NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



The only animals of the Insectivorous Order in 

 South Africa are the Jumping or Elephant Shrews, 

 the Common Shrews, the Hedgehogs and Golden 

 Moles. 



THE JUMPING SHREW 



Also known as the Elephant Shrew 



THESE curious-looking little animals inhabit Africa, 

 and are not found in any other part of the world. 

 They are known as Jumping Shrews because of 

 their remarkable leaping powers. In fact, their 

 only means of progression when running rapidly is 

 by a succession of big jumps, owing to the smallness 

 of the front legs in comparison with the back 

 ones. 



The name of Elephant Shrew has been given to 

 them because of the elongated, trunk-like snout, 

 giving the head somewhat the appearance of that 

 of a miniature elephant. 



There are several species or kinds of Jumping or 

 Elephant Shrews inhabiting South Africa. All of 

 them are of great economic value to man, for 

 the reason that their diet consists almost entirely 

 of insect life which they seek on the ground, and 

 under dead leaves and grass. Their sense of smell 

 is exceedingly keen, enabling them to locate insects 

 concealed from sight. 



In captivity we found they devoured with avidity 

 almost any species of insect which we gave them. 



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