Elephant Shrew

Elephantulus

Last updated: March 22, 2023
Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
© Joey Makalintal / Creative Commons / Original

Found exclusively on the African continent!


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Elephant Shrew Scientific Classification

Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Macroscelidea
Family
Macroscelididae
Genus
Elephantulus
Scientific Name
Elephantulus

Read our Complete Guide to Classification of Animals.

Elephant Shrew Conservation Status

Elephant Shrew Locations

Elephant Shrew Locations

Elephant Shrew Facts

Main Prey
Insects, Worms, Spiders
Distinctive Feature
Long nose and long back legs
Habitat
Forest, woodland and grassland
Predators
Snakes, Lizards, Birds of Prey
Diet
Omnivore
Average Litter Size
2
Lifestyle
  • Solitary
Favorite Food
Insects
Type
Mammal
Slogan
Found exclusively on the African continent!

Elephant Shrew Physical Characteristics

Color
  • Brown
  • Grey
  • Black
  • White
  • Tan
Skin Type
Fur
Top Speed
8 mph
Lifespan
2 - 5 years
Weight
50g - 500g (2oz - 18oz)
Length
10cm - 30cm (4in - 12in)

View all of the Elephant Shrew images!



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You would never guess it by looking at them, but elephant shrews are more closely related to elephants than shrews. 

Elephant shrews are small, furry mammals that resemble giant mice or gerbils. In spite of their name, they are not actually shrews, and despite their appearance, they are not rodents either. Elephant shrews are most closely related to moles and tenrecs.

Elephant Shrew Facts

  • Elephant shrews can jump three feet into the air, giving them the nickname ‘jumping shrew.’
  • They are known to thrive in the Namib Desert, which is one of the driest places in the world.
  • Elephant shrews are only found in Africa.
  • Female elephant shrews menstruate similarly to human females.
  • Elephant shrews can live up to four years and are ready to reproduce at six weeks old.

Scientific Name

There are approximately 20 different species of these shrews, but they all belong to the family Macroscelididae. The name is derived from the Greek words “macro,” meaning “long,” and “skelidos,” meaning “legs.” All elephant shrews have very long and powerful legs relative to the small size of their bodies, so this is a fitting name.

Elephant shrews can belong to all of the following genera: 

  • Elephantulus, meaning “elephant-like”
  • Macroscelides, meaning “long legs”
  • Petrodromus, meaning “rock runner,” from the Greek words “petra,” meaning “rock,” and “dromas,” meaning “to run”
  • Petrosaltator, meaning “rock hopper,” from the Greek word “petra” and the Latin word “saltare,” meaning “to jump or hop”
  • Rhynchocyon, meaning “dog snout,” is from the Greek words “rhyncho,” meaning “snout,” and “cyon,” meaning “dog”

Other common non-scientific names for this type of animal are “jumping shrew” and “sengi.” They are known as the elephant shrew most commonly due to their long snout.



Evolution And Origin

The elephant shrew has been recognized as a distinct species since the 1950s, although they were originally thought to be related to insectivores and tree shrews it is now believed that they are more closely related to an ancient group that gave way to elephants and aardvarks. While their history may be confined to Africa, it dates back 41.3 million to 33.9 million years ago, during the late Eocene era.

Types Of

There are approximately 20 species of elephant shrews, all endemic to Africa, that belong to 6 different genera. Each species is located in a different region. The 6 genera are:

  • Genus Elephantulus – this includes 8 species, of which one is the short-snouted elephant shrew.
  • Genus Galegeeska – 2 species are in this genus, the Somali and the rufous elephant shrews.
  • Genus Macroscelides – 3 species are here, including the Round-eared elephant shrew.
  • Genus Petrodromus – the four-toed elephant shrew is in this genus
  • Genus Petrosaltator – the North African elephant shrew is found in this genus
  • Genus Rhynchocyon – 5 species are found in this genus, including the golden-rumped elephant shrew.

Appearance And Behavior

animals with big noses: elephant shrew

Elephant shrews are diurnal, which means they sleep at night and are active during the day.

