# Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (*echinops telfairi*) The Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec is a small, adorable mammal that loves to explore its surroundings. With its spiky fur and tiny face, it's a fun animal to learn about and watch in the wild! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** This species lives in the forests and shrublands of Madagascar. - **Also known as:** Madagascar Tenrec, Spiny Tenrec, Tenrec ![Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Kleiner-igeltanrek-a.jpg&width=800) Photo: Wilfried Berns www.Tierdoku.com, CC BY-SA 2.0 de · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Kleiner-igeltanrek-a.jpg) ## Appearance The Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec has a small, compact body covered in short, stiff quills that range from greyish-brown to creamy white. It has a pointed snout, relatively large ears, and small eyes, giving it a more delicate appearance than a true hedgehog. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Afrosoricida - **Family:** Tenrecidae - **Genus:** Echinops ## Interesting facts - During the dry season, they can 'sleep' for months, lowering their body temperature to save energy! - They are not true hedgehogs; they're more related to elephants than typical hedgehogs! - They sometimes 'anoint' themselves with saliva mixed with strong smells, a mysterious behavior! - Unlike porcupines, their quills are smooth and just for protection, not barbed or thrown! ## Special abilities - **Quill Shield:** Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec can roll into a tight, spiky ball because it helps them become a difficult meal for predators. - **Torpor Master:** Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec has the ability to enter torpor, a deep sleep, that helps them survive long dry seasons. - **Night Hunter Senses:** Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec can find hidden prey because of their excellent sense of smell and large, sensitive ears. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 12-17 cm - **Weight:** 0.1-0.25 kg - **Lifespan:** 6-10 years - **Speed:** 8 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1-8 - **Gestation:** 47-50 days ## Diet & Feeding These tiny tenrecs mostly munch on insects and other small critters they forage for at night. - **Primary Foods:** Crickets, Mealworms, Grasshoppers, Spiders - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Fossa](https://www.snappit.app/explore/fossa) (*Cryptoprocta ferox*) — Fossa often hunt these tenrecs, especially younger or exposed individuals. - **Eaten by:** [Barn Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barn-owl) (*Tyto alba*) — Barn owls are opportunistic predators, including tenrecs in their diet. - **Eats:** African two-spotted cricket (*Gryllus bimaculatus*) — Feeds heavily on crickets, a vital energy source in its natural habitat. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec? 12-17 cm ### How much does Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec weigh? 0.1-0.25 kg ### How long does Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec live? 6-10 years ### How fast can Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec move? 8 km/h ### What does Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec eat? These tiny tenrecs mostly munch on insects and other small critters they forage for at night. ### Where is Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec usually found? This species lives in the forests and shrublands of Madagascar. ### How does Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/lesser-hedgehog-tenrec)