North African elephant shrew


The North African elephant shrew or North African sengi is a species of elephant shrew in the family Macroscelididae. It is found in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia, and is the only extant afrotherian within its range. Recent phylogenetic analyses suggest that its status as the only extant member of its order north of the Sahara has resulted in a genetic split from the other Macroscelididae species. This split likely occurred during the Miocene period. In 2016, John Dumbacher and colleagues created a new genus, Petrosaltator, for this species, recombining the scientific name to Petrosaltator rozeti.

Description

The North African elephant-shrew is a little rodent-like in appearance, having a small body, large ears, and a long tail. It weighs around, which is very light compared to other sengis). The total length is from, of which the tail is. The fur on the upper body varies from yellowish brown to pale sandy-pink, and the fur on the underside is white. It has a long flexible snout, typical of the elephant-shrews, which can be moved in a circular fashion and the nostrils are located towards the tip of the snout, with long sensory whiskers growing at the base of the snout. The rear legs are longer than the forelimbs, an adaptation for running and jumping. North African elephant-shrews use well-developed glands, placed under the tail, for marking territory. The adult specimen has 42 teeth, with a dental formula of.

Distribution

North western Africa from the northern western Sahara to western Libya.

Habitat

Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and deserts.

Habits

The North African sengi typically gives birth to litters of 1 to 4 young twice a year.