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A trip to the Arabuko Sokoke Forest can't compete with a wildlife safari yet it offers a glimpse at Kenya's bird and animal life and a peek at one of East Africa's last tracts of coastal forest. This conservation site for threatened bird species boasts a whole host of endemic and endangered flora and fauna. The Arabuko Sokoke Forest has three distinct types of vegetation - mixed forest, Brachystegia and Cynometra. It is home to six species of globally threatened birds - Clarke's Weaver, Amani Sunbird, Sokoke Pipit, Sokoke Scops Owl, East Coast Akalat, and Spotted Ground Thrush - and three species of globally threatened mammals - Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Sokoke Bushy-tailed Mongoose, and Ader's Duiker. More than 230 bird species, 250 butterfly species and 50 mammal species have been recorded at Arabuko Sokoke Forest. The forest hosts over 600 types of plants more kinds of frogs than any other place in Kenya. It even supports a herd of 70 elephants.

Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew Facts

There are lots of fun facts about Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews. Did you know that?

The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew, Rhynchocyon chrysopygus , is a member of the Macroscelididae family and belongs to the same clade of mammals as aardvarks, sea cows and elephants.
Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews have a red-brown coat and a gold patch of fur on their rump. Like all elephant shrews, they have a long, flexible trunk and long, mouse-like tail.
The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew is the largest elephant shrew and is similar in size to a small cat. It measures 23-26 cm (9-10 inches) in length and weighs roughly 540 g (19 ounces).
Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews live in forests and woodlands with leaf-littered floors. They are endemic to (found only in) the coastal forests of Kenya.
The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew is diurnal, meaning it is most active during the day. It lives in monogamous pairs, meaning it mates for life.
Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews are insectivores. Their favorites foods are earthworms, termites, beetles and spiders.
The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew uses its long, flexible nose to roots through leaves in search of food.
Golden-rumped Elephant Shrews are swift-footed animals. They can run at speeds of up to 25 km/h.
The Golden-rumped Elephant Shrew is an endangered species. Its primary threat is habitat loss.