Lesser hedgehog tenrec
| Lesser hedgehog tenrec[1] | |
|---|---|
| File:Kleiner-igeltanrek-a.jpg | |
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Afrosoricida |
| Suborder: | Tenrecomorpha |
| Family: | Tenrecidae |
| Genus: | Echinops Martin, 1838 |
| Species: | E. telfairi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Echinops telfairi Martin, 1838
| |
| File:Echinops telfairi range map.svg | |
| Lesser hedgehog tenrec range | |
The lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only species in the genus Echinops and is named in honour of Charles Telfair.[1] It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests, shrubland, and shrubland and dry savanna.[2]
Description
[edit | edit source]The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stout-bodied animal visually similar to a 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 (13 to 17 cm). Weight is about 7 ounces (0.2 kg).
Lesser hedgehog tenrecs (like all tenrecs) have a cloaca (common urogenital opening), like a bird or a reptile.[3]
Behavior
[edit | edit source]This tenrec is terrestrial.[2] It spends its daytime hours resting under a log, a pile of branches, leaves, straws 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 to rest. It enters a state of torpor in the winter time.[3]
They mostly feed upon insects but may prey on small vertebrates, and usually forage alone, except for a mother with her young.[3]
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 lesser hedgehog tenrec is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Promoniliformis ovocristatus.[4]
Captivity
[edit | edit source]The lesser hedgehog tenrec has become popular in the exotic pet industry.[citation needed]
Parasites
[edit | edit source]The Acanthocephalan parasitic worm Promoniliformis ovocristatus was discovered in the intestine of the lesser hedgehog tenrec.[4][5]
References
[edit | edit source]- Simon and Schuster's Guide to Mammals
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Further reading
[edit | edit source]- Suárez R., Villalón A., Künzle H., Mpodozis J. (2009) "Transposition and Intermingling of Gαi2 and Gαo Afferences into Single Vomeronasal Glomeruli in the Madagascan Lesser Tenrec Echinops telfairi". PLoS ONE 4(11): e8005. Lua error in Module:Citation/CS1/Configuration at line 2172: attempt to index field '?' (a nil value).
External links
[edit | edit source]- View the Lesser hedgehog tenrec genome in Ensembl.
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