Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec
Latin Name
Echinops telfairi
Class
Mammals
Order
Afrosoricida
Description
Echinops telfairi
Class
Mammals
Order
Afrosoricida
Description
Small, stubby animals with short tails, lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs' backs are covered in sharp spines. While most are buff colored, some are lighter or nearly black in color. They grow to about a half-foot in length, weighing only about seven ounces.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Southern Madagascar
Status
Threatened in the wild due to habitat loss.
Habitat
Both terrestrial (ground-dwelling) and arboreal (tree-dwelling), this species occupies savannas, forests and brush areas.
Niche
This tenrec primarily eats insects, though it also gobbles fruit.
Life History
Litters of as many as ten are delivered. These offspring become independent after about a month. Solitary creatures, tenrecs feed mainly at night. When food is scarce in winter, lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs hibernate.
