Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Macroscelidea
- Family
- Macroscelididae
- Genus
- Macroscelides
Habitat
Round-eared elephant shrews primarily inhabit arid and semi-arid regions of southern Africa, including deserts, scrublands, and rocky outcrops. They prefer areas with loose sandy soils for burrowing and sparse vegetation for cover, avoiding dense forests or wet areas. These habitats provide ample insects and protection from predators.
Diet
This species mainly feeds on insects such as ants, termites, beetles, and spiders, which it captures using its keen sense of smell and long snout. They forage actively during the day, probing the soil and leaf litter for prey, and occasionally supplement their diet with seeds or small plant parts. Feeding sessions are brief and frequent to minimize exposure to predators.
Behavior
Round-eared elephant shrews are solitary and territorial animals, marking their home ranges with scent glands to deter intruders. They are diurnal, active during the day, and exhibit rapid, zigzagging runs to evade predators, reaching speeds up to 25 km/h. They communicate through high-pitched vocalizations and are known for their agile, insect-hunting behaviors in open habitats.
Conservation Status
The IUCN classifies the Round-eared elephant shrew as Least Concern, with a stable population trend across its range in southern Africa. Major threats include habitat destruction from agriculture and urbanization, as well as predation by introduced species.