Mammals

Highland Streaked Tenrec - Hemicentetes semispinosus nigriceps
Tenrecs are small mammals and many have greatly reduced tails and bodies covered with bristly hair or quills. Around 30 species of tenrecs can be found on Madagascar. The Highland Streaked Tenrec is endemic to the island and lives in the central upland regions. The head and body length is 16 to 19cm with a vestigial tail. It has a spiny black back with white stripes. This night active specie lives in groups of one or two adults and several young ones. With its relatively long and slender snout it is searching for earthworms under leaves or in the roots of grass. When disturbed it will raise the quills on the back of its head and sometimes chatter or squeak.