Elephant Shrews
Elephant Shrews
Macroscelididae
The Tiny Speedsters with a Misleading Name: Despite their name, Elephant Shrews (Macroscelididae) are neither elephants nor true shrews! These small, long-nosed mammals are actually more closely related to elephants, manatees, and aardvarks than to rodents or insectivores. Found across Africa’s forests, savannas, and deserts, they are famous for their incredible speed, agility, and secretive nature. Elephant Shrews, also called sengis, are tiny—usually no larger than a hamster—but don’t let their size fool you! They can reach speeds of up to 30 km/h (19 mph) and use a network of well-maintained trails to zip through the undergrowth, avoiding predators like snakes and birds of prey. Their long, flexible snouts help them sniff out insects, spiders, and other invertebrates, which they catch with lightning-fast reflexes. Unlike many small mammals, Elephant Shrews are monogamous, often forming lifelong pairs that share and defend a territory. They communicate through scent-marking rather than vocalizations and have relatively large brains for their size, helping them navigate their complex surroundings. One of the most fascinating aspects of Elephant Shrews is their evolutionary history. Once thought to be close relatives of shrews and hedgehogs, genetic studies revealed that they belong to the Afrotheria group, making them distant cousins of elephants! Though generally not endangered, some species, like the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, are threatened by habitat loss. Their elusive nature makes them difficult to study, but their survival highlights the diversity and wonder of Africa’s small mammals.