Rufous Elephant Shrew

Elephantulus rufescens

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Macroscelidea · Macroscelididae

About

The rufous elephant shrew, rufous sengi or East African long-eared elephant-shrew is a species of elephant shrew in the family Macroscelididae. Found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda, its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

Fun Fact

Rufous elephant shrews aren't true shrews at all — molecular studies place them in the superorder Afrotheria alongside elephants, making them more closely related to elephants than to actual shrews.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Dry savannas and scrublands

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

3-4 years

Threats

Overgrazing
Agricultural Conversion

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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