And other odd lettered animals that like to play but forgot to mention one very important thing. The length of a hedgehogs life depends on several factors. So i was delighted when keri agreed to tell us a little bit more about wilson and also share more adorable pictures of him. The longtailed tenrec, microgale longicaudata, is mouselike in size and appearance, with a tail two and a half times its body length, and it is able to jump. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is mostly a solitary animal except during breeding or when rearing offspring. Madagascan lesser hedgehog tenrec bella an adult female although african pygmy hedgehogs have become fairly well known as exotic pets, the lesser hedgehog tenrecs are extremely rare in the pet trade with only a handful of breeders in the us. The maryland zoo features lesser hedgehog tenrecs among its animal ambassadors, which are introduced to audiences in education programs on and off grounds. Caring for tenrecs and learning what is a tenrec kenny. Lesser madagascar tenrecs weigh 4 to 7 ounces 1 to 255 grams and grow to between 5. Treatment of these problems is complicated in tenrecs because of their small.
Although a lot of people wouldnt even consider hedgehogs as a viable option for a pet, just like hamsters, ferrets, and other small mammals, raising these cute little animals can be both fun and a rewarding experience. The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a childrens picture book amazing creature series volume 41 turner, tanya on. While there are a handful of tenrec species commonly kept as pets in the uk and europe, the only species that is currently available in the us is the lesser hedgehog tenrec. Before buying a tenrec or hedgehog make sure you know a few important things about them. Is a new face book group intended for tenrec enthusiasts, owners and breeders. If placed in the cage, it should be shallow enough to enter, or have an entry hole.
The lesser hedgehog tenrec echinops telfairi is a species of mammal in the family tenrecidae. Tenrecidae common name tenrecs is a family of mammals found on madagascar and parts of africa. We welcome any and all questions about hedgehogs, and one of us it around pretty much at. When you book your new baby with me a full care sheet with all the relevant information to keep your. Lesser hedgehog tenrec care sheet by stuart short the lesser hedgehog tenrec is the most common tenrec species kept in captivity and their popularity. Since there are no native species of hedgehog in either canada or the united states, many people still mistake the domestic hedgehog for the porcupine an entirely different and unrelated animal. There are about 30 different types of tenrecs that all look a little bit different, but they most closely resemble hedgehogs, and many of the. Snuggle sacks snuggle sacks are a great way to bond with your hedgehog on the go easy to slip into a purse or hoody pocket, as well as a cozy way for your hedgehog to feel secure in their cage.
Jun 8, 20 the tenrecidae common name tenrecs are a family of 34 species of mammals found on madagascar and in parts of the african mainland. I stumbledupon it i will come back yet again since i have bookmarked it. The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a childrens picture book amazing creature series volume 41. Enclosure must be flatbottomed with enough floor space for the necessary items approx. There are several species of tenrec with the most common being the lesser, common, and greater. He is just so cute and the most unusual pet i think we have in the group. Caring for mice is simple due to their few demands. If you know of a hedgehog in need of help, please feel free to email us. Tenrecs are shy, insecteating creatures from madagascar. Informational websites hedgehog central madagascan tenrecs please note the pictures on the site are of the greater tenrecs. Although many tips are correct in this book there are quite a few that my veterinarian, who has had hedgehogs for pets, contradicts. A tenrecs diet is quite different to that of the hedgehog. Similar to the length of adult tenrecs, adult hedgehogs can vary between 5 to 8 inches 12.
Hand warmers hand warmers are a great fallback in case of an emergency, and in case you need to travel in cold weather. And yet, the tenrec and hedgehog have independently evolved very similar features, likely because of similar environmental pressures. Tenrec article about tenrec by the free dictionary. The lifespan of a tenrec is longer than that of the hedgehog and is 710 years on average. The lesser hedgehog tenrec weighs up to 250 grams and has a body up to 18 cm long. Fine hairs cover their paws and bellies, and their tails are barely visible. The shorthaired rice tenrecs, genus oryzorictes, are molelike animals whose tunneling causes much damage in rice fields. A survey on husbandry, morbidity, and mortality of lesser hedgehog tenrecs. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small species of insectivore which is native to madagascar. Nocturnal in the wild, in captivity they are often active day and night alike.
Lets compare notes on diet, housing, breeding and all things pertaining to tenrecs. Tenrecs are small mammals that are native to madagascar and other portions of africa. Hermione the lesser madagascan hedgehog tenrec home facebook. We have a new interest here at essex pygmy hedgehogs the madagascan lesser tenrec nicknamed the hedgehog tenrec. Madagascan tenrecs, otherwise known as the lesser hedgehog tenrec make the most amazing pets for younger children and are a pure joy to watch as they explore their environment and rub their little bodies full of sand. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1 by sarah yee 4. Tenrecbabies breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog home. Lesser madagascar hedgehog tenrec smithsonians national zoo. Here are a few that i believe are very important to know if youre looking to buy a hedgehog or tenrec. She is a mobian tenrec from an alternate reality, who wound up in two hundred years into the future after her home was ravaged by the second devourer. The most common tenrec in the pettrade is the lesser hedgehog tenrec which would naturally live in madagascar in forests, savanna, shrubland or grassland. Unlike their cousin hedgehogs, tenrecs are excellent climbers, and use their long toes to hold onto branches. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is the most common tenrec species kept in captivity and their popularity has increased year on year.
And a tenrec would be earlier i alluded to the fact that i wrote a childrens book titled a tenrec named trey. All the items your need to care for a pet hedgehog. At the present time, there are but a few handful of tenrecs in the private hands of exotic animal breeders here in north america, mainly of the species setifer setosus, the greater hedgehog tenrec. Do not let them come in direct contact to your hedgehog, however. There are around 30 different species of tenrecs, the lesser tenrec being one of the smallest. There are about 25 species of tenrec, ranging in size from a tiny shrewlike animal to ones about the size of a hedgehog. Unlike hedgehogs, tenrecs can be housed together although only one male per enclosure as boys will fight. The hedgehog and tenrec diverged from one another over 100 million years ago. Hermione the lesser madagascan hedgehog tenrec home. Wilson is more than likely a male, but only time will tell. Pet travel bringing hedgehogs or tenrecs into the us. Because they walk through their bodily waste, they need daily foot baths and usually 12 full baths per month. The requirements generally include a veterinary services vs import permit, an original health certificate issued or endorsed by a veterinary officer of the government in the foreign country your pet hedgehog or tenrec is traveling from, and an. While you cant do a lot about genetics, you can help keep your pet hedgehog safe by feeding them a balanced diet high in protein, familiarizing yourself with common ailments, accessing veterinary care, and.
At the end of the book is a page of animal facts which tells children more about the strange creatures they have met in the story. Hogheaven hedgehogs breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog. Sturdy and washable container large enough for a tenrec to comfortably turn around in. If you have any questions or would like to meet the tenrecs dont hesitate to ask. After a few years pat purchased three greater hedgehog tenrecs and then lesser. With very limited information on tenrecs, the more we share the more we learn. Caring for tenrecs and learning what is a tenrec kenny coogan. Wilson, the lesser tenrec, is a member of our love your pets facebook group and i have been fascinated by him since keri started posting pictures of him. Overview where i live lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in dry forested areas of southern and southwestern madagascar.
These animals are found on the island of madagascar. The lesser and greater hedgehog tenrecs echinops telfairi and setifer setosus, respectively have densely spined upperparts and can curl into a protective ball. Guinea pig hutch, guinea pig house, pet guinea pigs, guinea pig care, diy. Tenrecs in madagascar iucn afrotheria specialist group. Im a lesser madagascan hedgehog tenrec, and despite my appearance, im not related to hedgehogs. Lesser madagascar tenrecs, also called lesser hedgehog tenrecs, are small, nocturnal animals covered in spines. Tenrecs essex pygmy hedgehogsessex pygmy hedgehogs. You can purchase them here, be sure to email and ask for the 10% discount code if youre purchasing a baby from us. Tenrecbabies breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog. It is as large as a rabbit, and is less spinescent than the other species.
The hedgehog welfare society if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it must be a duck, right. We have a new interest here at essex pygmy hedgehogs the madagascan lesser tenrec nicknamed the hedgehog tenrec lesser tenrecs are a species of mammal in the family tenrecidae. The tenrecidae have undergone adaptive radiation to produce forms resembling shrews, moles, and hedgehogs, and potamogale otter shrew is. If you feel like being generous, feel free to check out the donate page to see how you can support me in continuing to provide the community with resources like this, or see below about supporting us through supply orders. Many people mistake them for hedgehogs, they are however not related to hedgehogs at all and are in fact a member of the family afrotheria which includes amongst many others elephants, golden moles and dugongs. It is the only species in the genus echinops and is named in honour of charles telfair. Lesser hedgehog tenrec just learned about tenrecs today. They are similar in appearance to the hedgehog, with some differences including a short spinecovered tail. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stoutbodied animal similar to the hedgehog, hence the name. Cage please see our care page for specifics wheel at least 10. The hedgehog tenrec, setifer setosus, resembles a true hedgehog. A hedgehog can be a wonderful addition for someone who wants a unique and entertaining pet. Tenrec care information to learn more about tenrecs, we have answered the frequently asked questions on this page. When it comes to bathing hedgehogs, water is the preferred method.
Though sometimes confused with hedgehogs, lesser tenrecs are actually members of a different order. Feb 07, 2020 pet hedgehogs and tenrecs import guidance. Have you wondered what a lesser tenrec is and how you take care of. We arent here to judge or ask questions we just want to provide a safe place for hedgehogs in need. Read, enjoy, and share this site with other owners. Here are a few links for further tenrec information and research. At full grown stage, they should weigh no more than 200g.
