Macroscelides proboscideus
short-eared elephant-shrew
(Also: short-eared sengi)

The short-eared elephant shrew mostly inhabits Namibia, southern Botswana, and South Africa.

(Shaw, 1983)

The animal only lives in desert and semi-desert areas of the countries in which it is found. It hides in the sparse grass cover or bushes that are a part of these dry areas. They also burrow into the sand.

(Smith, 1829)

Compared to members of the other elephant shrew genus, the short-eared elephant shrew has shorter and rounder ears and lacks the pale rings around the eyes that are typical of those animals. The tail is hairy, with a visible gland on the underside. On the hind feet, the first digit is small and has a claw. The fur is usually long, soft, and is an orange, brown or grayish color on top and a lighter color on the underside. Adults often weigh between 40-50 grams with 100-110mm long bodies and 97-130mm long tails. Defining skull features include an enlarged auditory bullae and the appearance of three upper incisors, as well as a short rostrum and crowded teeth. Females also have six mammae.

(Rathbun & Fons) (Unger, online)

In the wild, these animals only live for 1-2 years. In captivity they can live as long as 3-4 years.

(Unger, online)

These animals are mostly diurnal except when threatened by predators. They are usually solitary animals in the wild except when they come together to mate. When mating, females fend off other females and males fight off other males.

These elephant shrews take refuge under bush or rocks but also dig burrows or use shelters previously built by other small species, typically rodents. The animals use the burrows like roads to get from place to place. They keep them clean by kicking any debris that clogs their tunnels. They also sand bathe to help keep clean.

(Unger, online) (Smith, 1829)

Short-eared elephant shrews typically eat insects, usually termites and ants, and other small invertebrates. They may also feed on plant parts such as roots, shoots, and berries.

(Unger & Kratochvil, 1999)

The animal usually jumps from bush to bush during the day or basks in the sun, but if harassed by diurnal predators, such as hawks, it switches its schedule and looks for food at dusk, hiding in bushes during the day. Also, by using their forelimbs these animals can dig tunnels very rapidly to quickly escape predators. Few predators prey on the young because the young mature and leave the nest shortly after birth.

(Lincoln Park Zoo, online) (Smith, 1829)

These elephant shrews help move soil around to create their burrows as well as recycle vacant burrows left from rodent species.

(Unger, online)

Possible helpful soil movement from burrowing activity.

(Unger, online)

Due to destruction of its habitat, this species is labeled “vulnerable” by the IUCN.

(Shaw, 1983)