Fun Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Facts For Kids

Hedgehogs are small spiny animals. There are a total of 17 species of these mammals. Hedgehogs might be similar in size to rodents however they are not rodents. They belong to the class Mammalia, order Afrosoricida, family Tenrecidae, genus Echinops. The Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec is seen in southern and southwestern Madagascar.

These spiky creatures are fairly solitary but are also protective. They have a stable population and are not thought to be in danger. The lesser hedgehog tenrecs are omnivores and they feed on small birds, insects, larvae, and sometimes even their own young!

Interested to find out more? There are many exciting facts to learn about this hedgehog, so keep reading below. If you like this article then check out the gopher and badger fact as well.

Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec?

The Lesser hedgehog tenrec is a type of hedgehog.

What class of animal does a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec belong to?

The Lesser hedgehog tenrec belongs to the Mammalia class of species order Afrosoricida, family Tenrecidae, genus Echinops.

How many Lesser Hedgehog Tenrecs are there in the world?

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs' exact population size in the world is not evaluated and they are classified as Least Concern species by the IUCN red list.

Where does a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec live?

They are seen in western parts and the island of Madagascar. They reside close to regions where they can find possible prey.

What is a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec's habitat?

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in dry deciduous forests, trees, grasslands, farm areas, or even a house. They don't reside out in the open but build small tree hollows by day and make a cozy den.

Who do Lesser Hedgehog Tenrecs live with?

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs are largely solitary beings and also group up together during a period of inactivity or lethargy.  

How long does a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec live?

Lesser hedgehog tenrecs live up to 10 years in the wild and 13 years in captivity. This depends on various factors like their diet and environment.

How do they reproduce?

Mating season is usually in October. Sexual maturity is reached post the first cold season once they hibernate and their body temperature drops and they have a slow metabolism.

This acts as a process of saving up energy for the next season. The gestation period lasts 61-68 days and they give birth to five to seven young ones.

In some instances, these species are known to give birth to 10 as well. The offspring are kept in underground holes or tree cavities. The juveniles when born are born extremely helpless and are dependent on their parents.

After a month, however, they become independent. These species are known to be among the robust wildlife reproductively and can reproduce for 32 years.

Mothers may eat their offspring to protect them from predators if they sense any. Such habits are more of a survival technique as compared to feeding on them for nutrition.

What is their conservation status?

The hedgehog tenrec (lesser) is classified as Least Concern by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature (IUCN).

Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec Fun Facts

What do Lesser Hedgehog Tenrecs look like?

The hedgehog tenrec (lesser) characteristics appear like a spiky small-sized species. They have small teeth and a small face with a snout and a spiny coat. They have a yellow buff and are white to black.

They have a common urogenital opening similar to a bird or reptile. Females have a cloaca which is a single reproductive, intestinal organ. They have poor eyesight however they have a good sense of hearing and smell as well.

Their tails are short and barely visible. They also have paws that are covered by hair and their underbelly is comparatively darker. When threatened they roll up into a ball and hiss or grind their teeth.

How cute are they?

The lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec description is cute. They have extremely cute features and are small-sized animals that reside in forests and other regions including grasslands.

If you spot a species of hedgehog make sure to observe them from a distance else chances are it will roll up into a ball-like shape and grind its teeth to shoo you away.

How do they communicate?

Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec communication channels range from visual, to acoustic as well as others. They utilize hissing, twittering, grunting, and echolocation as well. They also make use of their scent to communicate.

How big is a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec?

The lesser hedgehog tenrec is 7 in (18 cm) in length which is five times bigger than the smallest species of mammal, the bumblebee bat which is 1.14-1.29 in (29-33 mm).

How fast can a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec run?

The average hedgehog's running speed is four mph. Apart from running they are also great swimmers and can travel up to 1.24 mi (2 km) at night in search of food.

How much does a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec weigh?

The lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec weight is 4-7 oz (113-255 g). The world's fattest hedgehog weighed 2.335 kg (5 lb) which is four times the size of a common hedgehog.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrecs' male hedgehog is called a boar and females are known as sows. Males are not involved in raising the young while females are and this is similar to various other species of animals.  

What would you call a baby Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec?

A baby lesser Madagascar hedgehog tenrec is called a hoglet and they are lactose intolerant. They are fed other kinds of food. They are cute terrestrial beings and completely dependent on their mother.

What do they eat?

They consume an omnivorous diet. They feed on food including insects, larvae, birds' eggs, and other plant-based material like certain fruits occasionally but not regularly. In the wild, they feed on similar matter and utilize their teeth to crush possible prey. Females feed their young ones as well until they are independent.  

Are they dangerous?

No, they are not dangerous but it's best to maintain a safe distance from wild species while observing them. Their predators include snakes, birds, dogs, and cats. When threatened these tenrecs leave out their sharp spines and they also grind their teeth. If bitten by predators the spines get stuck in their mouth first.

Would they make a good pet?

The lesser hedgehog tenrec can cost about $100-$300. However, it's illegal to own these species in various parts of the world, for example, California.

Lesser hedgehog tenrec care consists of ensuring the legalities are met and once adopted they need to be checked for illnesses. Apart from this, they need water, exercise, and food to survive. They need particular kinds of bedding and grooming supplies which will add additional costs.

Also, they are not accustomed to human interactions hence they need to be held regularly for certain durations to make them accustomed to it. They have a habit of spreading their scent on things including humans who hold them and this may include their saliva.

Hedgehogs and tenrec species are amazing animal ambassadors, however, they don't make the best of pets. Animal ambassadors are individuals of a species that live permanently at a center or zoo.

These animal ambassadors can be considered the most important species of their kind hence the name.

If you cannot adopt one you could visit a lesser hedgehog tenrec zoo exhibit or enclosure like the lesser hedgehog tenrec Florida Zoo and botanical gardens to see these unique species. Zoos also hold education programs to teach students about various topics and visiting conservation centers to engage in such education programs is truly enriching.

Did you know...

The African pygmy hedgehog is the smallest species of hedgehog in the world. Their average length is 7-9 in (17.78-22.86 cm) long. The Europaeus is the longest species of hedgehog and grows between 9.44 in (24 cm).

The Malagasy word for tenrec is 'Tandraka'.

Tenrecs and hedgehogs have a major difference while tenrecs may attack possible predators hedgehogs roll up into a spiny ball and grind their teeth together.

What is the difference between a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec and a regular hedgehog?

A unique ability that the lesser hedgehog possess is their ability to climb utilizing their long toes to hold onto branches. This ability is not present in regular hedgehogs.

Also, regular hedgehogs' features are slightly different. Regular hedgehogs are widespread as compared to the Lesser hedgehog tenrec who are rarely found as pet animals in the United States in comparison to other species of hedgehogs since they are native to southern and southwestern Madagascar regions.

How did the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec get its name?

Lesser in Greek means minor and is a popular phrase utilized to name minor species of various kinds. Tenrec comes from the British naturalist Charles Telfair to honor the great personality - there is also a university named after him.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other mammals from our nutria fun facts and naked mole-rat facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable Lesser Hedgehog tenrec coloring pages.