Rufous elephant shrew (Elephantulus rufescens)

Rufous elephant shrews are small mouse-like animals found on the plains, savannas and forest floors of east Africa. Their long mobile snouts can be moved around much like an elephant's trunk in their endless search for ants, termites and worms. These shrews are escape specialists: they make a series of pathways away from their nests which they shoot down rapidly at the first signs of a predator.

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About the Rufous elephant shrew

The Rufous Elephant-shrew or Rufous Sengi (Elephantulus rufescens) is a species of elephant shrew in the Macroscelididae family. It is found in Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. Its natural habitats are dry savanna and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.

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Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animal (animalia)

Phylum: Chordate (Chordata)

Class: Mammal (Mammalia)

Order: Macroscelidea

Family: Macroscelididae

Genus: Elephantulus

Species: Rufous Elephant Shrew (rufescens)

Common Names

  • East African long-eared elephant shrew
  • Rufous sengi

The Rufous elephant shrew is

Adaptation data provided by Animal Diversity Web

Where can I see them?

They can be found in the following habitats:

Conservation Status

The Rufous elephant shrew is Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Population trend: Stable

Year assessed: 2008

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