©iStock.com/belizar73

These shrews are quite small and typically only grow to be four to twelve inches in length, not counting their tails. An elephant shrew’s tail can grow up to nine inches in length. The largest species of this shrew can weigh up to one and a half pounds, but most species weigh less than a pound. To put this in perspective, this means that the average elephant shrew weighs about as much as a large can of soup.

In general, these shrews have short, stiff, and glossy fur similar to rodents like mice, and their coloring often depends on the species. They can sport black, grey, brown, white, tan, or golden fur, and certain species have checkered coats with multiple colors.

They have scaly tails, powerful hind legs, long feet, and long, thin snouts that are similar enough to an elephant’s trunk to give them their colloquial name. Their long, flexible snouts, along with their large eyes and ears, allow them to hunt for insects and escape predators.

Their long hind legs allow them to jump up to three feet in the air, similar to rabbits, and this is where the nickname “jumping shrew” comes from.

These shrews are extremely active and considered diurnal, which means they sleep at night and are awake during the day.

Habitat

These shrews belong to a special group of mammals known as Afrotheria, which means that they are of African origin. They can be seen in zoos, but they only live in the wilds of Africa.

In particular, they can be found in savannahs, stone deserts, and arid steppes of the continent. The Namib Desert, which is famous for being one of the driest places in the world, is one of the locations where they are known to flourish although shrews can also be found in the tropical forests of East Africa.

Diet

These animals are mainly insectivores, but they may also eat leaves, fruits, and seeds. Spiders, termites, ants, worms, centipedes, and millipedes are their diet of choice.

They use their proboscis-like noses together with their paws to clear small paths on the ground so that they can lure insects close. They have exceptional senses of sight, hearing, and smell, and this helps them to both search for food and escape predators.

These shrews have long, skinny tongues like an anteater, and this helps them to hunt and eat insects more easily.

Predators And Threats

Because they are so small, these shrews face numerous predators, including lizards, snakes, and various birds of prey. While it’s also true that any carnivorous or omnivorous type of animal would prey upon the little elephant shrew, the truth is that they are difficult to catch.

These shrews are well-adapted to their habitats. Not only are they masterfully camouflaged by their coloring, but they are also very speedy and nimble. Most elephant shrews can run up to 18 miles per hour and leap three feet into the air.

More than predators, the biggest threat to the shrew comes from the loss of habitat. Deforestation and the habitat fragmentation that comes with agriculture and logging both have had a devastating impact on the elephant shrew population.

They are listed as “not extinct,” but their conservation status is generally considered endangered. The two species of these shrews that are considered the most threatened are the gray-faced sengi, which was only discovered in 2005, and the golden-rumped elephant shrew, which is officially listed as endangered. 

Reproduction, Babies, And Lifespan

Elephant shrew - Macroscelides proboscideus - isolated on white

Elephant shrew – Macroscelides proboscideus – has a relatively short lifespan, only living about 2 years in the wild.

©Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com

These animals have relatively short lifespans, so they reach sexual maturity at an early age. Most elephant shrews live only two years in the wild and up to four years in captivity.

One unusual trait of these shrews is that the females have menstrual cycles that are very similar to those of human females. Most mammals are only sexually viable during certain times of the year, so frequent menstruation means that they are able to birth multiple litters annually. Another uncommon trait is that elephant shrews mate for life, and these couples fiercely defend their territory.

Gestation ranges from 45 to 60 days, and a typical healthy litter contains no more than three babies. It is common for female shrews to give birth to only one or two babies at a time.

Within a week of giving birth, babies are weaned from their mothers and are ready to explore their surroundings. By day 15 they are ready to migrate away from the nest. The young elephant shrews will become sexually active after about 45 days and establish their own nests far away from their parents.

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About the Author

Melissa Bauernfeind was born in NYC and got her degree in Journalism from Boston University. She lived in San Diego for 10 years and is now back in NYC. She loves adventure and traveling the world with her husband but always misses her favorite little man, "P", half Chihuahua/half Jack Russell, all trouble. She got dive-certified so she could dive with the Great White Sharks someday and is hoping to swim with the Orcas as well.

