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SENGIS/ELEPHANT SHREWS (Macroscelidea)
Of the 17 species of sengi, only one occurs in the region. In recent
years the name sengi has been favoured because although elephant
shrew is descriptive of the animals’ long, trunk-like snouts, they are in
fact related to neither elephants nor shrews.
NORTH AFRICAN SENGI Elephantulus rozeti
Identification This is the only sengi in the region, with a range
from Morocco (including north Western Sahara), across northern
Algeria and Tunisia, to western Libya. If seen up close it should
not be mistaken for any other species within its range. It has an
elongated, cylindrical, trunk-like snout that is constantly twitching,
large, membranous ears and prominent eyes. The hind legs and feet
are considerably longer than the front ones, and the tail is about
half of the total length. The upperparts are buffy in colour and the
underparts are white to off-white. The coat is very soft.
Size Total length 19–23 cm.
Weight 4 0–50 g.
Habitat and Behaviour This species is found in rocky areas, where
it shelters in crevices, and it apparently uses burrows dug by other
species on gravel plains. It is nocturnal and crepuscular, but frequently
sun basks near its shelter. Sengis feed mainly on insects and other
invertebrates. For their size they can move at great speed, giving the
impression of a ‘low-flying puff-ball’.
Distribution and Status The North African Sengi occupies a mixture
of habitats from sea level to the Atlas plateaux. It is common in many
locations.