This order of small elephant shrews was at one time considered to be a part of the order Insectivora, but due to several anatomical differences they were placed in their own order. This order is comprised of rodent sized mammals varying from the size of a mouse to that of a rat. Elephant shrews can be found throughout northern Africa and south of the Sahara. They are well adapted for leaping, with the hindlimbs much longer than the forelimbs. The snout is elongated and the eyes and ears are large in comparison with the body. They are insectivorous in nature. There are approximately 15 spp in one family:
Macroscelididae (elephant shrews) 15 spp
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