Elephant Shrew FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

What is an elephant shrew?

An elephant shrew, also commonly known as a jumping shrew or a sengi, is a small, rat-sized mammal that is native to Africa.

The name “elephant shrew” is derived from the animal’s long, thin and flexible snout, which is said to resemble an elephant’s trunk.

Elephant shrews are a part of what is known as Africa’s “Little 5,” a phrase used to call attention to some of the smaller, lesser-known African wildlife. This name is meant to contrast the so-called “Big 5,” which includes lions, elephantsrhinos, leopards, and buffaloes.

Are elephant shrews carnivores, herbivores, or omnivores?

Elephant shrews are considered omnivores. Their diet primarily consists of insects such as ants, termites, worms, spiders, centipedes, and millipedes, but they are also known to feast on plant matter, fruits, and seeds that they are able to find near their nests.

Female elephant shrews will also store mashed food in their cheek pouches to feed to their young once they have begun to wean themselves from her milk.

Why do elephant shrews have long noses?

The long, thin, and flexible nose of an elephant shrew is technically called a proboscis. An elephant shrew’s snout is used to help it hunt for food and escape predators. It is also a helpful tool that can be used to clear little pathways that the elephant shrew uses to lure insects and quickly run away from danger.

Elephant shrews also have long tongues like anteaters, and having a thin, elongated snout allows them to use their long tongues to flick small insects into their mouths.

Can elephant shrews be pets?

Despite their cute and cuddly appearance, elephant shrews are wild animals that can only survive and thrive in Africa or in carefully controlled captive environments like zoos and conservation centers.

Besides this, they are also an endangered species, and this makes them unsuitable and illegal to have as pets.

Instead of an elephant shrew, consider adopting a mouse, rat, gerbil, hamster or chinchilla.

Are elephant shrews related to elephants?

Believe it or not, the tiny, furry elephant shrew is more closely related to its massive namesake than it is to actual shrews. Researchers have noted that the elephant shrew shares much of its genetic material with elephants.

Interestingly enough, even though it is called a shrew, the elephant shrew is not related to shrews at all. This is why they are more commonly referred to as sengis. “Sengi” is a Swahili word, and it denotes them as a species completely separate from shrews.

Are elephant shrews dangerous to humans?

You might have heard that shrew bites are venomous to humans, and this is true. While a bite from a shrew is unpleasant, the venom is not typically lethal to humans. However, the good news is that elephant shrews are not a part of the shrew family, so they do not carry the same venomous bite.

Generally speaking, elephant shrews do not pose much danger to humans. Sengis tend to shy away from anything that could be considered dangerous or predatory, so they do not interact with humans much at all.

What Kingdom do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the Kingdom Animalia.

What phylum do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the phylum Chordata.

What class do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the class Mammalia.

What family do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the family Macroscelididae.

What order do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the order Macroscelidea.

What genus do Elephant Shrews belong to?

Elephant Shrews belong to the genus Elephantulus.

What type of covering do Elephant Shrews have?

Elephant Shrews are covered in Fur.

In what type of habitat do Elephant Shrews live?

Elephant Shrews live in forests, woodlands, and grasslands.

What is the main prey for Elephant Shrews?

Elephant Shrews prey on insects, worms, and spiders.

What are some distinguishing features of Elephant Shrews?

Elephant Shrews have long noses and long back legs.

What are some predators of Elephant Shrews?

Predators of Elephant Shrews include snakes, lizards, and birds of prey.

What is the average litter size for an Elephant Shrew?

The average litter size for an Elephant Shrew is 2.

What is an interesting fact about Elephant Shrews?

Elephant Shrews are found exclusively on the African continent!

What is the scientific name for the Elephant Shrew?

The scientific name for the Elephant Shrew is Elephantulus.

What is the lifespan of an Elephant Shrew?

Elephant Shrews can live for 2 to 5 years.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources
  1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife
  2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals
  3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia
  4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species
  5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals
  6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals
  7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

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