Elephant Shrews
Order Macroscelidea
This order of small elephant shrews was at
one time considered to be a part of the order Insectivora, but due to
several anatomical differences they were placed in their own order. This
order is comprised of rodent sized mammals varying from the size of a
mouse to that of a rat. Elephant shrews can be found throughout northern
Africa and south of the Sahara. They are well adapted for leaping, with
the hindlimbs much longer than the forelimbs. The snout is elongated and
the eyes and ears are large in comparison with the body. They are
insectivorous in nature. There are approximately 15 spp in one family:
..Macroscelididae
(elephant shrews) 15 spp
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