Sengi
Elephantulus brachyrhynchus
Sengi is an insectivore living in savannas and rocky dry woodlands.
| Scientific name | Elephantulus brachyrhynchus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Ndege wa panya |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Macroscelidea |
| Family | Macroscelididae |
| Size | Males: 50-150 g; Females: 45-140 g |
How to identify
Long, flexible elephant trunk-like nose; large eyes adapted for nocturnal activity; slender limbs and tail; small body size resembling a mouse but with a distinctive nose; gray-brown fur adapted for camouflage
Habitat
Open savannas with scattered trees, shrubs, rocky areas, and dry woodlands
Diet
Primarily insectivorous, occasionally consuming plant seeds and small invertebrates; omnivorous with carnivorous tendency
When it is active
Diurnal, mainly active during the day
Where it lives
Mainly distributed in sub-Saharan Africa including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa; also found in the Masai Mara region of Kenya
How to spot it
Search at dawn or dusk along shrub edges or open areas; watch for rapid jumps and flexible nose; use telephoto lens to avoid disturbance
Photography tips
Use natural light to capture flexible nose and active movements; high shutter speed recommended to capture jumping moments; soft morning light is ideal for photography
Threats
Habitat destruction and fragmentation; agricultural expansion and human disturbance
Similar species
Shrews (distinguished by shorter nose and smaller size); small rodents (distinguished by nose shape and activity habits)
