detects a predator within its escape distance, it will adopt a defensive position and will try to escape taking advantage of its agility and speed. If, however, the predator is outside its escape distance, the elephant shrew will advertise its presence by slapping the leaf litter, letting the predator know it has been spotted. In the event of a chase or an ambush, the golden-rumped's flash of fur will often deflect the predator's attention away from the head and onto the rump, which has thicker skin and could give them an opportunity to survive an attack. The protected rump is more pronounced in males than female, and this dermal shield is roughly three times thicker than the skin in the middle of its back. Each shrew maintains several nests so they cannot be easily found by leaving a trace or establishing a pattern. Threats and conservation The golden-rumped elephant shrew is classified as endangered largely due to a fragmented forest environment and anthropogenic factors. Their most notable population is in the Arabuko-Sokoke Forest in Kenya. They are subject to being caught in traps, but are not targeted as a source of food because of their poor taste. In the early 1990s, it was estimated that roughly 3,000 were caught yearly by trappers. Forest patrols have reduced trapping since then, but there are areas that are not patrolled, where trappers are able to trap freely. The Arabuko-Sokoke forest and other Kenyan forests where the shrews live, have the status of National Monuments, which prevents any further development, but does not particularly provide specific protection for them or for biodiversity. Due to their small populations, even though many are protected, their numbers are expected to continue to decline due to stochastic events and further anthropogenic disturbances. References Further reading Kingdom, J., Ed. The Kingdom Field Guide to African Mammals. 1997. Macdonald, D., Ed. The New Encyclopedia of Mammals. Oxford University Press. 2001. External links Golden-rumped Sengi (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus). Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE). Golden-rumped elephant-shrew (Rhynchocyon chrysopygus). ARKive. golden-rumped elephant shrew EDGE species Mammals of Kenya Endemic fauna of Kenya golden-rumped elephant shrew golden-rumped elephant shrew