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Lesser hedgehog tenrec - ECHINOPS TELFAERI
Possibly Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Tenrec": "Tenrec" is from the Madagascar Malagasy word "tandraka." "Hedgehog" is a misnomer, since the animal is neither a hedge, nor a hog.
Description: A small, stout-bodied animal similar to the hedgehog, with short tail, and limbs and muzzle of moderate length, the hedgehog tenrec has prominent ears, and its entire back is covered with sharp spines. Its color usually yellow buff, but individuals range from near white to almost black. Head and body length is about 5 to 7", weight about 7 oz.
Location: Madagascar.
Habitat: Terrestrial and arboreal. Arid savanna, baobab, and brush.
Behavior: The lesser hedgehog tenrec is both terrestrial and arboreal, spending daytime hours resting under a log or in a hollow tree, although trees are widely scattered in its native habitat. In hot weather it sleeps with its body extended but otherwise lies in a curled position. It hibernates in winter. Echinops and the greater hedgehog tenrec are the only tenrec species completely covered with spines on the back, including the head, and it is able to roll into a tight ball for defense. Hedgehog tenrecs feed upon insects and other invertebrates as well as on small vertebrates, and usually forage alone except for a mother with young.
Reproduction: Breeding is known to occur in October but may depend on warm weather first arousing the animals from winter torpor, and also on an available food supply. Gestation is about 65 days, with litters averaging seven offspring. The babies are weaned at 18 to 22 days of age.
Go to the Insectivores Page to get a general discussion of these animals.
Go to the Streaked Tenrec or the Tailless Tenrec to study the other two tenrecs in America Zoo.
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