Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec
Echinops telfairi
Also known as Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec, Lesser Madagascar Tenrec
- Where to see one
- 20 U.S. zoos in our directory hold lesser hedgehog tenrec, confirmed against each zoo's own animal list.
- Native range
- Madagascar
- Size
- Head-body length 5–6.8 in (13–17 cm); weight about 7 oz (0.2 kg)
About the lesser hedgehog tenrec
The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stout-bodied mammal that looks a lot like a true hedgehog, which is where the common name comes from, even though it belongs to an entirely different family, Tenrecidae. It's the only species in its genus, Echinops, and it's named in honor of naturalist Charles Telfair. Like every tenrec, it's found only on Madagascar, where its natural habitats include subtropical and tropical dry forest, shrubland, and dry savanna.
The animal is compact, with limbs and a muzzle of moderate length, prominent ears, and a short tail. Sharp spines cover its entire back. Coloring is usually a yellowish buff, though individuals range from nearly white to almost black. Head-body length runs 5 to 6.8 inches (13 to 17 cm), and it weighs about 7 ounces (0.2 kg). Like all tenrecs, it has a cloaca — a single urogenital opening more typical of birds and reptiles than of mammals.
Behavior and diet
Diet
Mostly insects; occasionally small vertebrates
This tenrec is terrestrial, spending its daylight hours resting beneath a log, a pile of branches, leaves, or straw, or inside a hollow tree, even though trees are only thinly scattered across its native habitat. In hot weather it stretches out to sleep; otherwise it rests curled into a ball. During winter it drops into torpor to conserve energy.
Lesser hedgehog tenrecs feed mostly on insects, though they will take small vertebrates when the opportunity arises. They typically forage alone, and the main exception is a mother together with her young. Breeding is known to occur in October, timing that may depend on warm weather rousing the animals from winter torpor and on food becoming available again.
Range and habitat
Habitat
Subtropical and tropical dry forest, shrubland, and dry savanna
The species is native only to Madagascar. Its habitat there is dry rather than lush: subtropical and tropical dry forest, shrubland, and dry savanna, where trees are widely scattered. Even so, the tenrecs shelter under fallen branches, leaf litter, straw, or in a hollow tree.
Conservation status
The lesser hedgehog tenrec is listed as Least Concern. It has also become popular in the exotic pet trade, though the material available here doesn't identify specific threats to the wild population.
Where to see lesser hedgehog tenrec in the U.S.
20 zoos across 13 states
Find the closest one
Rank the 19 zoos holding lesser hedgehog tenrec by how far they are from you. Your location is used in your browser to sort this list and is never sent to us.
1 more zoo holds lesser hedgehog tenrec but has no coordinates on file yet, so it isn't ranked here. It's in the full list below.
California· 2
Colorado· 1
Georgia· 1
Idaho· 1
Illinois· 2
Indiana· 1
Kansas· 1
Louisiana· 2
Maryland· 1
Massachusetts· 2
New York· 2
Pennsylvania· 2
Wisconsin· 2
AZAThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Accredited members have passed an independent inspection of animal care and welfare, safety, conservation and education, repeated every five years. Many smaller facilities never apply, so “not accredited” isn't a verdict on its own. What accreditation means · How we check this
Built from each zoo's own published animal list.
Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec: common questions
Is the lesser hedgehog tenrec endangered?
No. It's classified as Least Concern.
How big does a lesser hedgehog tenrec get?
It's small, with a head-body length of 5 to 6.8 inches (13 to 17 cm) and a weight of about 7 ounces (0.2 kg).
What does a lesser hedgehog tenrec eat?
Mostly insects, though it will also take small vertebrates when it can.
Where do lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in the wild?
They're found only in Madagascar, in dry forest, shrubland, and dry savanna habitat.
Which U.S. zoos have lesser hedgehog tenrecs?
Ten zoos in our directory list the lesser hedgehog tenrec, including Zoo Atlanta, the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, and Oakland Zoo in California.
