not triumph over the African Elephant.

Nile Crocodile: 5 Wins

Won against: Red-Bellied Piranha, Striped Hyena, Bornean Orangutan, White Rhinoceros

Lost against: Tiger Shark.

The Nile Crocodile’s victories against formidable adversaries like the Striped Hyena and the White Rhinoceros attested to its dominance in its habitat. Nevertheless, it was outmatched by the Tiger Shark in the simulation.

Cassowary: 4 Wins

Won against: Grevy’s Zebra, Meerkat, Olive Baboon, Bonobo
Lost against: African Elephant

The Cassowary, with four victories, demonstrated its prowess among avian contenders. Its powerful legs and dagger-like claws led to wins against formidable opponents like the Olive Baboon and the Bonobo. However, it ultimately succumbed to the might of the African Elephant in the fifth round.

“One key aspect to note is that this study has defined strength in absolute terms, not relative to body size. This distinction is crucial, as it avoids the potential misconception that smaller animals with remarkable proportional strength, such as certain insects, could be some of the most powerful animals on the planet,” said Dr. Arjun Dheer, a wildlife scientist who works with Animal Matchup. “These findings align with our understanding of the African Elephant’s impressive attributes. Their immense size—combined with their strength and intelligence—has long placed them at the pinnacle of combat ability in the animal kingdom. They are not only formidable in terms of physical strength but also exhibit remarkable social behaviors and problem-solving abilities, making them a truly iconic species.”

Methodology

The simulation was engineered utilizing the chatGPT API to analyze each animal’s distinctive attributes—size, weight, strength, speed, offensive, and defensive capabilities—creating an arena where these magnificent creatures clashed in the closest approximation to real-world scenarios. For each matchup, the team ran a series of 11 battles and advanced the animal with the highest win rate.

“The study’s methodology—which employed AI simulations to determine the outcomes of battles among a wide array of animals—provides a thought-provoking approach to exploring the dynamics of the animal kingdom,” Dheer concluded. “While it’s essential to acknowledge that real-world interactions between animals are multifaceted and influenced by numerous variables, such simulations offer a valuable glimpse into hypothetical scenarios.”