Palaeoloxodon (Ancient Witness by Haolonggood)

Palaeoloxodon is both among the largest AND smallest known proboscideans. The genera P. recki, P. antiquus, and P. namadicus reached a weight in excess of 29,000 lbs. (13,154 kg) while the species P. cypriotes and P. falconer were restricted to islands and only reached about 550 lbs. (250 kg). For comparison, bull African elephants weigh 10,000 to 15,000 lbs. (4,500 to 6,800 kg). Some have even suggested that Palaeoloxodon was the largest ever terrestrial mammal, but evidence for the claim is minimal.

Palaeoloxodon lived in the Early Pleistocene–Holocene, originating in Africa and eventually populating Eurasia. Figures of the genus include a Dinotales figure by Kaiyodo and the highly revered Eofauna model. In 2026, Haolonggood released their model of Palaeoloxodon antiquus. This is the same species that Eofauna made while Kaiyodo’s represented P. naumanni. P. antiquus lived during the Mid-Late Pleistocene in Europe and Western Asia in temperate and Mediterranean forests. They likely lived as extant elephants do today and evidence shows that they were hunted and/or scavenged by early humans.

The Haolonggood Palaeoloxodon measures 9” (22.86 cm) from tusk-to-tail and has a shoulder height of 4” (10.16 cm). The actual P. antiquus reached an average shoulder height of 13’ (4 meters). Using shoulder height puts the figure at 1/39 in scale and to get a scale of 1/35 it would have to be scaled down from a specimen standing about 11.5’ at the shoulder. This is acceptable but also a bit disappointing. When it comes to the largest known elephant species, you want your model to represent the largest known specimens.

The figure is presented in a subtly dynamic pose, striding forward with the left forelimb bent at the wrist. The head is inquisitively tilted rightwards, and the tail is swishing towards the left. The trunk is lifted and curling upwards and pointing slightly leftwards. The exceptionally long tusks curve gently outwards and then back in, with the tips almost touching.

All the hallmarks of Palaeoloxodon are here and includes the parieto-occipital crest atop the head, which overhangs the skull somewhat and in life would have likely served as a muscle anchor. The ears are small and similar to an Asian elephant’s in shape. They’re speculative and reconstructions of their size and shape vary. The forelimbs appear long, thanks to a proportionally long humerus and scapula. This causes the sloping back to be irregular in shape and a ridge along the back indicates the tall vertebra. The body is broadly built, especially at the hips.

The skin appears taught over the back and more saggy along the sides and belly, with plenty of deep folds and wrinkles throughout. The head is slightly shrink-wrapped and the eyes sunken, and it looks excellent. I also appreciate how thin the ears are along their wavy edges. The trunk is thick, wrinkled, and appears muscular, with a single “finger” at the tip, matching the Asian elephant’s trunk more so than the African’s, with their two-fingered trunk. The tusks are mostly smooth but faint grooves along their length can be discerned. The forelimbs have five digits and the hindlimbs have four and the feet are wide and amply padded. The thin tail has a small tuft of hair at its tip.

This Palaeoloxodon comes in two colors, brown and gray. For my collection I went with the gray one, but I had no real preference. This gray variant is painted in various gray tones with some brown along the edges of the ears, along the trunk, down the throat and belly, and on the inner surface of the limbs and around the limb joints. The blended grays and brown help the fine details stand out. The tusks are ivory colored with dark bases and a dark wash over them that makes them appear worn, used, and lifelike. The toenails are white and the inside of the mouth is pink. The shiny eyes are brown with black pupils. The paintjob and its application are exceptional, but the model as a whole has a shine to it that detracts somewhat from its realism.

Obviously, people are going to want to know how this figure compares to Eofauna’s and I have to be honest, although I don’t have the Eofauna model, I think Eofauna’s is better. Eofauna is unmatched when it comes to prehistoric mammals and proboscideans are their specialty. Any company making extinct elephants will be hard pressed to match them. The Eofauna model is bigger, more impressive, and more lifelike. That said, Haolonggood has done an admirable job with their Palaeoloxodon, and it costs about $10 less than Eofauna’s.

I would say, if you have a particular love for proboscideans, spend the extra money and get the Eofauna model. If, like me, they aren’t a priority for your collection, then the Haolonggood model will suit you just fine. If you like herd building, I imagine the two would display together rather well. Whatever your preference I’m sure we can agree, it’s nice to have options. Hopefully some other Palaeoloxodon species are on the horizon!