Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec

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*This page is under renovation and all information may not be up-to-date or complete*

Description

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs are small animals with spines and bristles covering their backs. Their face, belly, and legs are covered in a thin layer of fur. Lesser hedgehog tenrecs have long pointed snouts with small, dark eyes, and small claws on all of their fingers and toes.

Range & Habitat

As their name suggests, lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs are native to the island of Madagascar. They are primarily found on the southwestern portion of the island and on the nearby Comoro Islands.

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in dry forests, coastal regions, shrublands, and semi-desert areas, seeking shelter in tree cavities.

At the Virginia Zoo, tenrecs are animal ambassadors and live behind the scenes.

Behavior

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs are generally solitary, hunting and foraging alone except in the case of a mother with her young. They are primarily nocturnal and use their strong senses of hearing and smell to navigate their environment.

These tenrecs undergo torpor, a state of decreased physiological activity similar to hibernation, for three to five months during the colder, dry season. Torpor reduces a tenrec’s body temperature, breathing rate, and heart rate to conserve energy. Mating season typically begins in October when tenrecs emerge from torpor.

Diet

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs are opportunistic omnivores. Typically, they prefer insect prey found either on the ground or in trees. Occasionally, they will eat other small mammals, like baby mice.

Conservation

Populations of lesser hedgehog tenrecs are considered to be stable throughout most of their range. However, their habitat in Madagascar is threatened with human encroachment, wildfires, overhunting, and invasive species.

Fun Facts

• Although they may resemble hedgehogs, tenrecs are not closely related to them. They are more closely related to elephants and rock hyraxes!
• Tenrecs have a cloaca like birds or reptiles, which is a single opening to the reproductive, digestive, and urinary tracts. Most mammals have separate openings for each bodily function!
• Another name for this species is “Madagascar pygmy hedgehog tenrec”.

Virginia Zoo Animals

Males: Bowie (born: 6/5/2014), Bruce Quillis (6/15/2017), Quilly Wonka (6/15/2017)

Female: Quillma (6/15/2017)