The North African elephant shrew (Petrosaltator rozeti) or North African sengi is a species of elephant shrew in the family Macroscelididae. It is found in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia, and (since the extinction of the North African elephant) is the only extant afrotherian within its range. The species was formerly classified in the genus Elephantulus, but molecular evidence indicates that it is more closely related to Petrodromus than to other members of Elephantulus. It was moved to a new genus, Petrosaltator, in 2016. The split with Petrodromus likely occurred during the Miocene period.

Description

The North African elephant-shrew is a little rodent-like in appearance, having a small body, large ears, and a long tail. It weighs around 50 g, which is very light compared to other sengis). The total length is from 24 to(-), of which the tail is 13 to(-). The fur on the upper body varies from yellowish brown to pale sandy-pink, and the fur on the underside is white. It has a long flexible snout, typical of the elephant-shrews, which can be moved in a circular fashion and the nostrils are located towards the tip of the snout, with long sensory whiskers growing at the base of the snout. The rear legs are longer than the forelimbs, an adaptation for running and jumping. North African elephant-shrews use well-developed glands, placed under the tail, for marking territory. The adult specimen has 42 teeth, with a dental formula of.

Distribution

It is present in northwestern Africa from the northern Western Sahara to western Libya.

Habitat

Its natural habitats are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and deserts.

Habits

The North African sengi typically gives birth to litters of 1 to 4 young twice a year.