Black and rufous sengi, Zanj elephant shrew
The black and rufous elephant shrew, (Rhynchocyon petersi ) the black and rufous sengi, or the Zanj elephant shrew is one of the 17 species of elephant shrew found only in Africa. It is native to the lowland montane and dense forests of Kenya and Tanzania. Like other members of the genus Rhynchocyon, it is a relatively large species, with adults averaging about 28 cm (11 in) in length and 450-700 g (1.0-1.5 lb) in weight.
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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InsectivoresAn insectivore is a carnivorous plant or animal that eats insects. An alternative term is entomophage, which also refers to the human practice of e...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
Among animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
Animal migration is the relatively long-distance movement of individual animals, usually on a seasonal basis. It is the most common form of migrati...
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starts withBlack and rufous elephant shrews are small mammals. They are reddish-brown in their front half and their back half is black in color. These shrews have long proboscises and long tongues. They need to move rapidly and therefore their hindlimbs are much longer than their forelimbs.
Black and rufous elephant shrews are found only in Africa. They are native to the lowland montane and dense forests of Kenya and Tanzania.
Black and rufous elephant shrews are terrestrial and diurnal animals. They spend most of their time running from predators or using their good sense of hearing and smell to watch out for predators. Black and rufous elephant shrews are generally solitary creatures. Pairs do not interact often with one another. They are territorial but their home ranges may overlap. When foraging these shrews use their proboscises to dig insects from the soil and their tongues to lick them up. They typically build nests on the ground for shelter requiring dry leaf litter often at the base of trees.
Black and rufous elephant shrews are carnivorous (insectivorous) animals. Their diet consists of insects such as beetles, termites, and centipedes.
Black and rufous elephant shrews live in monogamous pairs, defending hectare-sized territories. Each animal can make and maintain around 10 nests in one territory. The pair bond is weak and animals spend little time together. Females give birth to 1-2 babies. Females do not spend much time with their young. They visit them once a day for a brief nursing period.
Black and rufous elephant shrews' numbers are reportedly declining. These animals suffer from severe forest fragmentation and degradation from human expansion. Other threats include timber for woodcarving use, firewood, and charcoal production. Hunting for food is also a threat to this species.
According to IUCN, the Black and rufous elephant shrew is relatively common and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.