Description. If it weren't for the quills and barely visible tail, one might mistake tenrecs for a rat at a distance. Weebly.footer.setupContainer('cdn2.editmysite.com', '1607117169'); But, Murphy et al. The life span of a pet tenrec is around 13 years, but there are always exceptions to the rule. However, like hedgehogs, tenrecs have spines covering much of their bodies. The most commonly kept as pets are the Lessers. When it comes to longevity of hedgehogs vs tenrecs, we believe tenrecs rank right up there. During the abnormally hot summer weather, they enter a state of inactivity resembling hibernation. Much of this is related to how much they were handled by the breeder and continued to be held by the new owner. However, females can usually be cohabitated without any problems, either with a male or another female. Tenrecs, on the other hand, are much more genteel about their anointing. They do not require focused, high-intensity attention, and instead do very well simply being with a person in whatever context best fits that individual's lifestyle and routine. (2007) showed that their genomes are very different from each other, suggesting the two species have been separated for more than 100 million years. All-in-all, there were around 350 species classified into 60 genera. It has a white belly, 4 toes on its back feet, and comes in a wide range of colours. They can actually rise in a stupor-like state before returning to sleep. Of the many species of tenrecs, there are two that superficially resemble hedgehogs: the Greater Hedgehog Tenrec and the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec. So apparently hedgehogs and tenrecs can both be picky eaters. The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a small, stout-bodied animal similar to the hedgehog, hence the name. Once they are sexually mature, male hedgehogs can breed indefinitely. if (document.readystate === 'complete') { Because they have spines (quills) like hedgehogs, the name lesser hedgehog tenrec was coined. Many people confuse lesser tenrecs with the hedgehog species found in pet stores, but these are not the same animals; hedgehogs are members of a different order, Erinaceomorpha. In addition, you should not inbreed by mating a male to a female who is closely related (like a mother or sister). These factors shape the personalities of tenrecs as well. Based on their physical features, hedgehogs and tenrecs were once thought to be closely related species. Clearly they are similar in many ways, but also different. We focus specifically on African Pygmy Hedgehogs. And there have been other cases where hedgehogs interact very well with practically everyone they encounter. As a word of caution, some tenrecs will use their sand bath area as a litter area, so regular changing of sand may be necessary. Surprisingly, they are smaller than pet hedgehogs. Moreover, when outside temperatures plummet, they undergo true hibernation, becoming stiff and cold to the touch. This can be supplemented with small amounts of fruit, cooked eggs or meat, or baby food. However, the difference is in the details. However, if not having to worry about tight temperature or lighting controls appeals to you, the tenrec may be your dream pet. While we know that there are some that will disagree, it's true. There are several species of tenrec with the most common being the lesser, common, and greater. Hibernation (also called torpor) is a normal part of a tenrec's yearly cycle. Their tails are short, their limbs and muzzles … It is strange that members of the family Erinaceidae, which composes the hedgehog family, are specifically exempted from the restricted list.It seems rather silly because tenrecs, a species that are not related to hedgehogs but are very similar … I fell in love with them instantly. The Tenrecinae are spiny tenrecs. Hedgehogs obtain their poop boots mainly from running on their wheels at night. For the rest of this article, we will be comparing hedgehogs versus lesser hedgehog tenrecs and will simply call them tenrecs. Early on, we found that in the hedgehog community there were those that had difficulty processing the passing of their hedgie. Many people are. Hedgehogs. - … } Cage requirements for a hedgehog are discussed in the article, “What Kind Of Cage Does A Hedgehog Need?” Within the cage, measures must be taken to prevent climbing for their safety. From the top they look tear-drop shaped and can curl into a full ball without issues. A normal healthy weight varies between 0.5-1.5 pounds (250-680 grams). While there isn't any hedgehog health census tracking every disease of every pet hedgehog, these are some of the most prevalent diseases we see in our spiny friends, in no particular order. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to guide others. With hedgehogs, a horizontal cage is the optimal housing situation due to their poor eyesight and inability to hang on when they climb. Greater hedgehog tenrecs may seem similar to hedgehogs (Erinaceidae), but they are tenrecs , which are distantly related. There are two opposing camps: one that is pro-sand baths for hedgehogs and those that are anti-sand baths for hedgehogs. This is how it defends itself against anything it perceives as a threat and will retain that posture for as long as they feel threatened. url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff") format("woff"); Perhaps the best-known examples are tenrecs - Madagascan insectivores related to hedgehogs. While the tenrec mimics hedgehogs, it is in fact not related to hedgehogs at all. Tenrecs are widely diverse; as a result of convergent evolution some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats and/or mice.They occupy aquatic, arboreal, terrestrial and fossorial environments. However, the difference is in the details. If you'd like to learn more about hedgehog hibernation signs and symptoms, you can explore that here. Pet hedgehogs have skinny legs like a tenrec. And they do that naturally without any training. So we won't rehash that here. url("//cdn2.editmysite.com/fonts/SQ_Market/sqmarket-medium.woff2") format("woff2"), They are not particularly delicate - they can be manhandled, turned on their back, pet and stroked, and generally messed with in various ways. The snout on a hedgehog is typically shorter and wider in comparison to a tenrec. We're sorry that this post wasn't useful for you! Rather, we want to provide information to anyone that is on the fence about hedgehogs versus tenrecs as a pet. The lesser hedgehog tenrec does indeed look like a hedgehog, so much so that people used to think that the tenrec was a close cousin of the hedgehog. Unfortunately these animals are not legal to keep in all states and cities. Scientists now think that the lesser hedgehog tenrec is really the cousin of elephants, aardvarks, and manatees and is not closely related to hedgehogs at all. Most pet tenrecs have been well socialized, so this may not be a concern. With a tenrec, a cage that has a vertical orientation is the better choice. In addition to the two species of hedgehog tenrec Setifer setosus and Echinops telfairi, are the two species of streaked tenrec Hemicentetes semispinosus and H. nigriceps. On the other hand, tenrecs need to have an insectivore diet as their primary source of nutrition. Male and female genitalia are external to the body and very distinguishable. And to supplement their diet, various vegetables and proteins can be offered. Tenrecs are perfectly capable of using sand to exfoliate dead skin cells and regularly clean themselves. Just as birds, bats, and certain insects all evolved the ability to fly without being at all related to each other, different species of are similar in appearance to shrews, opossums, mice, otters, and hedgehogs as a result of filling a similar niche in their environment. Lesser Madagascar tenrecs weigh 4 to 7 ounces (113 to 255 grams) and grow to between 5.5 and 7 inches (14 to 18 centimeters) in length. Because of this consistency in toileting habits, they don't get the infamous “poop boots” that hedgehogs are known for. The organ systems most commonly involved are the integumentary, hemolymphatic, digestive, endocrine and reproductive systems. They are a prime example of convergent evolution, which is the independent development of similar characteristics between completely unrelated lineages.