SHORT EARED ELEPHANT SHREW Macroscelides proboscideus Mammal Order Macroscelidea Description Color: The fur is long and soft. The upper parts are sandy brown, pale buff, orange buff, or pale grayish buff. Head and body length: 3.7- 4 inches. Tail length: 3.7- 5 inches. Weight: 1- 1.7 ounces. Range Nambia, the Cape province of South Africa, and extreme southern Botswana. Status Threatened due to habitat loss. Photo by Greg Neise

Ecology Habitat Gravelly, sandy, thornbush plains.   Niche Diurnal (somewhat) and mainly terrestrial. The diet consistsmainly of termites and ants, but also includes shoots, berries, and roots. Life History These animals are mainly solitary in the wild. Breeding season is around August to September. The gestation is 56-61 days. The usual litter size is two. The young leave their shelter at 18-36 days and attain an adult weight at 46 days. Special Adaptations A keen sense of smell helps the shrew sense food and danger. Fewer predators raid the shrew's nest site because they mature and leave the nest so fast.