greater hedgehog tenrec

The greater hedgehog tenrec (Setifer setosus) is a mammal belonging to the family Tenrecidae, which includes various shrew-like and hedgehog-like species. Most tenrecs are native to Madagascar and nearby islands, though some otter shrews are found on the African mainland.1

The hedgehog-like tenrecs, including the greater hedgehog tenrec, have bulky bodies and short or absent tails. They possess specialized spines that can be scraped together to produce sounds for communication. These tenrecs can also curl into a protective ball when threatened. The greater hedgehog tenrec is distinct from the true hedgehog (subfamily Erinaceinae), which are also Old World insectivores covered in spines.12