bs-elephant-shrew

=Elephant Shrew: Elephantulus Rozetti =




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 *  [[image:DolphinsSB.jpg width="24" height="27"]]Hey, Rozetti, I would like to know, where would I find an Elephant Shrew? **

=== **The Elephant Shrew lives in usually dry, semi-arid areas. You could find one in the Namib desert in Africa. But, you probably won't see one because they live in small holes or leaf nests, hidden in the undergrowth. **===

 
 **So, I want to get one of these as a pet. I need to know, how long do they live?**

=== ** First of all, the Elephant Shrew does not make the best pet. Some types are actually being considered as an endangered species. Secondly, they live from 2-3 years. ** ===

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> **<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">What do Elephant Shrews eat? **

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> They eat mostly insects but sometimes will munch on seeds and green roots. That is why they have canine and molar teeth (for tearing the insects-canines- and for grinding up seeds-molars-). **===

<span style="font-size: 150%; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">**<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">How many babies can they have at a time? How long do they stay in the mother? **

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> Elephant Shrews have around one to two babies at a time. The gestation period is about 50 day, but when they're born, the Elephant Shrew is helpless and rely on the mother for nourishment. By two months, though, the babies are completely on their own. Ah, they grow up so fast. : ( **===

**<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">What EATS the Elephant Shrew? **

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elephant Shrews' main predators are birds of prey and snakes, it being a small rodent and all. Luckily, they live in small groups and make tunnels in the underbrush to prey and hide. **===

<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Okay, now I've seen what they look like, but why do they look that way?**

=== **<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Good question! Actually, the Elephant Shrew's light brown color is so it can blend in to the normally dry undergrowth. The cute little trunk-like nose that gives the Elephant Shrew its name is for sniffing around for insects in little cracks it can't squeeze into, then it scratches off insects from whatever the insect is attached to. The little feet are for incredibly quick escapes, in fact, they're so fast, you can barely see them in plain sight! **===

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<span style="font-size: 180%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**<span style="font-size: 80%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Now I'm confused! Is it an elephant? **

[[image:klaasneus.JPG width="36" height="37"]]**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">No. It is not an elephant. **
**<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Is it a Shrew? **

=== **<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Actually, scientists are debating whether it is or not. **===

**<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">Then what is this oddly confusing animal? Is it unknown, like the mystery meat they serve in the cafeteria? Hopefully not as gross, though. **

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Well, don't hurt yourself thinking! For now, go ahead and call it a shrew, because it is still controversial whether they are part of a different group of animals including aardvarks and golden moles or not. **===

**<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">I wonder how much water an elephant shrew needs to survive. I see that these unique creatures live in semi-arid deserts, much like the kangaroo rat. These rats are known for needing very little water over the course of their lifetimes. Is this same thing true for elephant shrews? I gotta know! **

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Awesome Question! Actually, they don't have to drink ANY water! Instead, the Elephant Shrew obtains its water from the food it eats. So, yes it is a lot like the kangaroo rat. **===

<span style="font-size: 150%; font-family: Georgia,serif;">**Are there many domesticated elephant shrews, if so, would I see them in a zoo?**

===**<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(0, 0, 128); font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Elephant Shrews are most definitely not usually domesticated. If any are, there must be some incredibly odd pet owners. Although, yes, you can find one in zoos, including the National Zoo in Washington D.C.. **===

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http://us.geocities.com/jcvdw/images1/klaasneus.JPG
<span style="background-color: rgb(67, 176, 249);">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_shrew http://research.calacademy.org/research/bmammals/eshrews/synopsis.php http://research.calacademy.org/research/bmammals/eshrews/synopsis.html [] http://www.stripedmouse.com/pdfe/mammals.pdf