long-eared elephant shrew

mammal genus

Also known as: Elephantulus

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July 15, 2026

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The long-eared elephant shrew, belonging to the genus Elephantulus, is a type of mammal found in Africa. These small animals are characterized by their long, flexible snouts, slender limbs, and long hind legs, which allow them to run swiftly. Despite their name and resemblance to shrews, they are not insectivores but are part of the mammalian order Macroscelidea.1

Long-eared elephant shrews are terrestrial and active during the day. They forage for insects, arthropods, and earthworms, using their paws and snout to search through leaf litter and soil. They construct and maintain paths for quick escapes when alarmed. Litters typically consist of one or two well-developed young. These shrews inhabit various environments, including dry forests, savannas, and scrublands.1

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elephant shrew
…family Macroscelididae also includes the long-eared elephant shrews (genus Elephantulus), the round-eared sengis (Macroscelides proboscideus, M. flavicaudatus, and M. micus), and the four-toed elephant shrew (Petrodromus tetradactylus); those three genera are classified together in a subfamily separate from Rhynchocyon. Macroscelididae is the only family in the order Macroscelidea.
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…family Macroscelididae also includes the long-eared elephant shrews (genus Elephantulus), the round-eared sengis (Macroscelides proboscideus, M. flavicaudatus, and M. micus), and the four-toed elephant shrew (Petrodromus tetradactylus); those three genera are classified together in a subfamily separate from Rhynchocyon. Macroscelididae is the only family in the order Macroscelidea.
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