Black and Rufous Elephant Shrew

Rhynchocyon petersi

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Mammalia · Macroscelidea · Macroscelididae

About

The black and rufous sengi, the black and rufous elephant shrew, or the Zanj elephant shrew is one of the 17 species of elephant shrew found only in Africa. It is native to the lowland montane and dense forests of Kenya and Tanzania. Like other members of the genus Rhynchocyon, it is a relatively large species, with adults averaging about 28 cm (11 in) in length and 450–700 g (16–25 oz) in weight.

Fun Fact

Black and rufous elephant shrews are neither elephants nor shrews — they are sengis, in the Afrotheria superorder, and they can run at 28 km/h through cleared trail systems they maintain like tiny forest highways.

Quick Facts

Habitat

Tropical forests

Diet

Insectivore

Lifespan

4-5 years

Threats

Small Population Size
Illegal Logging
Habitat Fragmentation
Wildfire

External Data Sources

Recent sightings on iNaturalist IUCN Red List profile

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