ABSTRACTThe reproductive ecology ofElephantulus brachyrhynchuswas studied in an area of mixed woodland in the Scngwa Wildlife Research Area, Zimbabwe (18d̀10'S, 28d̀10'E). The year may be divided into three seasons: a cool dry season from mid‐May to mid‐August, a hot dry season from September to November, and a warm wet season from December to April. No seasonal changes were observed in body mass and male reproductive activity. Reproduction occurred throughout the year, but conceptions and litter size were significantly reduced during the cool season. The average litter size of 51 pregnancies was 1.6 (SD 0.49). Adult females had the capacity to produce five to six litters each year for a total annual production of 8.3 young per female.Information on the ecology and reproductive biology of other members of the genus was reviewed to determine latitudinal trends in various life‐history parameters.The pregnancy rate and litter size are not influenced by rainfall and exhibit no seasonal variation close to the equator. At intermediate latitudes (15–20d̀) both parameters are reduced during the cooler period of the year, and at higher latitudes breeding ceases during die period of declining photoperiod. Thus, most young are produced during the warm season when insects are likely to be most available. Litter size increases with latitude, particularly above 15d̀. This increase does not totally compensate for the reduced period of breeding at higher latitudes and so the annual production of young per female is reduced at the northern and southern limits of the range of the genus.There is a particular need to study the general habits of species living at higher latitudes to assess how they adapt during the cold wi