A tenrec (/ ˈ t ɛ n r ɛ k /) is a mammal belonging to any species within the afrotherian family Tenrecidae, which is endemic to Madagascar. [2] Tenrecs are a very diverse group, as a result of adaptive radiation, and exhibit convergent evolution, [3] some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats, and mice.

"Tenrecidae" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed March 20, 2025 at https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Tenrecidae/ Disclaimer: The Animal Diversity Web is an educational resource written largely by and for college students .

Tenrecinae is a tenrec subfamily endemic to the island of Madagascar. [1] It contains the largest species in the family, Tenrec ecaudatus. [2] All members of the genus possess spines, analogous to those of hedgehogs, for defense against predators.. Tenrecinae is thought to have split from the lineages of all other extant tenrecs about 36 million years ago.

Tenrec, (family Tenrecidae), any of 29 species of shrewlike and hedgehoglike mammals. Most are endemic to Madagascar and nearby islands, but the otter shrews (subfamily Potamogalinae) are native to the African mainland.

There are about 36 species of tenrec, all belonging to a family called Tenrecidae. But despite being close relatives, these animals don't look much like one another at all. 'Tenrecs are wonderfully weird,' says senior researcher Dr Natalie Cooper, who's spent time in Madagascar studying these animals. 'They are my favourite group of mammals.'

Dec 10, 2024 · Tenrecs are a group of placental mammals belonging to the family Tenrecidae that have exclusively colonized the island of Madagascar. They are characterized by pointed snouts and tiny yet distinct ears.

Tenrecidae range from small- to medium-sized mammals and span a remarkable morphological gamut from the large (up to 44 lb; 2 kg) spiny tenrec, the hedgehog-like Echinops and Setifer, the desman-like Limnogale, the mouse-like Geogale, the molelike Oryzorictes, and the shrew-like Microgale (with adults of some species weighing less than 0.14 oz ...

May 27, 2024 · Tenrecs are in the family Tenrecidae. They are a family of small, spiny mammals found in Africa, Madagascar, and the Americas. They resemble hedgehogs, shrews, and moles; however, they are unrelated and have their evolutionary track.

A tenrec is any species of mammal within the afrotherian family Tenrecidae endemic to Madagascar. Tenrecs are widely diverse; as a result of convergent evolution some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats, or mice.

Apr 27, 2023 · The classification of tenrecs has varied over time, making them a taxonomically peculiar group. They all belong to the Tenrecidae family and their current taxonomy considers three groups divided into subfamilies and about 31 species. There may be certain discrepancies, especially with older references that may report about 34 species of the ...