Elephant Shrews

Erika Wogen & Seamus Sullivan

Physical Characteristics
4-5 inches long Weight- 9/10 of an once Tail and Ears really long Fur is mostly yellowish brown Nose is very flexible Back legs are very long

Life Cycle
Breed once a year Breeding season lasts from January-August Pregnant for 75 days About 4 babies every liter Lifespan is 1 years in wild 3-4 years in captivity

Behavior
Live in pairs Very territorial Female fights off female Male fights off male Track each other with scent markings They scream, spare, snap and kick

Habitat
Found in Africa Mostly around watery areas Think ground cover Forests Around Savannah

Diet
Hunt during the day Tongue really long Roots Berries Insects Can go 2 days without food

History
Were shrews, now in elephant group Been around for millions of years Related to aardvarks and sea cows 15 species left Rhynchocyoninae were the first species

Predators/Threats
Threatened by habitat loss Snakes, lizards, birds of prey Humans in Africa eat them Resources are running out Deforestation Accident Catches

Taking care of them

Extremely high metabolism Needs to eat every few hours Dont put in a wire cage! Have leave in the cage Rock like water bowls Feed them crickets or mealworms

Random Facts
Saliva is poisonous Trails that are like roads Smallest mammals on earth Herbivores Hind legs are long and powerful Dont have the white in eyes