The chequered sengi (Rhynchocyon cirnei), also known as the checkered sengi or checkered elephant shrew, is a species of elephant shrew in the family Macroscelididae.
| Checkered sengi | |
|---|---|
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| Prague Zoo, Czech Republic | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Infraclass: | Placentalia |
| Order: | Macroscelidea |
| Family: | Macroscelididae |
| Genus: | Rhynchocyon |
| Species: | R. cirnei |
| Binomial name | |
| Rhynchocyon cirnei Peters, 1847 | |
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| Checkered sengi range | |
Taxonomy
editSix subspecies of the chequered sengi were recognized in the third edition of Mammal Species of the World, published 2005:[2]
- R. c. cirnei
- R. c. hendersoni
- R. c. macrurus
- R. c. reichardi
- R. c. shirensis
- R. c. stuhlmanni
The subspecies R. c. stuhlmanni may represent a separate species.[2]
Description
editChequered sengis will grow to be around 25–30 cm (9.8–11.8 in) long, excluding their tail, making them one of the longest elephant shrews. Their average tail length is slightly over 25 centimeters, which is slightly shorter than their body length.[3][4] They commonly weigh around half a kilogram (1.1 pounds), but will sometimes grow to be about 0.7 kg (1.5 lb).[5] Their coat is usually a light to medium brown, but it can range from beige to dark brown. Their back contains alternating chestnut and lighter colors, creating a "checkered" pattern. Chequered sengis also contain stripes on the sides of their body, which have a darker color than most of their body.[3]
Range and habitat
editIt is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and possibly Central African Republic. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. It is threatened by habitat loss.[1]
Behavior and ecology
edit
Chequered sengis are exclusively diurnal and likely monogamous. Sengis that are in a male-female pair build a nest out of leaf litter but spend much of their time apart. They breed year-round and produce up to three young per litter.[6]
Diet
editThe chequered sengi is primarily an insectivore, eating termites, ants, beetles and centipedes. It also will eat mollusks, eggs and small mammals, amphibians and birds.
References
edit
- 1 2 Hoffmann, M. (2020). "Rhynchocyon cirnei". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2020 e.T19709A166489513. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2020-1.RLTS.T19709A166489513.en. Retrieved 16 November 2021.
- 1 2 Schlitter, D.A. (2005). "Rhynchocyon cirnei". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 84. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- 1 2 "Rhynchocyon cirnei: INFORMATION". Animal Diversity Web. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ↑ "Elephant shrew". Britannica.com. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ↑ "Elephant Shrew". African Wildlife Foundation. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ↑ Heritage, Steven (2018). "Family Macroscelididae". In Mittermeier, Russell A.; Wilson, Don E. (eds.). Handbook of the Mammals of the World. Vol. 8. Insectivores, Sloths and Colugos. Lynx Edicions. p. 227. ISBN 978-84-16728-08-4.
External links
edit- Checkered elephant shrew on Animal diversity web
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