Scientists Discover New Species Of Elephant Shrew

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Scientists believe that they may have found a new species of the elusive Elephant Shrew or Sengi, in Kenya's remote Bon-Dori jungle.

Found only in Africa, this mysterious animal that gets its name from its pointed head and long, trunk like nose, is not really a shrew, but more closely related to golden moles and tenrecs.

This new specimen was first spotted by a member of the Zoological Society of London. Unable to identify it, she prompted the society and the Kenya Wildlife Service to set up cameras in the vicinity, in the hope that it would appear again.

Besides catching this one on camera, the scientists have also managed to procure three dead specimens of the new species. While DNA tests are still being conducted, Dr. Raj Amin, who is leading the research team, is quite convinced that this is a new species, based on its color and size, which is much bigger than the ones found so far.

Elephant Shrews are tiny insectivore mammals that range from about 10cm to 30cm in length, and weigh anywhere from 50g to 500gms. The diurnal animals are not very social and difficult to find, because they are very active and also good at camouflage. Thanks to their constant activity, they need a lot of food and spend most of their day devouring invertebrates like ants, spiders, millipedes and worms. So far, scientists have been able to identify 17 different species of this ancient mammal that is believed to have been around for millions of years - This new gentle giant may just be the 18th!

Sources: www.wikipedia.org,care2.com, guardian.co.uk,awf.org

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261 Comments
  • doortothewest
    doortothewestabout 13 years
    so cool!
    • jokesterabout 13 years
      there so cute i want to c them
      • Albert Einsteinabout 13 years
        It looks like my hamster AWESOME
        • Bohangalesabout 13 years
          Cool... Look how the Elephant Shrew is moving the leaves and mulch. Kind of like us.
          • Michael D.about 13 years
            I want one of these!!!!
            • Dominic G.about 13 years
              cool
              • Boopabout 13 years
                awww its so CUTE!
                • Bazookaabout 13 years
                  Its so cute and cuddly,that I want one
                  • mr richfield about 13 years
                    well hello i am from the show the nanny cuz i would rather read of the internet than having paper be wasting offf trees and then thrown away so i am trying to save the humans so stop buying newspaper and just read it of the internet cuz that is just better ok well imma go cry now so seeee yyaaaaaaa toodles never ever say that wasting paper is good cuz i am just a tree hugger kk bye
                    • lman
                      lmanabout 13 years
                      Attention all ELEPHANT-SHREW FANS!!! Follow me for nerdy stuff and good books!!!! (P.S. I am a Star Wars geek!)