Rhynchocyon fossil map
Where fossils of Rhynchocyon have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 5 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 5 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 27.3–2.58 million years ago (Chattian to Piacenzian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Rhynchocyonidae |
| Named by | Peters 1847 |
| Fossil records | 16 occurrences at 7 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Kenya, Tanzania |
| Rock formations | Vogel River Series, Legetet, Kanapoi, Upper Koru Series, Muhroni Agglomerates |
About Rhynchocyon
Rhynchocyon is a genus of sengis in the family Macroscelididae. Members of this genus are known colloquially as giant sengis.
They are a ground-dwelling mammal, significantly larger than their relatives in the order Macroscelidea that live primarily in dense forests across eastern Africa. Habitats range from eastern Africa's coastal forests, Rift Valley highlands, and the Congo basin. The species is widely threatened, with two of four assessed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of Threatened Species. Habitat fragmentation from the growth of human settlements and activities are the primary threats to their populations. The genus contains the following five species and several subspecies:
Golden-rumped sengi, Rhynchocyon chrysopygus
Rhynchocyon chrysopygus mandelai
Chequered sengi, Rhynchocyon cirnei
Rhynchocyon cirnei shirensis
Rhynchocyon cirnei reichardi
Rhynchocyon cirnei hendersoni
Rhynchocyon cirnei macrurus
Black and rufous sengi, Rhynchocyon petersi
Rhynchocyon petersi adersi
Stuhlmann's sengi, Rhynchocyon stuhlmanni
Grey-faced sengi, Rhynchocyon udzungwensis
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Rhynchocyon (revision 1380972042), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q742434.
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