They are identified by their bright golden rump and their forehead which is covered by grizzled, stiff gold fur. Elephant shrew is more closely related to aardvarks, elephants, moles and tenrecs than to true shrews. Elephant shrews, also called sengi, are any of 16 species of rat-sized African mammals named for their long, tapered, and flexible snout (proboscis).

Before the 1990’s, the elephant shrew was classified with the Soricidae family, which included shrews. Facts Summary: The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) is a species of concern belonging in the species group "mammals" and found in the following area(s): Kenya.This species is also known by the following name(s): Golden-rumped Sengi. They are called elephant shrews because they have . Of the subpopulations of mammals evaluated by the IUCN, five species subpopulations have been assessed as endangered. Elephant shrew is small mammal that, despite its name, belongs to the group of animals called sengis. Threats and conservation. Elephant shrews are maybe the cutest of Africa’s ‘Little 5’ – a phrase coined to encourage interest in the smaller wonders of African wildlife beyond the Big 5 of elephants, lions, leopards, buffaloes and rhinos (other members of the Little 5 are ant lions, leopard tortoises, buffalo weavers and rhino beetles). of human diseases. Recent studies indicate that they are not closely related to shrews at all, but are in fact distantly related to elephants. While elephant shrews are not in immediate danger of extinction, they are being threatened by habitat fragmentation due to deforestation and human encroachment.

Consider too that an average elephant produces 250 pounds of manure a day. Also called sengis, elephant shrews are more closely related to elephants than to true shrews. Elephant dung, containing 50 percent of the original nutrients consumed, as their digestive systems are notoriously inefficient, sustains a platoon of wildlife believed to include monkeys, baboons, hornbills and mongoose as well as many insects, like dung beetles. Description. All tree shrews use nests of some sort. fullscreen. Although most sengis are not endangered (the golden-rumped elephant shrew is an exception), they are facing greater difficulties as their territories and habitats become fractured. Elephant shrews distribution is limited to highly fragmented forests, which limits their access to available resources and makes finding a mate more difficult, resulting in restricted populations. The golden-rumped elephant shrew is classified as endangered largely due to a fragmented forest environment and anthropogenic factors. Main Characteristics Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrews are one of the largest species of elephant shrew. See more ideas about Elephant shrew, Elephant, Animals. Of the 17 living species of elephant shrews, the short-eared elephant shrew is the smallest. Although they resemble shrews… The feet, ears and legs are black and the sparsely furred tail is predominantly black. Tree shrews of the subfamily Tupaiinae are diurnal, whereas the pen-tailed tree shrew is nocturnal. A short-eared elephant shrew was born May 8 at the Zoo's Small Mammal House. Elephant shrew, (order Macroscelidea), any of approximately 20 species of rat-sized African mammals named for their long, tapered, and flexible snout (proboscis). This status exists because it has several attributes normally associated with other animals. They have a body length between 27 and 29 cms (10.5 - 11.5 inches), a tail length between 23 and 26 cms (9 - 10 inches) and they weigh between 525 and 550 g (1.25 lbs). Diminutive elephant shrews and the mighty African Elephant share a home in Kenya’s threatened coastal forests. True False.

Elephant shrews live in large groups. However, several species of this amazing small animal exist.

All have slim bodies, slender limbs, and very long hind legs and feet. Elephant shrew, (order Macroscelidea), any of approximately 20 species of rat-sized African mammals named for their long, tapered, and flexible snout (proboscis). refresh Provjeri. All have slim bodies, slender limbs, and very long hind legs and feet. The Golden-rumped sengi is also known as “the elephant-shrew” which refers to the animals’ small size and extraordinarily long, flexible trunks. Despite their moniker, the elephant shrew is not actually a true shrew, only sharing superficial similarities with the animal.

If anything, they’re more closely related to the elephant than the latter species of their name. Despite their moniker, the elephant shrew is not actually a true shrew, only sharing superficial similarities with the animal.

Elephant shrews can survive in various habitats: jungles, forests, dense woodlands, shrublands, savannahs, open plains, grasslands, semi-arid areas, deserts and mountains. fullscreen. The Golden-rumped sengi is also known as “the elephant-shrew” which refers to the animals’ small size and extraordinarily long, flexible trunks. The golden-rumped elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) is a small African mammal.It is the largest species of the elephant shrew family along with its close relative the grey-faced sengi.It is classified as endangered. Recent studies indicate that they are not closely related to shrews at all, but are in fact distantly related to elephants.

The IUCN also lists 86 mammalian subspecies as endangered.