Elephant Shrew

Animals Unique | Elephant Shrew | The elephant shrews is a small-sized mammal found exclusively That Is in Africa. The elephant shrews is also known as the jumping shrews, elephant shrews as can hop like rabbits using Their long back legs.

Elephant shrews can be found inhabiting forests, jungles, grasslands and dense woodland all across Africa. There are nearly 20 different species of elephant shrews, all of the which Vary in both color and size.

Elephant shrews are known as insectivores as They survive on a diet solely comprised of That Is insects. Despite Their name and similar appearance, elephant shrews are not thought to be directly related to shrews Their cousins ​​in other parts of the world.

Elephant shrews are very active animals and are always out hunting for food during the day. Due to the diurnal lifestyle of the elephant shrews, it has learned to live it's life in the most Successful Airways possible. Elephant shrews are very wary and well camouflaged animals, and are Able to run away from danger extremely Quickly.

A number of species of elephant shrews make a series of cleared pathways through the undergrowth and spend Their days patrolling them for insect life. The pathways also give the elephant shrews a clear-run home should it Become disturbed by a potential predator.

Although elephant shrews are omnivorous animals, the diet of an elephant shrews is nearly completely made up from insects. The elephants shrews worms and grubs Hunts from out of the ground, spiders That run along the ground and That insects are found all around it.

Due to the small size of the elephant shrews, it has a number of natural predators in the wild. Snakes, lizards, birds of prey and omnivorous Mammals all prey on the elephant shrews, elephant shrews but the is not the easiest meal to try and catch.

Female elephant shrews give birth to more than one litter of babies every year. The baby elephant shrews are born after a gestation period can be That Between 1 and 2 months long. Baby elephant shrews are well-developed when They are first born but REMAIN in the nest for a few days before They begin to head in the big wide world.

Elephant Shrew Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Macroscelidea
Family: Macroscelididae
Genus: Elephantulus
Scientific Name: Elephantulus
Type: Mammal
Diet: omnivore
Size (L): 10cm - 30cm (4in - 12in)
Weight: 50g - 500g (2oz - 18oz)
Top Speed: 13km / h (8mph)
Life Span: 2-5 years
Lifestyle: Solitary
Conservation Status: Least Concern
Colour: Black, Brown, Grey, White, Tan
Skin Type: Fur
Favourite Food: Insects
Habitat: Forest, Woodland and Grassland
Average Litter Size: 2
Main Prey: Insects, Worms, Spiders
Predators: Snakes, Lizards, Birds of Prey
Distinctive Features: Long nose and long back legs