Streaked tenrec
The lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus ) is a small tenrec found in Madagascar. It belongs to the family Tenrecidae in the order Afrosoricida, and more specifically to the subfamily of the spiny tenrecs Tenrecinae. Its natural habitats are in tropical lowland rain forests in northern and eastern parts of Madagascar.
It is very closely related to the Highland streaked tenrec.
Lowland streaked tenrecs are small insectivorous mammals from Madagascar. Their snouts are long and pointed, while the coat exhibits spines. They are distinguished by two main features: the first is a rather long, black-colored nose and the other feature is a black-colored coat, displaying yellow stripes and bright yellow spine crests, located over the top of their head and acts as a mean of self-defense against predators.
The natural range of these animals covers the northern and eastern parts of Madagascar, where they inhabit scrubland, tropical lowland rain forests as well as agricultural land and rural gardens.
The Lowland streaked tenrec is the only sociable tenrec species, gathering into groups. Groups of these animals are family units, consisting of up to 20 animals. They are diurnal creatures and can forage both solitarily and in small groups. They can be found on land, splashing in shallow waters, or digging underground. During the winter months (May-October) they conserve heat by reducing their body temperature to that of the air, meanwhile remaining active. However, when it gets too cold, tenrecs usually undergo periods of torpor. Nesting sites of lowland tenrecs are located near water, in fixed burrows. Their latrine sites are hidden in leaves and are typically situated near the entrance of the nest. Members of a group dig burrows, which are connected to each other, forming a complex burrow system, belonging to one group. Group members communicate through stridulating special quills. When threatened, tenrecs raise the quills, surrounding their neck. If threatened, they usually try to prickle the opponent with their quills, accompanying it with violent bucking of their head.
Lowland streaked tenrecs are carnivorous (vermivorous or worm-eating) animals. They primarily feed on earthworms and supplement their diet with various insects.
Little is known about the reproductive system of this species. It's known that, during the mating season, males compete with each other, engaging in fights in order to attract the attention of receptive females. Lowland tenrecs mate in September-December. The gestation period lasts for 55-63 days, yielding 2-11 young with an average of 5-8 per litter. Male Lowland tenrecs are careful to young. Weaning occurs at 18-25 days old. Females of this species reach reproductive maturity as early as 25 days old, being the only tenrecs that begin breeding during the same season in which they were born.
Along with many other animals in Madagascar, these tenrecs are primarily threatened by the loss of their natural habitat as a result of continuous deforestation. In addition, this species is hunted for food.
According to IUCN, the Lowland streaked tenrec is very abundant and widespread throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List.
Feeding upon worms, Lowland streaked tenrecs control populations of these invertebrates, thus playing an important role in the ecosystem of their habitat.
