The family Macroscelididae, commonly known as elephant shrews or sengis, is a group of small, insectivorous mammals native to Africa. Despite their name and superficial resemblance to shrews, they are not closely related to true shrews and belong to the order Macroscelidea. Members of this family are characterized by their elongated, flexible snouts, large eyes, and long legs adapted for rapid, bounding locomotion. They are primarily terrestrial and inhabit a range of environments, including forests, savannas, and scrublands. Macroscelididae are generally solitary or live in monogamous pairs, feeding on insects, spiders, and other small invertebrates, and are known for their remarkable agility and keen senses, which help them evade predators.