animalfunfacts.net - The Animal Encyclopedia for Kids

Round-Eared Elephant Shrew

Round-eared Elephant Shrew Facts

Size 3.9-4.3 in (10-11 cm) (body); 3.9-5.5 in (10-14 cm) (tail)
Speed Unknown
Weight 1-1.7 oz (30-50 g)
Lifespan 1-3 years
Food Omnivore
Predators Falcons
Habitat Southern Botswana, Western South Africa, Namibia
Order Elephant shrew
Family Elephant shrew
Scientific name Macroscelides proboscideus
Characteristics Trunk-like snout, prolonged hind legs

Main Characteristics

Author L.R.A Mouse With A Trunk? Nonsense! The round-eared elephant shrew is also called short-eared elephant shrew, but it is no mouse. The round-eared elephant shrew belongs to the family of elephant shrews and not, like the mouse, to the family of murids.

Behavior

Round-Eared Elephant Shrews Live Like Rabbits

Similar to the rabbit, the round-eared elephant shrew digs a den with several exits to be able to escape in case an enemy is lying in wait outside. However, the den of the round-eared elephant shrew is much shorter than that of a rabbit.

Round-Eared Elephant Shrews Are Territorial Animals

Round-eared elephant shrews are solitary animals. They are only looking for a partner during the mating season. Every round-eared elephant shrew inhabits its own territory, which covers about 0.38 square miles (1 km2).

Round-eared Elephant Shrew Round-eared Elephant Shrew - Photo: Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH/Shutterstock

Anatomy and Appearance

Have Short Ears

Round-eared elephant shrews have rather short ears compared to other elephant shrews. And they are the smallest representatives of their family and order. But they are the best-known of all elephant shrews. Little VIPs in a way.

Elephants or Mice?

For a long time, people were not sure if the round-eared elephant shrew is more closely related to the mouse or to the elephant. A genetic test made things clear: Round-eared elephant shrews are more closely related to the elephant. Of course, the relationship is rather complex and intricate. Really surprising if you compare the size and weight of the round-eared elephant shrew to that of an elephant.

This fact sheet was submitted by animalfunfacts.net fan L.R. Thanks for your amazing article! Do you want to write a fan fact sheet?


The Round-Eared Elephant Shrew Is Related To:

Animals in the Same Biome:

Round-eared Elephant Shrew Round-eared Elephant Shrew - Photo: belizar/Shutterstock


Pupils are welcome to use this information at school for animal profiles, fact sheets, essays, work sheets, presentations, posters or homework. All information appearing on this site has been precisely and thoroughly researched, nevertheless should you notice any errors, please do notify us via email.

Copyright © 2018-2023 animalfunfacts.net. All rights reserved. No part of this site or its content may be reproduced without the permission of the copyright holder.

FOLLOW US:

ACROSS THE WORLD: