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Streaked tenrec - HEMICENTETES SEMISPINOSUS
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Tenrec": "Tenrec" is from the Madagascar Malagasy word "tandraka."
Description: A small insectivore with long snout and limbs, and a vestigial tail, the streaked tenrec has black fur with yellow longitudinal stripes dorsally, and light beneath. It has scattered quills, some barbed and detachable. Head and body length is 5 to 6.5", and it weighs about 7 oz.
Location: Madagascar.
Habitat: Tropical lowland rain forest.
Behavior: This small, terrestrial creature lives in long, shallow burrows dug in the damp humus and usually occupied by family groups. The streaked tenrec is active during the day and night, feeding primarily upon earthworms. It has warning coloration and effective defense. If threatened by a predator, such as a mongoose or fossa, the tenrec erects the barbed quills on its back and on the crest around its head, pointing them completely forward, and drives them into the attacker's nose or paws with body and head movements. Its nonbarbed quills, clustered in the middle of the back, produce a faint chattering sound when vibrated, and are used to communicate within family groups. A related, less spiny species inhabits the Madagascan plateau.
Reproduction: Breeding is in October-December and possibly other times, depending upon local food supply and temperature. Gestation is 58 days and litters usually vary between 5 to 8 young which are weaned at 18 to 25 days of age.
Go to the Insectivores Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Go to the Tail-less Tenrec or the Hedgehog Tenrec to study the other two tenrecs in America Zoo.
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