Eastern rock elephant shrew

The eastern rock elephant shrew or eastern rock sengi (Elephantulus myurus) is a species of elephant shrew in the family Macroscelididae. It is found in Botswana, Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland and rocky areas.^[2]

Eastern rock elephant shrew[1]
On the rocky hill above Greylingstad, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Macroscelidea
Family:	Macroscelididae
Genus:	Elephantulus
Species:	E. myurus
Binomial name
Elephantulus myurus Thomas & Schwann, 1906
Eastern Rock Elephant Shrew range

Breeding

Eastern rock elephant shrews are one of three sengi species known to breed seasonally, during the spring and summer. Environmental factors that influence breeding patterns include temperature, rainfall, and lack of food. Mothers normally give birth to two sets of twins. Their young are known to walk very soon.^[3] Although rainfall affects food availability, it does not seem to have direct impact on female E. myurus reproduction. Rainfall and ambient temperature do affect male E. myurus reproduction.^[4]

References

1. Schlitter, D.A. (2005). Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
2. Rathbun, G.B. (2015). "Elephantulus myurus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T42662A21289491. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-2.RLTS.T42662A21289491.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
3. http://www.nrcresearchpress.com. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
4. Medger, K.; Chimimba, C. T.; Bennett, N. C.; Kitchner, A. (December 2012). "Seasonal reproduction in the eastern rock elephant shrew: influenced by rainfall and ambient temperature?". Journal of Zoology. 288 (4): 283–293. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.2012.00954.x. hdl:2263/20676.