Their legs are long and thin. Especially the hind legs are very lenghtened enabling elephant-shrews to move in a jumping way. They also have long tails, reminding of rats, and large eyes and ears. They even can be found in the Namib-desert, one of the dryest regions of the earth. Elephant-shrews live in pairs and defend territories.
Females drive away other females while males try to get rid off other males.
The one or two young are well developed at birth. They are able to run around just a few hours after birth.