A small insectivorous African mammal with a long mobile snout, long hindlimbs, and a ratlike tail.
Family Macroscelididae and order Macroscelidea: four genera and many species; historically sometimes placed in the obsolete order Insectivora
‘The horseshoe bat, the three-horned chameleon, the rare zanj elephant shrew is also found here - as can many small rare reptiles and many colorful insects.’
‘This behavior is seen in different lineages of both solitary and social species and has been documented in three species of kangaroo rat, two species of social gerbil, elephant shrews; and prairie dogs.’
‘Species specific footdrumming patterns are documented in gerbils, elephant shrews and kangaroo rats.’
‘Afrotheria are conceived as a long-distinct clade endemic to Africa, and including elephant shrews, golden moles, aardvarks, elephants, sirenians, and hyraxes.’
‘Tree shrews and elephant shrews have also sometimes been placed in this order; now, however, they are now classified separately (orders Scandentia and Macroscelidea, respectively).’
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