Elephantulus rozeti is the only elephant-shrew, or sengi, (Macroscelidea) species that resides north of the Sahara. North African elephant-shrews occur in two disjunct populations: the first in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and the second in Libya.

Biogeographic Regions: ethiopian (Native )

North African elephant-shrews are roughly rodent-like in appearance, with a small body, large ears, and long tails. They weigh about 50g (very light compare to other genera in the same order). The head/body length is from 11 to 12.5 cm. The tail length is from 13 to 16 cm. The average body temperature is 33.6ºC. The fur on the dorsal side varies from yellowish brown to pale sandy-pink, and the fur on the ventral side is white.

Elephant-shrews have long flexible snouts (probosci) that give them their names. The snout can be moved in a circular fashion. When they forage, they poke their snout into crevices or leaf litter, sniffing for food. The nostrils are located at the anterior end of the snout. Long sensory whiskers (vibrissae) arise from the base of the snout.

The hindlimbs, which superficially resemble those of small antelopes, are longer than the forelimbs. This unique characteristic is probably an adaptation for cursorial and ricochetal locomotion. The tibia and fibula are long and fused. The metatarsals are lengthened, and the ulna and radius are also long, thus lengthening the stride and contributing to high-speed running and jumping.

Members of this species have well-developed glands under the tail, which they use for marking territory.

Range mass: 25 to 70 g.

Average mass: 52 g.

Range length: 11 to 12.5 cm.

Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry

Sexual Dimorphism: sexes alike

Average basal metabolic rate: 0.288 W.

• Terrestrial

North African elephant-shrews occur in semi-arid savanna, bushland, shrubland, and woodland.

Habitat Regions: temperate ; terrestrial

Terrestrial Biomes: savanna or grassland ; scrub forest

Elephant-shrews primarily eat insects. The specific diet for E. rozeti is unknown, but other Elephantulus species eat termites and ants, as well as shoots, berries, and roots. In captivity they accept various foods, including fruits and vegetables.

Animal Foods: insects; terrestrial non-insect arthropods

Plant Foods: fruit

Primary Diet: carnivore (Insectivore ); herbivore (Frugivore )

This species is insectivorous and may play a role in regulating the populations of some insect species.

North African elephant-shrews can run and jump quickly to escape from predators. They may also freeze when they detect a threat. In this case, they may simply sit still and slap their elongated tail against the leaf litter. The color of their fur often remarkably resembles that of the soil (some shade of yellowish brown), which helps them to be camouflaged. Elephant-shrews are preyed on by large snakes, birds of prey, and medium-sized carnivorous mammals, such as foxes (Vulpes) and mustelids (Mustelidae).

Known Predators:

• hawks (Accipitridae)
• snakes (Serpentes)
• carnivorous mammals

Anti-predator Adaptations: cryptic

Elephantulus rozeti use their long snouts to search for food under leaves or rocks, probably relying on their senses of touch and smell. They use chemical secreted from tail glands to mark territories. Females of the species scent-mark with their vagina when they circle around their potential mates.

Communication Channels: visual ; tactile ; chemical

Other Communication Modes: pheromones ; scent marks

Perception Channels: visual

Information on the lifespan of E. rozeti is not available. The average lifespan of Elephantulus is 1 to 1.5 years in the wild and 3-4 years in captivity. The longest known lifespan of a E. rozeti was about 7 years, though the age of the animal was not scientifically determined.

Range lifespan

Status: captivity: 3 to 7.2 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 4 years.

Typical lifespan

Status: wild: 1 to 1.5 years.

Typical lifespan

Status: captivity: 3 to 4 years.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 3 years.

Elephantulus rozeti individuals breed seasonally, usually from January to August, depending on their environment. Information on the mating behavior of this species is not available. However, mating behavior of Elephantulus rufescens was observed in the lab. Males and females exhibit facultative monogamy. The mating process is brief, usually lasting 2 to 3 minutes. Both mates are seemingly alert during copulation in case the need arises for flight.

Females tend to dominate males during mating. Either the male or the female initiates sexual behavior by approaching the mate and sniffing the face (naso-facial contact). After making facial contact, both mates practice “mechanical walking”, in which the elephant-shrew straightens its legs, so that it appears taller than normal, and moves toward the mate with short rigid steps. The male then sniffs the genitals of the female. At the same time, the female circles the male and sniffs him.

Females often mark with their vagina as they approach the males. During mating, the male does not strongly grip the female with his forelimbs and there is no neck bite. After one to ten, or more, precopulatory attempts, the female stands for mounting. Her hind legs are fully extended and her rump is elevated. All her paws remained flat on the ground. The ventral surface and tail are held off the ground and the tail is bent to one side.

Mating System: monogamous

A female bears 1 to 4 young, the most common number being 2. In the north and northwest of Morocco it is more common for females to bear 3 or 4 young. In favorable conditions the mating period begins in January and ends in August. In regions with harsh climates, such as in the high plains of Algeria and Morocco, where the winter is cold, the first births are at the end of April. In more temperate regions, such as Tunisia and certain parts of Morocco, births begin in March. Two weeks after birth, the young emerge from their shelter, weaned and able to forage.

Breeding interval: Elephantulus rozeti individuals breed once a year.

Breeding season: The mating period begins in January and ends in August.

Range number of offspring: 1 to 4.

Average number of offspring: 2.

Range gestation period: 75 (low) days.

Average weaning age: 2 weeks.

Range time to independence: 6 to 10 weeks.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female): 40 to 50 days.

Range age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male): 40 to 50 days.

Key Reproductive Features: iteroparous ; seasonal breeding ; gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); viviparous

Average number of offspring: 2.5.

North African elephant-shrew young are precocial. They are born with their eyes open and are covered in fur. They are able to move about and explore within a few days after their birth. The infants are left alone most of the time in a shelter separate from the parents' shelter. The mother comes back only to nurse at fixed intervals (absentee parental care). After about a week, the young can eat mashed insects in addition to milk.

Parental Investment: precocial ; pre-fertilization (Provisioning, Protecting: Female); pre-hatching/birth (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female); pre-weaning/fledging (Provisioning: Female, Protecting: Female)

North African elephant-shrews are not currently considered endangered.

US Federal List: no special status

CITES: no special status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: least concern

There are no negative effects of Elephantulus rozeti on humans.

With their mainly insectivorous diets, North African elephant-shrews are significant natural checks on the abundance of insects that might otherwise negatively affect human health and agriculture.

Positive Impacts: research and education; controls pest population