Presented to sir zaheer Presented to sir zaheer AhmadAhmad

Presented by Group 7th Presented by Group 7th

Asad aliAsad ali

Ibni AminIbni Amin

M IshaqM Ishaq

Order MacroscelideaOrder Macroscelideaexample elephant shrewexample elephant shrew

Scientific classification of classification of MacroscelidesMacroscelides

Kingdom: Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Phylum: Chordata

Class: Class: Mammalia

Infraclass: Infraclass: Eutheria

Superorder: Superorder: Afrotheria

OrderOrder: : MacroscelideaMacroscelidea

Family: Family: MacroscelididaeMacroscelididae

Genera Genera Rhynchocyon Petrodromus Macroscelides Elephantulus

characteristicscharacteristicsElephant shrews are small, Elephant shrews are small,

quadrupedal, insectivorous mammals quadrupedal, insectivorous mammals resembling rodents.resembling rodents.

It have scaly tails, elongated snouts, It have scaly tails, elongated snouts, and rather long legs for their size, and rather long legs for their size, which are used to move in a fashion which are used to move in a fashion like rabbits.like rabbits.

They are varying in size about 10 cm They are varying in size about 10 cm to almost 30 cm, and weight is about to almost 30 cm, and weight is about 50 g to over 500 g. 50 g to over 500 g.

characteristicscharacteristics The The short-eared elephant shrew has an  has an

average size of 150 mm. average size of 150 mm. Although the size of the trunk varies from Although the size of the trunk varies from

one species to another. one species to another. All are able to twist it about in search of food. All are able to twist it about in search of food. Their lifespans are about two and a half to Their lifespans are about two and a half to

four years in the wildfour years in the wild   They have large canine teeth, and also high They have large canine teeth, and also high

crowned  crowned cheek teeth like those of  like those of ungulates..

Although mostly diurnal and very Although mostly diurnal and very active.active.

Feeding habitsFeeding habits Elephant shrews mainly eat Elephant shrews mainly eat invertebratesinvertebrates, such , such

as insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, as insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes, and earthworms. and earthworms.

An elephant shrew uses its nose to find prey and An elephant shrew uses its nose to find prey and uses its tongue to flick small food into its mouth, uses its tongue to flick small food into its mouth, much like an anteater.much like an anteater.

Eating large prey can pose somewhat of a Eating large prey can pose somewhat of a challenge for an elephant shrew. challenge for an elephant shrew.

For example, a giant elephant shrew struggling For example, a giant elephant shrew struggling with an earthworm must first pin its prey to the with an earthworm must first pin its prey to the ground with a forefoot. ground with a forefoot.

Feeding habitsFeeding habits

Then, turning its head to one side, it chews Then, turning its head to one side, it chews pieces off with its cheek teeth, much like a pieces off with its cheek teeth, much like a dog chewing a bone. This is a sloppy dog chewing a bone. This is a sloppy process, and many small pieces of worm process, and many small pieces of worm drop to the ground, these are simply drop to the ground, these are simply flicked up with the tongue.flicked up with the tongue.

Some elephant shrews also feed on small Some elephant shrews also feed on small amounts of plant matter when available, amounts of plant matter when available, especially new leaves, seeds, and small especially new leaves, seeds, and small fruits.fruits.

Geographic RangeGeographic Range

The short-eared elephant shrew The short-eared elephant shrew mostly inhabits in Namibia, southern mostly inhabits in Namibia, southern Botswana, and South Africa.Botswana, and South Africa.

HabitatHabitat

The animal only lives in desert and The animal only lives in desert and semi-desert areas of the countries in semi-desert areas of the countries in which it is found. which it is found.

Also found in sparse grass cover or Also found in sparse grass cover or bushes that are a part of these dry bushes that are a part of these dry areas. areas.

They also burrow into the sand.They also burrow into the sand.

ReproductionReproduction

The breeding season is in the warm The breeding season is in the warm season. season.

In month of August and September.In month of August and September.

A female may have many pregnancies A female may have many pregnancies during one breeding season.during one breeding season.

Economic ImportanceEconomic Importance

Mainly feed insectivorous diets, insects Mainly feed insectivorous diets, insects that might otherwise negatively affect that might otherwise negatively affect human health and agriculture. human health and agriculture.

research and education research and education 

controls pest populationcontrols pest population