Petrodromus tetradactylus
Silhouette: PhyloPic
In 3 days ~10% in a week ~30%
The four-toed sengi or four-toed elephant shrew (Petrodromus tetradactylus) is the only living species in the genus Petrodromus, which together with five other extant genera Rhynchocyon, Macroscelides, Petrosaltator, Galegeeska and Elephantulus constitutes the order Macroscelidea. This species of sengi is only found in particular regions in Africa and is smaller than its relatives. A comprehensive record of this species is lacking.
As its name suggests, the species has four toes on its hind feet, and like other sengis, it has been named for its elephant-like, mobile proboscis. The four-toed sengi is found in Central and Southern East Africa, notably in Angola, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and possibly Namibia. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, montane forests, and moist savannas. Throughout these countries, they are the second most widespread species, following the short-snouted sengi.
Specifically, they thrive in dense forests (notably in dense evergreen growths), woodlands and thickets, with suitable cover and protection, as well as invertebrates... Wikipedia →
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gonarezhou National Park | 🇿🇼 Zimbabwe | |
| 2 | Kruger National Park | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Rare
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Four-toed Elephant Shrew sighting in Kruger National Park on a given day, based on 11 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 50th most-seen of the 60 mammals we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 10%, and over a week to about 30%, if each day is a fresh chance.
April, July–August and December–January
In those months about 10% of wildlife watchers report a Four-toed Elephant Shrew in Kruger National Park on a given day, against under 5% in February–March, May–June and September–November, the lowest months.
Between 4 and 7 pm
Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most Four-toed Elephant Shrew sightings with a recorded time, and about 7 in 10 of them come between 6 pm and 6 am: it is mostly seen at night.
2nd of 2
Of the 2 parks where we can rate Four-toed Elephant Shrew sightings, Kruger National Park ranks 2nd at under 5%. The best odds are in Gonarezhou National Park (Zimbabwe, about 30%).
GBIF citizen-science records
It is estimated from how often the Four-toed Elephant Shrew is recorded against all the mammals logged in Kruger National Park (11 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.
