FaunaHub

Tenrec (family Tenrecidae)

MammalMadagascarInsectivore

Lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) with black-and-yellow spines, Madagascar.

Lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus), Masoala NP, Madagascar.

Image: Frank Vassen, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Overview

Tenrecs (family Tenrecidae) are a remarkably varied group of small mammals, most of them found only on Madagascar. From a single ancestral group, tenrecs have evolved to resemble hedgehogs, shrews, mice, and even otters — a striking example of how one lineage can radiate to fill many different roles. The lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus), shown here, is a vivid black-and-yellow, spiny species of the rainforest.

Tenrecs are often cited as one of the best mammalian examples of adaptive radiation, comparable in spirit to Darwin's finches but among mammals.

Note: “tenrec” covers many different species with very different appearances and habits; details here use the lowland streaked tenrec as a reference. Treat general statements as approximate and verify against authoritative sources.

Habitat & Range

Most tenrecs live on Madagascar, occupying habitats from rainforest and spiny forest to wetlands and human-altered areas; a few related species (otter shrews) live in mainland Africa. The lowland streaked tenrec favours humid eastern rainforest, where it forages in leaf litter and shelters in burrows.

Diet

Many tenrecs are insectivores or omnivores. The streaked tenrec specialises in earthworms and other soil invertebrates, while other tenrec species eat insects, invertebrates, small vertebrates, fruit, or a mix. Their teeth and snouts vary with diet across the family's many forms.

Behavior

The lowland streaked tenrec is unusual among mammals in apparently usingstridulation — rubbing specialised quills together to make high-pitched sounds — to communicate, especially between family members. Streaked tenrecs can be active by day and live in family groups, which is uncommon among tenrecs (many are solitary). Some other tenrecs can enter torpor or hibernation-like states to cope with lean seasons.

Human Interaction & Conservation

Tenrecs are an important part of Madagascar's unique mammal fauna and a favourite example in studies of evolution. Some larger tenrecs are hunted for food locally. As with much of Madagascar's wildlife, habitat loss is the main concern for forest-dependent species, while others are more adaptable. Consult authoritative sources for species-specific status.

More photos of the tenrec

A lowland streaked tenrec showing its spiny coat and yellow stripes.

Lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus).

Image: Thomas Fuhrmann, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Frequently Asked Questions — Tenrec

Is a tenrec a hedgehog?
No, although some spiny tenrecs look very much like hedgehogs. Tenrecs are a separate family (Tenrecidae), mostly from Madagascar, and their hedgehog-like forms are a case of convergent evolution — similar lifestyles producing similar bodies — rather than close relationship.
Why are tenrecs important to evolution studies?
Tenrecs are a classic example of adaptive radiation: from one ancestral group, they evolved into many forms resembling hedgehogs, shrews, mice, and otters, each suited to a different way of life. This makes them a mammalian parallel to famous examples like Darwin's finches.
Do streaked tenrecs really make sounds with their spines?
Yes — uniquely among mammals, the lowland streaked tenrec is thought to communicate partly by stridulation, rubbing specialised quills on its back together to produce high-pitched sounds. This is more typical of insects than mammals, and helps family members keep in contact.
Where do tenrecs live?
Almost all tenrecs are found on Madagascar, in habitats ranging from rainforest to spiny forest and wetlands; a few close relatives (otter shrews) live in mainland Africa. Their diversity on Madagascar is part of what makes the island's mammal fauna so distinctive.

Sources and further reading

Authoritative wildlife references used for general educational context. Conservation status should always be verified against current IUCN Red List data. External links open in a new tab.