A new mammal that resembles a long-nosed mouse in appearance, but is actually more closely related genetically to elephants, was discovered recently in the remote desert of western Africa.
The new elephant shrew species was given the name Macroscelides micus, and inhabits an ancient volcanic formation in Namibia.
The shrew sports red fur that helps it blend in with the color of its surroundings, according to John Dumbacher, one of a team of biologists who discovered the new species, who spoke with Reuters.
The creature weighs up to an ounce and measures 7.5 inches in length, including its tail. Genetic testing revealed the species is more closely related to large mammals however.
"It turns out this thing that looks and acts like shrews that evolved in Africa is more closely related to elephants," said Dumbacher, a curator of birds and mammals at the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, according to Reuters.
Findings were published in the Journal of Mammalogy.
Though the discovery "floored" scientists, the only visible link between an African elephant and the shrew is its trunk-like nose, according to Reuters.
A long snout is a common feature of various shrew species. Though many look like long-nosed mice, screws are not classified as rodents.
Dumbacher compared the newly discovered mammal to a small antelope, based on its physique and sleeping habits, and a smaller anteater, based on its preferred prey and hunting techniques.
The species has long, "spindly" legs, relative to its body size, and sleeps next bushes instead of burrowing. It uses its nose to sweep the ground to look for ants and other insects, like an anteater.
The shrew is prone to giving birth to twins, which "hit the ground running" like calves of specific types of African antelope, according to Reuters.
Biologists are going to return to Africa in a couple of months to outfit the new mammals with tiny radio collars to learn more about their habits, according to Dumbacher.
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