Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew

About the Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew

The golden-rumped sengi or golden rumped elephant shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus) is a small African mammal. It is the largest species of the sengi family (Macroscelididae) along with its close relative the grey-faced sengi. It is classified as endangered.

The golden-rumped sengi is found in the northern coastal areas in and around Arabuko Sokoke National Park Mombasa in Kenya. Its name derives from the conspicuous golden fur on its hindquarters, distinctive golden coloration on its rump, and grizzled gold forehead contrasting with its dark reddish-brown color. The golden-rumped sengi has long muscular rear legs and shorter, less developed forelegs. Like other sengis, this species has the distinctive long and flexible snout that led to them being given the name elephant shrews. Its tail is largely black except for the last third, which is white with a black tip. On juveniles, the fur shows vestigial traces of a checkerboard pattern seen on giant sengis like the checkered sengi.

The golden-rumped sengi are monogamous and territorial behavior is seen in both males and females defending overlapping territories. They mate year round. Females... Wikipedia →