elephant shrew

noun

1. any of several African insectivores of the family Macroscelididae, having long hind legs and a long, sensitive snout.

elephant shrew

noun

1. any small active African mammal of the family Macroscelididae and order Macroscelidea , having an elongated nose, large ears, and long hind legs

Word History and Origins

Origin of elephant shrew¹

First recorded in 1865–70

Example Sentences

That's especially evident in the sequence with an elephant shrew in Africa.

From The Daily Beast

Another underground-dweller is the elephant shrew of South America.

From Project Gutenberg