Highland streaked tenrecs are found in schlerophyllous and montane forests and adjacent areas at elevations of 1550 to 1800 m. They occur both in primary rainforests and in introduced forests of eucalyptus and pine. They are most commonly found at forest fringes on the central plateau edge and near cultivated fields and rice paddies. Although they are very similar, H. semispinosus, (lowland streaked tenrecs) generally do not live sympatrically. In Andringitra and Ivohibe Massifs, the only known areas where where their ranges overlap, these two species inhabit different elevations. occupies higher elevations, and its elevation range is the same regardless of range overlap with lowland streaked tenrecs. (Garbutt, 2007; Jolly, et al., 1984; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996; Stephenson, et al., 1994)and its close relative
Highland streaked tenrecs are fairly slender, have a total body length of 120 to 160 mm and a weight of 70 to 160 g (average 100 g). They do not exhibit sexual dimorphism. They have a long, pointed snout and lack a tail. Their skull has an elongate rostrum and their dentition is reduced in size, which is most likely an adaptation to eating relatively soft invertebrates. Highland streaked tenrecs have barbed, detachable quills covering their body, which are more pronounced around the crown. They have thick fur located between their quills and are blackish-brown in color with longitudinal whitish streaks. Their crown and forehead are black, and their underparts are creamy-white and less spiny. Along the back of highland streaked tenrecs are sensory hairs similar to whiskers. There is a specialized area on their rear called the stridulating organ that is attached to approximately 11 non-detachable quills that are used for communication. Lowland streaked tenrecs are very similar in size, shape, and coloration to highland streaked tenrecs. Lowland streaked tenrecs, however, have yellower streaks, a stripe running from their crown to the tip of their snout, and less developed underfur, giving them a spinier look. (Garbutt, 2007; Gould and Eisenberg, 1966; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
During courtship, a male highland streaked tenrec hisses loudly while approaching a female. He pushes his upturned snout into her cheeks and ears and into the quills on her body and nuchal crest, while continuing to hiss. If a female is unreceptive, she wards off the male by bucking her head, partially erecting her spine, and emitting a high-pitched chirp. If the female is receptive, she relaxes her quills and allows copulation. During copulation, a male's quills are erect over most of the body and his stridulating organ is very active. The stridulating organ of the female, however, is still. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996; Stephenson, et al., 1994)
Reproduction of highland streaked tenrecs varies but generally take place during the wet season (November to April). After a gestation period of 55 to 63 days, a litter of 2 to 8 is born. At birth, juveniles weigh around 8 g. Young develop very quickly; their eyes open within 7 to 8 days of birth, and they are weened within 18 to 25 days. Females reach sexual maturity at 35 to 40 days of age. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996; Stephenson, et al., 1994)
Highland streaked tenrecs are altricial, so females provide food, shelter, and protection and groom their young until they are able to provide for themselves. Little is otherwise known regarding parental investment of highland streaked tenrecs. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996; Stephenson, et al., 1994)
Because most highland strekaed tenrecs are more commonly observed in captivity, little is known about their lifespan in the wild. In captivity, they generally live 2 years, though some have survived up to 3 years. (Gould and Eisenberg, 1966; Stephenson, et al., 1994)
Highland streaked tenrecs are nocturnal, and their activity peaks 3 to 4 hours after darkness. Reductions in day length, food supply and ambient temperature induce torpor. Torpor is also affected by endogeneous rhythms and occurs more often between May and October when temperatures are higher. During torpor, highland streaked tenrecs sleep in a curled position on their backs or sides with their legs up. Usually the hind feet are kept away from the body while the forefeet are kept close to the chin. Sometimes the hind feet seem to swell with fluid. Highland streaked tenrecs may get up and scratch themselves, bite dirt from their toenails, or drink and eat while still in torpor. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
Little information is available regarding the home range of highland streaked tenrecs.