There are 34 known species of tenrec, of which, two resemble hedgehogs in their appearance the greater hedgehog tenrec and the lesser hedgehog tenrec. A hedgehog is fun to watch, quiet, not aggressive, and is fairly easy to care for. Other spiny tenrecs are the two species of hedgehog tenrec setifer setosus and echinops telfairi and the two species of streaked tenrec hemicentetes semispinosus and h. Pet hedgehogs and tenrecs imported into the united states u. Other species include the the common tenrec tenrec ecaudatus, the pygmy or lesser hedgehog tenrec echinops telfairi and the banded tenrec. Lesser hedgehog tenrecs echinops telfairi are small insectivores from the family tenrecidae and are native to madagascar. African hedgehogs and both the greater and lesser tenrecs of madagascar setifer setosus and echinops telfairi, respectively are quite similar in appearance. Water baths for hedgehogs vs sand baths for tenrecs.
To put that in perspective the lineages leading to human and mouse also diverged roughly 100 million years ago maybe closer to 90ish. In the madagascan hedgehog tenrec, echinops telfairi, the entire paleocortical. The tailless tenrec is the largest of all the subfamilyspecies, being approximately 2740 cm long and weighing 23 kg. However, sand baths for hedgehogs is a topic that is hotly debated in the hedgehog groups. The hedgehog that is now kept as a pet in north america is the fourtoed hedgehog atelerix albiventris from central africa. It is increasingly popular in the pet trade, and in the future may serve as an important model organism in biomedicine, as it is only distantly related to the mice, rats, guinea pigs, and. Since there are no native species of hedgehog in either canada or the united states, many people still mistake the domestic hedgehog for the porcupine. Usda aphis pet travel bringing hedgehogs or tenrecs into. This list is not for hedgehogs that list can be found here. Know your hedgehog care and treatment of sick and injured hedgehogs published by the british hedgehog preservation society, hedgehog house, dhustone, ludlow, shropshire sy8 3pl uk part of the series. One of the most important things that pet shops or general sellers neglect to inform the new owners of is the fact that these amazing pets are nocturnal. Lesser tenrecs have poor eyesight, but their whiskers are very sensitive and their senses of smell and hearing are well developed.
However, tenrecs and hedgehogs are completely unrelated. Bath wash only use extra gentle washes avoid products with the word. The lesser hedgehog tenrec echinops telfairi is one of 16 mammalian species that will have its genome sequenced as part of the mammalian genome project. Their tails are short, their limbs and muzzles are of moderate length, and their ears are prominent. The species is relatively new in this country, and was not imported in great numbers like african pygmy hedgehogs, so the us population remains very small. They occupy aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial environments. Below is a basic list of essential supplies for properly housing and caring for a tenrec, and should be acquired before bringing your tenrec home.
Wilson is a lesser tenrec and he is native to madagascar. Other articles where lesser hedgehog tenrec is discussed. A complete guide to raising pet hedgehogs pethelpful. Our tenrecs enjoy being carried around in a cuddle sack or bonding bag, and will often fall asleep while we are watching tv, sewing, or reading a book.
Is a lesser hedgehog tenrec the right exotic mammal for you. Hedgehog tenrec definition is a tenrec setifer setosus. Hedgehog tenrec definition of hedgehog tenrec by merriam. Diy hedgehog toys, hedgehog supplies, hedgehog care, hedgehog house. If it is an emergency, please say so in the email and include your phone number so we can call you right away.
The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a. Just click on the question you are interested in learning the answer to and you will be taken to the appropriate section of this page. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide. I breed madagascan tenrecs and african pygmy hedgehogs in the gauteng area. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1. Lesser madagascar tenrecs are covered with spines, which range in color from white to black.
The greater hedgehog tenrec setifer setosus, also known as the large madagascar hedgehog or sokina, is a species of mammal in the family tenrecidae. Although they resemble animals such as shrews and hedgehogs, tenrecs are not closely related to any of these groups. Whats the difference between a lesser tenrec and a hedgehog. The largest species is the tailless tenrec, tenrec ecaudatus, which weighs up to 1 kg. How to take care of a hedgehog a complete guide diet.
The body is covered with hair and blunt spines, which are not capable of protecting him against enemies. Although they resemble animals such as shrews and hedgehogs. If you are looking for a fun and unusual pet to raise and nurture, consider getting a hedgehog if theyre legal in your state. I have been breeding for four years now and i thoroughly enjoy my little friends before buying a hedgehog or tenrec please make sure to do your research so that you understand all the needs that the new addition to your family has. The lesser hedgehog tenrec inhabits dry areas such as deserts, dry forests and dry coastal regions. I was born in berkshire, and spent the first six weeks of my life living with my five sisters. Toothbrush soft toothbrushes can be used as bath scrubbies for your hedgehog. We were raised by my human mummy because my real mummy didnt survive giving birth to us.
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