Rhynchocyonidae

Rhynchocyonidae is a family of mammals belonging to the order Macroscelidea, commonly known as elephant shrews. The family currently contains a single living genus, Rhynchocyon, which includes four species of large-eared elephant shrews. These species are endemic to Africa, inhabiting forest and woodland environments.

Members of Rhynchocyonidae are characterized by their long, flexible snouts, which they use to forage for insects, their primary food source. They also consume small vertebrates, fruits, and seeds. These animals are diurnal and largely solitary, though they may form monogamous pairs during the breeding season. Their hind legs are longer than their forelegs, enabling them to move with surprising speed and agility, often in a bipedal gait.

The fossil record of Rhynchocyonidae is sparse, with the oldest known fossils dating back to the Oligocene epoch. While the family's evolutionary history is not fully understood, genetic studies suggest that elephant shrews diverged from other placental mammals early in their evolution. The living species of Rhynchocyon are found in different geographic regions of East Africa, with each species adapted to specific habitats such as rainforests, woodlands, and savannas. Conservation status varies among the species, with some facing threats from habitat loss and fragmentation.