Head to head
Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrew vs Four-Toed Sengi
The golden-rumped elephant shrew and four-toed sengi both stand out within the elephant shrew order, one for its size and colouring, the other for its unusual anatomy and lone taxonomic status.
| Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrew | Four-Toed Sengi | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Rhynchocyon chrysopygus | Petrodromus tetradactylus |
| Relative size | Largest elephant shrew species | Considerably smaller |
| Signature feature | Brilliant golden rump patch | Only four toes on each hind foot |
| Taxonomic status | One of several Rhynchocyon species | Sole member of its genus |
| Native range | Narrow strip of coastal Kenya only | Broad East African coastline |
| Conservation status | Endangered | Least Concern |
| Population trend | Decreasing | Stable |
| Habitat | Rainforest, forest | Forest, coastal |
Golden-Rumped Elephant Shrew vs Four-Toed Sengi: common questions
Which of these two species is more threatened?
The golden-rumped elephant shrew is far more threatened, classified as Endangered due to its extremely narrow range confined to a single strip of coastal Kenyan forest, while the four-toed sengi ranges more broadly along East Africa's coastline and is classified as Least Concern.
What makes the four-toed sengi taxonomically unique?
This species is the sole member of its own genus, Petrodromus, distinguished by having only four toes on each hind foot rather than the usual five found on most other elephant shrews, including the golden-rumped elephant shrew.
How do these two species compare in size?
The golden-rumped elephant shrew is considerably larger, holding the record as the biggest species in the entire elephant shrew order, while the four-toed sengi is a noticeably smaller animal, despite both sharing the same general foraging style and flexible, trunk-like nose.