Madagascar hosts lemurs, fossas, aye-ayes, and a number of other species found nowhere else in the world. There are about 30 species of tenrec, most of whom live on the island of Madagascar. Let’s explore some cool and weird animals that live in Madagascar. Tenrecs are currently included in the Insectivora order although new evidence suugests they should be "placed within a group of African mammals, the Afrotheria, which includes aardvarks, elephants, hyraxes, sea cows, elephant shrews, and golden moles" (Walker's Mammals of the World). Tenrec, (family Tenrecidae), any of 29 species of shrewlike and hedgehoglike mammals. Tenrec, (family Tenrecidae), any of 29 species of shrewlike and hedgehoglike mammals. Do you see the red island on the map of Africa? That island is called Madagascar. The lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) belongs to the family Tenrecidae in the order Afrosoricida, and more specifically to the subfamily of the spiny tenrecs Tenrecinae. The average body size for H. semispinosus is a length of 140 mm (5.5 in) however adults have been recorded to grow up to a maximum of 172 mm (6.8 in). In many ways Tenrecs look much like our … Roaming about the islands of Madagascar and the Comoro's, off the shores of Africa's east coast, lives a little known animal that is sometimes mistaken for a hedgehog. These are the rare and unusual Hedgehog Tenrecs. Lowland Streaked Tenrec Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology. There are 34 species of tenrec, with a large range of diversity between the various members of this group. ... Where do Tenrecs Live? The Lowland Streaked Tenrec inhabits a rather limited range. They occupy the same ecological niche as hedgehogs would do, and are often used as an example of convergent evolution. Overview “Where I live” Lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in dry forested areas of southern and southwestern Madagascar. Tenrecs are small mammals in the family Tenrecidae, which are native to Madagascar and a few areas of mainland Africa. The shrewlike tenrecs, such as the long-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita), have Tenrecs prefer areas near the water. Yellow quills on the Lowland streaked tenrec's head form a crown. Its range consists almost entirely of lowland (hence the name) tropical rainforest. Common tenrec, also known as tailless tenrec, is a type of mammal with unusual characteristics. Tenrecs exhibit a range of diverse forms -- resembling hedgehogs, mice, shrews, opossums, and even otters (a rare species in Madagascar found in aquatic habitats). … In order to turn away intruders, the animal raises the quills. A magical land in the Indian Ocean, Madagascar's wildlife is unique and its forests are full of surprises. Tenrecs are unusual insectivores that have radiated into ecological niches filled in other lands by hedgehogs, mice, shrews, opossums, and even otters. The shrewlike tenrecs, such as the long-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita), have While a few species of tenrec are found in central Africa, they are most diverse in Madagascar which has around 30 species. Most are endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands, but the otter shrews (subfamily Potamogalinae) are native to the African mainland. 21 Weird Animals That Live in … Depending on the species, tenrecs have between 32 and 42 teeth. There are four sub-families of tenrecs, and the Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec is part of the Tenrecinae, or spiny tenrec, group. Tenrecs are insectivores (mammals) found on Madagascar and in parts of western Africa. Indigenous people hunt tenrec because of its meat. Common tenrec can be found in subtropical and tropical forests, savannas, scrublands, pastures and urban areas. Tenrecs can be found in parts of mainland Africa, but most of them live on the island of Madagascar. This creature lives on the Madagascar and on the nearby islands. This species is closely related to the highland streaked tenrec, inhabiting the central upland parts of Madagascar. Overview. Most are endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands, but the otter shrews (subfamily Potamogalinae) are native to the African mainland. Tenrec Facts for Kids. Characteristics. The species is found throughout less than half of the island of Madagascar, near Africa. There are over 25 species of tenrecs, each adapted for living in water or trees or on the ground. In fact, there are some animals in Madagascar that don’t live anywhere else in the world. Most of them live in Madagascar, with some on Comoro Islands and mainland Africa. The family name Tenrecidae, common name Tenrecs, is a family of mammals endemic to Magagascar and parts of Africa. When threatened, it fiercely attacks the opponent with its head-butt.