The Elephant Shrew darts through the brush.
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THE ORDER MACROSCELIDEA: The elephant shrews are the only members of this order. In many ways similar to the insectivores (in fact, formerly classified as a family of that order), these peculiar African animals are highly specialized for running. Their legs are long and slender; the back legs are somewhat longer than the front ones, giving them an almost kangaroolike appearance as they make their speedy bounds.
Their name obviously derives from their long noses being compared to that of an elephant. Their brains are more developed than the average Insectivore, and they can live in a variety of habitats, including open plains, savannas, and tropical forests. At one time or another the elephant shrew was compared to primates, insectivores, tree shrews, and even the hooved animals. Finally, they have been placed in an order unto themselves. Unfortunately, little is known of these animals, other than that they are monogamous, territorial, and breed throughout the year. The other known fact is that more than half of the species are either endangered or vulnerable to extinction.
Check out the North African Elephant Shrew and the Giant Elephant Shrew.
