Large-eared tenrec

The Large-eared tenrec is the only tenrec in it’s genus and slightly resembles a mouse at first sight. The species is endemic to Madagascar.

Natural habitat

Their natural habitats consists of forests and shrublands, meaning they live in and around trees and spiny bushes in the tropical Madagascar nature. Some of the species of plants include Baobab trees, Madagascar banana trees, Octopus trees, Madagascar rosewood, Didiereoideae, Madagascar ocotillo, cashew trees and -shrubs and legumes amongst many others.

They mostly rely on termines as a food source, but they also eat other insects and sometimes fruits. They suffer from habitat loss due to industrialisation on Madagascar, which is why they have migrated into different regions outside of the forests and a lot about their habitat needs are still unknown.

Geography

The species lives in small populations in forests and shrublands, but have also been captured in the open savanna. Their high adaptability helps them to survive outside of forests due to their reliance on termites as a food source. They have known populations in Western and Southern Madagascar, south of the River Tsiribihina. It might also have populations in between these regions, but not a lot is known about the species to be sure of their habitat range.

Climate

Madagascar only knowns to seasons: a hot, rainy season from November to April and a cool, dry season from May to October. Read more about the climate in Madagascar on Climate Change Knowledge Portal.

Flora & fauna

Some of the species of plants include Baobab trees, Madagascar banana trees, Octopus trees, Madagascar rosewood, Didiereoideae, Madagascar ocotillo, cashew trees and -shrubs and legumes amongst many others.

Appearance

The Large-eared tenrec is a small animal that looks like a shrew with short, soft fur, a long hairy tail and large ears. Adults weigh between 5-8 grams and grow up to 6-7,5 centimeters in length. Their tail is half as long. The upperside of their body is grey to reddish brown and their belly is very light grey to white. They are distinguishable from other tenrecs within the Tenrecidae family by counting their teeth: they have 34 instead of 36.