Lesser hedgehog tenrec

The lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae.

This article is about the mammal genus. For the plant genus, see Echinops.

Lesser hedgehog tenrec[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Afrosoricida
Suborder: Tenrecomorpha
Family: Tenrecidae
Genus: Echinops
Martin, 1838
Species:
E. telfairi
Binomial name
Echinops telfairi
Martin, 1838
Lesser hedgehog tenrec range

It is the only species in the genus Echinops and is named in honour of Charles Telfair.[1]

Distribution and habitat

It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, dry savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, and subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland.[2]

Description

The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stout-bodied animal similar to the hedgehog, hence the name. Their tails are short, their limbs and muzzles are of moderate length, and their ears are prominent. The entire dorsum is covered with sharp spines. Color is usually yellow buff; individuals range from near white to almost black. Head and body length is 5 to 6.8 inches (13 to 17 cm). Weight is about 7 ounces (0.2 kg).

Tenrecs have a cloaca (common uro-genital opening), like a bird or a reptile.[3]

Behavior

This tenrec is terrestrial.[2] It spends its daytime hours resting under a log, a pile of branches, leaves, straws 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 to rest. It enters a state of torpor in the winter time.[3]

They mostly feed upon insects but may prey on small vertebrates, and usually forage alone, except for a mother with her young.[3]

Breeding is known to occur in October but may depend on warm weather first arousing the animals from winter torpor and on an available food supply.

The Lesser hedgehog tenrec is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Promoniliformis ovocristatus.[4]

Captivity

The lesser hedgehog tenrec has become popular in the exotic pet industry.

References
  • Simon and Schuster's Guide to Mammals
  1. Bronner, G.N.; Jenkins, P.D. (2005). "Order Afrosoricida". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
  2. Stephenson, P.J.; Soarimalala, V.; Goodman, S. (2016). "Echinops telfairi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN. 2016: e.T40592A97188634. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T40592A97188634.en. Retrieved 14 December 2019.
  3. "Tenrecs in Madagascar | IUCN Afrotheria Specialist Group". afrotheria.net.
  4. Dollfus, Robert-Ph.; Golvan, Yves-J. (1963). "Sur un singulier Métacanthocéphale parasite d'insectivores (Tenrecinae) de Madagascar et des Comores" (PDF). Annales de Parasitologie Humaine et Comparée. 38 (5): 793–806. doi:10.1051/parasite/1963385793. Retrieved February 9, 2020.

Further reading
  • Suárez R., Villalón A., Künzle H., Mpodozis J. (2009) "Transposition and Intermingling of Gαi2 and Gαo Afferences into Single Vomeronasal Glomeruli in the Madagascan Lesser Tenrec Echinops telfairi". PLoS ONE 4(11): e8005. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0008005
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