Average body length is 21 cm and tail length is approximately the same. Short-snouted elephant shrews vary in color depending on geographic location. All short-snouted elephant shrews have a faint white ring around the eyes. The gestation period is between 57 and 65 days. Short-snouted elephant shrews are monogamous.
Reproduction occurs throughout the year although conceptions decrease during cool periods.
Behavior Short-snouted elephant shrews are diurnal and most active during the morning. They are primarily solitary but sometimes are observed in pairs. Short-snouted elephant shrews are highly territorial. This activity is called footdruming and is often a response to a stressful situation, such as encounters with a predator, or associated with mating. Each species has its own pattern or signal of footdrumming.