Elephant shrews are small, insectivorous mammals found in Africa. They resemble rodents but have elongated snouts and scaly tails. Their sizes vary from 10-30 cm long and they weigh 50g to over 500g. They are insectivores, using their long noses to find prey like insects and their tongues to flick food into their mouths. Some eat small plants. The short-eared elephant shrew lives in southern Africa and inhabits desert and semi-desert areas, burrowing in sand. They breed in warm seasons, with females having multiple pregnancies. Elephant shrews have economic importance by controlling pest populations and being used for research and education.

2. Presented to sir zaheer AhmadPresented to sir zaheer Ahmad
Presented by Group 7thPresented by Group 7th
Asad aliAsad ali
Ibni AminIbni Amin
M IshaqM Ishaq

3. Order MacroscelideaOrder Macroscelidea
example elephant shrewexample elephant shrew

4. ScientificScientific classification ofclassification of
MacroscelidesMacroscelides
Kingdom:Kingdom: AnimaliaAnimalia
Phylum:Phylum: ChordataChordata
Class:Class:
MammaliaMammalia
Infraclass:Infraclass:
EutheriaEutheria
Superorder:Superorder: AfrotheriaAfrotheria
OrderOrder::
MacroscelideaMacroscelidea
Family:Family:
MacroscelididaeMacroscelididae
GeneraGenera
RhynchocyonRhynchocyon
PetrodromusPetrodromus

5. characteristicscharacteristics
Elephant shrews are small, quadrupedal,Elephant shrews are small, quadrupedal,
insectivorous mammals resemblinginsectivorous mammals resembling
rodents.rodents.
 It have scaly tails, elongated snouts, andIt have scaly tails, elongated snouts, and
rather long legs for their size, which arerather long legs for their size, which are
used to move in a fashion like rabbits.used to move in a fashion like rabbits.
 They are varying in size about 10 cm toThey are varying in size about 10 cm to
almost 30 cm, and weight is about 50 g toalmost 30 cm, and weight is about 50 g to
over 500 g.over 500 g.

6. characteristicscharacteristics
 The The short-eared elephant shrewshort-eared elephant shrew has an average has an average
size of 150 mm.size of 150 mm.
 Although the size of the trunk varies from oneAlthough the size of the trunk varies from one
species to another.species to another.
 All are able to twist it about in search of food.All are able to twist it about in search of food.
 Their lifespans are about two and a half to fourTheir lifespans are about two and a half to four
years in the wildyears in the wild
 They have large canine teeth, and also highThey have large canine teeth, and also high
crowned crowned cheek teethcheek teeth like those of like those of ungulatesungulates..
Although mostly diurnal and very active.Although mostly diurnal and very active.

7. Feeding habitsFeeding habits
 Elephant shrews mainly eat Elephant shrews mainly eat invertebratesinvertebrates, such, such
as insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes,as insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes,
and earthworms.and earthworms.
 An elephant shrew uses its nose to find prey and uses itsAn elephant shrew uses its nose to find prey and uses its
tongue to flick small food into its mouth, much liketongue to flick small food into its mouth, much like
an anteater.an anteater.
 Eating large prey can pose somewhat of a challenge forEating large prey can pose somewhat of a challenge for
an elephant shrew.an elephant shrew.
 For example, a giant elephant shrew struggling with anFor example, a giant elephant shrew struggling with an
earthworm must first pin its prey to the ground with aearthworm must first pin its prey to the ground with a
forefoot.forefoot.

8. Feeding habitsFeeding habits
Then, turning its head to one side, it chewsThen, turning its head to one side, it chews
pieces off with its cheek teeth, much like a dogpieces off with its cheek teeth, much like a dog
chewing a bone. This is a sloppy process, andchewing a bone. This is a sloppy process, and
many small pieces of worm drop to the ground,many small pieces of worm drop to the ground,
these are simply flicked up with the tongue.these are simply flicked up with the tongue.
Some elephant shrews also feed on smallSome elephant shrews also feed on small
amounts of plant matter when available,amounts of plant matter when available,
especially new leaves, seeds, and small fruits.especially new leaves, seeds, and small fruits.

9. Geographic RangeGeographic Range
The short-eared elephant shrew mostlyThe short-eared elephant shrew mostly
inhabits in Namibia, southern Botswana,inhabits in Namibia, southern Botswana,
and South Africa.and South Africa.

10. HabitatHabitat
The animal only lives in desert and semi-The animal only lives in desert and semi-
desert areas of the countries in which it isdesert areas of the countries in which it is
found.found.
Also found in sparse grass cover orAlso found in sparse grass cover or
bushes that are a part of these dry areas.bushes that are a part of these dry areas.
They also burrow into the sand.They also burrow into the sand.

11. ReproductionReproduction
The breeding season is in the warmThe breeding season is in the warm
season.season.
In month of August and September.In month of August and September.
 A female may have many pregnanciesA female may have many pregnancies
during one breeding season.during one breeding season.

12. Economic ImportanceEconomic Importance
Mainly feed insectivorous diets, insectsMainly feed insectivorous diets, insects
that might otherwise negatively affectthat might otherwise negatively affect
human health and agriculture.human health and agriculture.
research and education research and education
controls pest populationcontrols pest population