bush and forest elephants are nowadays generally considered to be two distinct species. the african forest elephant has a longer and narrower mandible, rounder ears, a different number of toenails, straighter and downward tusks, and considerably smaller size. with regard to the number of toenails: the african bush elephant normally has four toenails on the front foot and three on the hind foot, the african forest elephant normally has five toenails on the front foot and four on the hind foot (like the asian elephant). hybrids between the two species do occur.