Meet the tiny mouse-like creature with a TRUNK: New species is more-New-species-closely-related-elephant-shrew.

It may seem hard to believe that such an unusual looking animal has remained hidden for so long.
But scientists have only just discovered a new species of elephant shrew – or round-eared sengi - in the remote deserts of south western Africa.
While it is the smallest known member of the 19 sengis in the order Macroscelidea, the small creature is in fact genetically more closely related to an elephant than a true shrew.
Cute: Scientists have discovered a new species of elephant shrew - or round-eared sengi (pictured) - in the remote deserts of south western Africa
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Cute: Scientists have discovered a new species of elephant shrew - or round-eared sengi (pictured) - in the remote deserts of south western Africa
MACROSCELIDES MICUS
The Etendeka round-eared sengi, or Macroscelides micus, was found in a remote part of the Namid Desert in south western Africa.
It is the smallest of all elephant shrews or sengis.
The animal is the third new species of sengi to be discovered in a decade.
It has rust-coloured fur, a large, hairless gland on the underside of its tail and lacks dark skin pigment.
Genetic analysis showed important differences between this specimen and close relatives.
Sengis are restricted to Africa and despite their small size, are more closely related to elephants, manatees (known as sea cows) and aardvarks than they are to true shrews.
The Etendeka round-eared sengi, or Macroscelides micus, was discovered by scientists from the California Academy of Sciences. It is the third new species of elephant shrew to be found in the wild in the past de


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