Kingdom: Animals
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Insectivores
Family: 6
Species: 365
If you were to guess what an insectivore eats, what would you say? If you said insects, you are partially correct. Different species will dine on plants, fish, frogs, crabs, eggs, scorpions, and yes, insects. Insectivores usually have long slender noses and an excellent sense of smell.
Lesser Madagascar Tenrec
Order: Insectivores
Family: Tenrecidae
Range: Madagascar
Habitat: Forest & Grassland
Conservation Status: Least Concern – Like many animals in Madagascar, tenrec populations are vulnerable to loss of forest habitat on the island.
Scientific Name: Echinops telfairi
Our lesser hedgehog tenrecs (Echinops telfairi) are used for mobile zoo programs and are favorites of our volunteers. They look like a hedgehog, but they are not. There are 25 species of tenrec which are mostly found on Madagascar, but some are native to mainland Africa. Their closest relatives are moles and shrews. A tenrec’s coat is made up of thick, stiff hairs that look very much like spines or quills. Its belly is covered with short, soft fur. When scared, tenrecs curl up in a ball with their spines erect to protect them from predators. If rolling into a ball does not keep a predator away, the tenrec goes on the offensive, charging at the intruder with their teeth bared. Don’t upset a tenrec!