Zoologists have recently identified a shrew-like creature known as the gray-faced sengi, residing in a small community in remote Tanzania. This is a rare discovery of a new mammal species.
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The newly discovered gray-faced sengi. (Photo: AFP) |
Sengis, a group of small, fur-covered insectivorous mammals that inhabit forest areas, are also known as elephant shrews. To date, science has recognized 15 species within this group, but the recently discovered animal truly stands out, researchers say.
The newly found creature stands head and shoulders above its relatives, weighing approximately 700 grams, and is 25% larger than any previously known sengi.
“This is one of the most exciting discoveries of my career,” remarked Galen Rathbun from the California Academy of Sciences, USA. “This is the first giant elephant shrew species discovered in over 126 years,” he stated.
So far, only two populations of this species have been found, distributed over an area of about 300 square kilometers of forest. The species was first captured on a camera trap in 2005.
