More than 250,000 words that arent in our free dictionary. 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. See all formats and editions hide other formats and. 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. 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. They are similar in appearance to the hedgehog, with some differences including a short spinecovered tail. 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. And a tenrec would be earlier i alluded to the fact that i wrote a childrens book titled a tenrec named trey. Zoos and aquariums that housed lesser hedgehog tenrecs in 2011 were invited to.
Hogheaven hedgehogs breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog. A meat or chicken dry cat food that is high in protein is a decent alternative. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is mostly a solitary animal except during breeding or when rearing offspring. There are exceptions to this, but generally theres no confusing a hedgehog snoot with a tenrec snoot. The tenrec featured here is instantly recognisable by a crest of hair on its head, remarkably similar to a mohican haircut, and the story tells of his determination for building structures out of twigs. Whats the difference between a lesser tenrec and a hedgehog. Before buying a tenrec or hedgehog make sure you know a few important things about them. Tenrecs essex pygmy hedgehogsessex pygmy hedgehogs. Lesser madagascar tenrec theyre hedgehog lookalikes, but make no mistakes, this lesser madagascar tenrec is different in many ways. 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. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small species of insectivore which is native to madagascar. Another thing is that both hedgehogs and tenrecs are insect and plant eating.
Pet hedgehogs and tenrecs imported into the united states u. 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. And other odd lettered animals that like to play but forgot to mention one very important thing. Pinepaper pellets or other safe particulate options. Pet travel bringing hedgehogs or tenrecs into the us. How to take care of a hedgehog a complete guide diet. Madagascar tenrec facts and information seaworld parks. Some of these species, including the greater hedgehog tenrec. May 30, 2019 if you are looking for a fun and unusual pet to raise and nurture, consider getting a hedgehog if theyre legal in your state. 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. Some folks also feed crickets, cockroaches and hissing roaches.
The tenrec featured here is instantly recognisable by a crest of hair on its head, remarkably similar to a mohican haircut, and the story tells. Of the many species of tenrecs, there are two that superficially resemble hedgehogs. A tenrec is any species of mammal within the afrotherian family tenrecidae endemic to madagascar. If youve decided a hedgie would be a good pet for you, or are on the lookout for new supplies for your hedgehog, you can support us by ordering specialized pet hedgehog diets and products from our company, hedgehog precision. Dont let their funny little shuffle fool you, though these. 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.
Lesser madagascar tenrecs weigh 4 to 7 ounces 1 to 255 grams and grow to between 5. Participants were allowed to skip a question if it did not pertain to their tenrecs. The hedgehog or tenrec has not been commingled with any other hedgehog or tenrec that originated in, or has ever been in, a region. Nocturnal in the wild, in captivity they are often active day and night alike. The hedgehog tenrec, setifer setosus, resembles a true hedgehog. Looking at the tenrec, you can see that the quills are similar, as are the pointy little face. No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. A complete guide to raising pet hedgehogs pethelpful.
This list is not for hedgehogs that list can be found here. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1. The most common tenrec in the pettrade is the lesser hedgehog tenrec which would naturally live in madagascar in forests, savanna, shrubland or grassland. They occupy aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial environments. Good results have been achieved feeding a various mix of dry cat foods, mealworms, wax worms and scrambled eggs. You must there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one thats only in the merriamwebster unabridged dictionary start your free trial today and get unlimited access to americas largest dictionary, with. It appears to favor the eastern forests and lower elevations, but may be found in moist and dry zones. Unlike hedgehogs, tenrecs can be housed together although only one male per enclosure as boys will fight. Proper tenrec housing tenrecs love climbing, so that should be reflected in their caging. The coloration of the common tenrec varies geographically from greybrown to redbrown. We have a new interest here at essex pygmy hedgehogs the madagascan lesser tenrec nicknamed the hedgehog tenrec. Regular handling is the key to bonding, and you will want to hold your hedgehog for a minimum of 30 minutes a day.
Dry hedgehog or cat food there is commercial hedgehog food, but it is not always available at some pet stores. Caring for tenrecs and learning what is a tenrec kenny. Pelage is not dense and is a combination of hairs and blunt spines. The greater hedgehog tenrec setifer setosus, also known as the large madagascar hedgehog or sokina, is a species of mammal in the family tenrecidae. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forest, subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, dry savanna, moist savanna, subtropical or tropical dry shrubland. We welcome any and all questions about hedgehogs, and one of us it around pretty much at. The largest species is the tailless tenrec, tenrec ecaudatus, which weighs up to 1 kg. The lesser hedgehog tenrec inhabits dry areas such as deserts, dry forests and dry coastal regions. A hedgehog can be a wonderful addition for someone who wants a unique and entertaining pet. Tenrec article about tenrec by the free dictionary.
Dry food should be the primary portion of your pets diet. Lesser madagascar tenrecs are covered with spines, which range in color from white to black. Tenrec ecaudatus is one of the largest living insectivores. Tenrec care information to learn more about tenrecs, we have answered the frequently asked questions on this page. Acknowledgments this comprehensive publication has been written and compiled for the british. Moist food moist food should also be fed to your pet. 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. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1 by sarah yee 4. Hedgehog tenrec definition of hedgehog tenrec by merriam. Enclosure must be flatbottomed with enough floor space for the necessary items approx. After a few years pat purchased three greater hedgehog tenrecs and then lesser. It is as large as a rabbit, and is less spinescent than the other species.
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. Tenrecs breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog home page. The setifer setosus have face more like a shrew and the way they waddle makes me think a little of how a platypus moves. To learn more about caring for tenrecs i asked a wny native who has raised and bred tenrecs for longer than a decade.
Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. 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. Lesser madagascar hedgehog tenrec smithsonians national zoo. Fine hairs cover their paws and bellies, and their tails are barely visible. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1 kindle edition by sarah yee author format. The hedgehog or tenrec originated in a region that has been recognized as free of footandmouth disease by the usda. The shorthaired rice tenrecs, genus oryzorictes, are molelike animals whose tunneling causes much damage in rice fields. Lesser tenrecs have poor eyesight, but their whiskers are very sensitive and their senses of smell and hearing are well developed. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stoutbodied animal similar to the hedgehog, hence the name.
Is a new face book group intended for tenrec enthusiasts, owners and breeders. Tenrecs in madagascar iucn afrotheria specialist group. Their tails are short, their limbs and muzzles are of moderate length, and their ears are prominent. Is a lesser hedgehog tenrec the right exotic mammal for you. The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a. Lesser hedgehog tenrec care sheet by stuart short the lesser hedgehog tenrec is the most common tenrec species kept in captivity and their popularity. To make it confusing though the tenrecs that are kept as pets have been named the lesser or greater hedgehog tenrecs, using the word hedgehog to describe their spiny hairs.
The inclusion of hedgehog in their names can be misleading it is because of that resemblance, not because they are related to hedgehogs. Nov 15, 2019 the length of a hedgehogs life depends on several factors. The tailless tenrec is the largest of all the subfamilyspecies, being approximately 2740 cm long and weighing 23 kg. So i was delighted when keri agreed to tell us a little bit more about wilson and also share more adorable pictures of him. Although they resemble animals such as shrews and hedgehogs, tenrecs are not closely related to any of these groups. Other species include the the common tenrec tenrec ecaudatus, the pygmy or lesser hedgehog tenrec echinops telfairi and the banded tenrec. Nutritional requirements for a captive lesser hedgehog tenrec is fairly simple.
Have you wondered what a lesser tenrec is and how you take care of. Usda aphis pet travel bringing hedgehogs or tenrecs into. Here are a few that i believe are very important to know if youre looking to buy a hedgehog or tenrec. The madagascar tenrec is found throughout the island in all habitat types, with the exception of wetlands and marshes. The complete guide to hedgehogs and hedgehog care for new owners hedgehog books hedgehog guide pet hedgehogs book 1 ebook. Tenrec ecaudatus tailless tenrec animal diversity web. There are about 25 species of tenrec, ranging in size from a tiny shrewlike animal to ones about the size of a hedgehog. We have modified furniture to become vivariums for our tenrecs, which. However, tenrecs and hedgehogs are completely unrelated.
Tenrecbabies breeder of quality hedgehogs, hedgehog. Caring for tenrecs and learning what is a tenrec kenny coogan. At full grown stage, they should weigh no more than 200g. Unlike their cousin hedgehogs, tenrecs are excellent climbers, and use their long toes to hold onto branches. The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a childrens picture book amazing creature series volume 41 turner, tanya on. The lifespan of a tenrec is longer than that of the hedgehog and is 710 years on average. Wilson is more than likely a male, but only time will tell.
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. A tenrecs diet is quite different to that of the hedgehog. Overview where i live lesser hedgehog tenrecs live in dry forested areas of southern and southwestern madagascar. Tenrec definition is any of numerous small often spiny mammalian insectivores family tenrecidae chiefly of madagascar. Care and management when you bring your new hedgehog home, place them in their new cage and let them have absolute privacy for several hours or until the evening. 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. Wilson is a lesser tenrec and he is native to madagascar. Physical characteristics typically ranging between 56.
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. There are around 30 different species of tenrecs, the lesser tenrec being one of the smallest. Chinchilla cage setup chinchillas, ferrets care, cute ferrets, cage. The largest species of spiny tenrec is the tailless tenrec, tenrec ecaudatus, which weighs up to 1 kg. When you book your new baby with me a full care sheet with all the relevant. With very limited information on tenrecs, the more we share the more we learn. Caring for mice is simple due to their few demands. Hedgehog tenrec definition is a tenrec setifer setosus. Veterinary care of the hedgehog by ian robinson and andrew routh of the rspca, published in in practice march 1999 is very informative, copies available from bhps on request.
The hedgehog or tenrec has never been in a region where footandmouth disease exists. The body is covered with hair and blunt spines, which are not capable of protecting him against enemies. Should barge enough for a tenrec to fully enter and turn around in, and easily cleaned plastic, ceramic, etc. 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. The length of a hedgehogs life depends on several factors. 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. The lowland streaked tenrec do your kids know this a childrens picture book amazing creature series volume 41. All the items your need to care for a pet hedgehog. There are 34 known species of tenrec, of which, two resemble hedgehogs in. The snout on a hedgehog is typically shorter and wider in comparison to a tenrec. Lesser madagascar tenrecs, also called lesser hedgehog tenrecs, are small, nocturnal animals covered in spines. A survey on husbandry, morbidity, and mortality of lesser hedgehog tenrecs.
Though sometimes confused with hedgehogs, lesser tenrecs are actually members of a different order. I breed madagascan tenrecs and african pygmy hedgehogs in the gauteng area. Tenrec are insectivores, meaning cousins to the african pygmy hedgehogs that hedgehog valley has become famous for. The maryland zoo features lesser hedgehog tenrecs among its animal ambassadors, which are introduced to audiences in education programs on and off grounds. 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. Feb 07, 2020 pet hedgehogs and tenrecs import guidance. He is just so cute and the most unusual pet i think we have in the group. Although they resemble animals such as shrews and hedgehogs. 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. See more ideas about cage, critter nation cage and hedgehog. Lesser hedgehog tenrecs echinops telfairi are small insectivores from the family tenrecidae and are native to madagascar.