Highland streaked tenrecs can communicate by using a group of specialized stridulating quills located on the center of their back. These spines vibrate, creating an ultrasonic sound, which sounds like dry grass being rubbed and crackled to the human ear. The pulsing sounds created by this organ are made up of broad band noise from about 2 to 200 kHz and can be detected by another tenrec more than 10 m away. Intensity and rate of stridulation vary based on social context or state of arousal. Motivation and position can be conveyed through stridulation. Mothers also use these sounds to encourage their dependent young to follow them. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
Highland streaked tenrecs also use a wide variety of vocal noises. During a defense reaction, a vocal buzz is emitted. During courtship, a male approaches the female while emitting a loud hiss, and females unreceptive to the male suitor emit a high-pitched squeak. In lab experiments, highland streaked tenrecs used tongue clicks as a form of echolocation. They also use their sense of smell to locate worms, but it is unknown to what extent upon which this is relied. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
Highland streaked tenrecs actively forage in leaf litter in areas where soil is damp, soft and shaded for earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates. They forage both individually and in groups. Highland streaked tenrecs may stomp with both forepaws on the ground to stimulate earthworm activity. When feeding, they pivot their rumps from side to side to ward off other tenrecs that may try to take the worms from them. Highland streaked tenrecs are very preoccupied when feeding and become much easier for humans to handle. In captivity, an otherwise aggressive tenrec was undisturbed by being handled when eating. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
Known predators of highland streaked tenrecs include fosa, fanaloka and ring-tailed mongoose, as well as large snakes like the Madagascar ground boa. When threatened or disturbed, highland streaked tenrecs emit a vocal buzz and raise the crest of spines on their head and body both laterally and forward. In an effort to embed the detachable barbed quills in a predator's snout, they turn to face the predator or cause of the disturbance, and buck violently, jumping up and down. If a predator touches a tenrec, their bucking becomes more violent. 'Humans Homo sapiens' occasionally hunt highland streaked tenrecs for food. (Garbutt, 2007; Marshall and Eisenberg, 1996)
Little information is available regarding the role of highland streaked tenrecs in their ecosystem. Because of their specialized diet, they may impact populations of earthworms and other soft-bodied invertebrates.
Humans occasionally hunt highland streaked tenrecs for food.
There are no known adverse effects of highland streaked tenrecs on humans.
Highland streaked tenrecs are fairly abundant and are quite tolerant to human disturbance. They are listed as a species of least concern on the IUCN Red List.
Luke McTighe (author), Michigan State University, Pamela Rasmussen (editor), Michigan State University, Tanya Dewey (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Gail McCormick (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.
living in sub-Saharan Africa (south of 30 degrees north) and Madagascar.
uses sound to communicate
young are born in a relatively underdeveloped state; they are unable to feed or care for themselves or locomote independently for a period of time after birth/hatching. In birds, naked and helpless after hatching.
having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria.
an animal that mainly eats meat
uses smells or other chemicals to communicate
The process by which an animal locates itself with respect to other animals and objects by emitting sound waves and sensing the pattern of the reflected sound waves.
animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds.
parental care is carried out by females
A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing.
An animal that eats mainly insects or spiders.
animals that live only on an island or set of islands.
having the capacity to move from one place to another.
the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic.
active during the night
rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal.
breeding is confined to a particular season
reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female
associates with others of its species; forms social groups.
uses touch to communicate
the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south.
uses sound above the range of human hearing for either navigation or communication or both
movements of a hard surface that are produced by animals as signals to others
Garbutt, N. 2007. Mammals of Madagascar: A complete guide. London: Yale University.
Gould, E., J. Eisenberg. 1966. Tenrec Biology. Journal of Mammalogy, 47/4: 660-686. Accessed July 15, 2008 at Http://www.jstor.org/stable/1377896?seq=1.
Jolly, A., P. Oberle, R. Albignac. 1984. Key Environments: Madagascar. Oxford: Pergamon Press.
Marshall, C., J. Eisenberg. 1996. Hemicetetes semispinosus. American Society of Mammalogists, Mammalian Species No. 541: 1. Accessed July 15, 2008 at http://www.science.smith.edu/departments/biology/VHAYSSEN/msi/pdf/i0076-3519-541-01-0001.pdf.
Stephenson, P., P. Racey, F. Rakotondraparany. 1994. Maintenence and reproduction of tenrecs (Tenrecidae) at Parc Tsimbazaza, Madagascar. International Zoo Yearbook, 33: 194-201. Accessed July 15, 2008 at http://tenrec.lima-city.de/pjs94.htm.