tenrecs

Tenrecs are a diverse group of small to medium-sized mammals in the family Tenrecidae, native to Madagascar and parts of mainland Africa. They belong to the order Afrosoricida, a group within Afrotheria, and represent one of the notable mammalian radiations that evolved on Madagascar. The family comprises numerous species that vary dramatically in size, fur type, and ecology.

Tenrecs show a wide array of forms. Some species have spiny fur similar to hedgehogs, while others have silky fur and are more otter-like; several lineages are fossorial or aquatic, and others are arboreal. They share a number of dental and skeletal features typical of Afrosoricida, but their bodies are highly specialized to different habitats.

Tenrecs occupy a variety of habitats, from humid forests to savannas and wetlands. They are mostly nocturnal and insectivorous or omnivorous, feeding on insects, small invertebrates, fruit, and occasionally small vertebrates. Reproduction is varied; species differ in litter size and duration of parental care, with some producing multiple offspring after a relatively short gestation and others with longer care.

The tenrecs form the family Tenrecidae within Afrosoricida. Madagascar's long isolation contributed to their diverse forms through adaptive radiation. Phylogenetically, tenrecs are closely related to golden moles within Afrosoricida, rather than to hedgehogs or true shrews.

Many tenrec species have declining populations due to habitat loss and introduced predators on Madagascar. A few species remain common, but overall the group faces conservation challenges in several regions.