| Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec[1] | |
|---|---|
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Afrosoricida |
| Family: | Tenrecidae |
| Genus: | Echinops Martin, 1838 |
| Species: | E. telfairi |
| Binomial name | |
| Echinops telfairi Martin, 1838 |
|
| Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec range | |
The Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is a species of mammal in the Tenrecidae family.
It is the only species in the genus Echinops and is named in honour of Charles Telfair.[1]
Contents |
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]
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. Weight is about 7 ounces.
This tenrec is both terrestrial and arboreal.
It spends its 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 the winter time.
They feed upon, as to an insectivore, insects, but sometimes other small invertebrates as well as small vertebrates, and usually forage alone, except for a mother with her young.
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 gestation period lasts 62 to 65 days. The female then gives birth to averagely 7 babies (1-10). The young are weaned at 18 to 22 days of age.
Simon and Schuster's Guide to Mammals