It is found in Algeria, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia, and (since the extinction of the North African elephant) is the only extant afrotherian within its range.

[5] The North African elephant-shrew is a little rodent-like in appearance, having a small body, large ears, and a long tail.

The rear legs are longer than the forelimbs, an adaptation for running and jumping.

North African elephant-shrews use well-developed glands, placed under the tail, for marking territory.

[2] The North African sengi typically gives birth to litters of 1 to 4 young twice a year.