What instrument is predominantly used to represent "The Elephant" in "Carnival of the Animals"?

In "Carnival of the Animals" by Camille Saint-Saëns, the "Elephant" is primarily represented by the double bass. This choice is particularly effective due to the instrument's deep and resonant sound, which evokes the large and heavy nature of an elephant. The low range of the double bass allows it to produce a sound that is both powerful and somewhat lumbering, perfectly aligning with the characteristics of an elephant.

Saint-Saëns creatively employs the double bass to convey a sense of weight and grandeur associated with the animal. In contrast, the other instruments mentioned, such as the flute, clarinet, and piano, have different tonal qualities and ranges that would not be as suitable for representing the imposing figure of an elephant. The flute, for instance, has a light and airy sound, while the clarinet offers a different timbre that is more agile and lyrical. The piano, while versatile, lacks the low-end depth that the double bass provides in this particular context. Thus, the double bass is the ideal instrument for capturing the essence of "The Elephant" in this musical suite.