In itself, the name ‘elephant shrew’ is a bit of an oxymoron. But when you see the creature itself, it all makes sense. Like an elephant, the North African Elephant Shrew has a tiny little trunk which it can move in a circular motion. And, like that of an elephant’s, the shrew’s trunk has nostrils located towards the tip.

If you’re wondering why this tiny animal has so much in common with elephants, prepare to have your mind blown: the North African Elephant Shrew is not, in fact, a shrew. Recent evidence suggests that this species, also called sengis, are more closely related to the group of African mammals that includes elephants, sea cows and aardvarks.