Streaked tenrec pictures and facts

The lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) is a small mammal with huge yellow and black stripes. A tenrec is a hedgehog-like mammal with a long snout. The lowland streaked tenrec lives only on the island of Madagascar’s eastern side. Unlike most mammals in Madagascar, this one is not endangered.

That can soon change if Madagascar’s rainforests and marshes continue to be destroyed. Lowland streaked tenrecs eat insects, especially earthworms, which thrive in wooded areas near water. Although there are tenrecs in protected areas of Madagascar, biologists fear that tourists or curious natives could disturb their life and communications to the point where they may die from stress.

Physical Description

The lowland streaked tenrec has a body similar to a pygmy hedgehog, but has a long snout like an anteater. The snout is tipped in pink skin. The undersides of this little mammal are a chestnut brown, but on top they are striped like a bumblebee in yellow and black. Adults grow to only 6.3 to 7.48 inches (16 to 19 centimeters) long and weigh 3.17 to 7.76 ounces (90 to 220 grams.)

But it’s this little mammal’s large spines that are truly remarkable. The spines along the flanks and back serve a dual purpose. They not only help protect the tenrec against predators such as domestic dogs, mongooses,