Tailless Tenrec
Kingdom
Phylum
Subphylum
Class
Order
Family
Subfamily
Genus
SPECIES
Tenrec ecaudatus
Population size
Unknown
Life Span
5-6 years
Weight
1.5-2.5
3.3-5.5
kglbs
kg lbs 
Length
26-39
10.2-15.4
cminch
cm inch 

The tailless tenrec (Tenrec ecaudatus ), also known as the common tenrec, is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is the only member of the genus Tenrec. Native to Madagascar, it is also found in the Comoros, Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles, where it has been introduced. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.

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The tailless tenrec is the largest species of the tenrec family, Tenrecidae. It is 26 to 39 cm (10 to 15½ in) in length and weighs up to 2 kilograms (4.4 lb). It has medium-sized, coarse grey to reddish-grey fur and long, sharp spines along its body. It not only eats small invertebrates and animals such as frogs and mice, it also eats leaves. If threatened, this tenrec will scream, erect its spiny hairs to a crest, jump, buck and bite. It shelters in a nest of grass and leaves under a rock, log or bush by day. It gives birth to a litter of as many as 32 young, with an average litter between 15 and 20 after a gestation of 50–60 days; when young, they have a black-and-white striped appearance. Despite being sometimes known as the tailless tenrec, they have a small tail 1 to 1.5 cm (⅜ to ½ in) in length.

The tenrec is the first known tropical mammal found to hibernate for long stretches without arousal periods, up to nine months at a time. The Tailless tenrec is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Promoniliformis ovocristatus.

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Appearance

The Tailless tenrec is the largest land-dwelling species of the tenrec family. They have medium-sized, coarse grey to reddish-grey fur and long, sharp spines along their body. The fur of these animals is not dense. It is a combination of hairs and blunt spines. Despite being sometimes known as Tailless tenrecs, they have a small tail.

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Distribution

Geography

Tailless tenrecs are native to Madagascar. They are also found in the Comoros, Mauritius, Réunion, and Seychelles, where these animals have been introduced. Tailless tenresc inhabit subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland, subtropical or tropical moist shrubland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude shrubland, subtropical or tropical dry lowland grassland, subtropical or tropical high-altitude grassland, arable land, pastureland, plantations, rural gardens, and urban areas.

Tailless Tenrec habitat map

Climate zones

Tailless Tenrec habitat map
Tailless Tenrec
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Habits and Lifestyle

Tailless tenrecs are solitary creatures. They forage and hibernate alone. When males meet during the breeding season they will fight one another. These tenrecs are often seen swimming in rice paddies during forages. The burrows of Tailless tenrecs are usually located near streams. They use two types of burrows: a hibernating burrow and a burrow of an active animal. Tailless tenrecs are the first known tropical mammals that hibernate for long stretches without waking up. They can hibernate for up to nine months at a time. If threatened, Tailless tenrecs will scream, erect their spiny hairs to a crest, jump, buck, hiss and bite.

Group name

Diet and Nutrition

Tailless tenrecs are omnivores. They mainly feed on small invertebrates but also scavenge and hunt frogs and mice. Their diet also includes vegetation and fruits.

Mating Habits

MATING BEHAVIOR
REPRODUCTION SEASON
October-November
PREGNANCY DURATION
50-60 days
BABY CARRYING
15-20 young
FEMALE NAME
sow
MALE NAME
boar
BABY NAME
hoglet, piglet

Tailless tenrecs exhibit a polygynandrous (promiscuous) mating system. This means that both, males and females have multiple partners during a breeding season. These animals breed in October and November. Females give birth to a litter of 32 young, with an average litter between 15-20. The gestation period lasts around 50-60 days. At birth little hoglets have a black-and-white striped appearance. Their eyes open between 9-14 days. At three weeks they begin to forage with their mother. At around 4 weeks hoglets nurse less and beging to take solid food. The young molt their characteristic stripes at 36 days, and leave the nest shortly after. They continue forage with mother for some time after leaving the nest.

Population

Population threats

There are no major threats to Tailless tenrecs. They locally suffer from hunting in some parts of their range and by fires, particularly in lowland dry deciduous areas.

Population number

According to IUCN, the Tailless tenrec is relatively common 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 and its numbers today are stable.

References

1. Tailless Tenrec on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailless_tenrec
2. Tailless Tenrec on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/40595/97204107

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