Scientists discover a tiny, furry, elephant like creature

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A furry mammal with a trunk-like nose was caught scampering about in a remote African forest. This elephant shrew, a large one, is likely a new species.

Conservationists studying the biodiversity of the Boni-Dodori forest on the coast of northeastern Kenya had set up camera traps there after a scientist had spotted an elephant shrew (also called a sengi) she didn’t recognize.

The team, which included the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), will next analyze the animal’s DNA to confirm whether or not it is indeed a new species of elephant shrew.

If it is a new species, that would make 18 species of sengi in the family Macroscelididae (13 species of soft-furred sengi and five species of the giant sengi). All are native to Africa. The animals are more closely related to elephants than shrews, despite being relatively small creatures – ranging from 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 centimeters) in length and weighing from less than a tenth of a pound to 1.5 pounds (30 to 700 grams).

CSM

giant elephant shrew
Picture credit: Zoological Society of London


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Holte Ender

Holte Ender will always try to see your point of view, but sometimes it is hard to stick his head that far up his @$$.
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13 years ago

It looks like a squeetastic cross between a tapir and an agouti! SO cute!

13 years ago

Hmmm, I wonder how it would taste in a little curry…hmmm

13 years ago

Wow! What a fascinating story. Cryptozoology would be such a great job to have!

Reply to  Holte Ender
13 years ago

I think the comment was more related to my distrustful nature 🙂

Admin
13 years ago

Fascinating if true and not photo shopped. 🙂

13 years ago

Wonder what O’Donnell’s thoughts would be on this. I sure it would be something significant about a new species and how that relates to those in her world here.

I bet it tastes real good!

Jess
Reply to  One Fly
13 years ago

It’s just a mouse with a human brain. They are working on that according to her. Teh stoopid is strong with her.

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