In the wild-
The Lesser Tenrec (scientific name Echinops telfairi) is a small exotic mammal native to Madagascar. It is one of 25 known species of Tenrec and is the most common to be found in captivity. Sometimes referred to as the Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec, the species is in fact not closely related to hedgehogs, with scientists suggesting they are more closely related to elephants.
Excellent climbers, the species is often found in the dry forest regions of the island, however they are also known to inhabit dry savanna areas. Primarily nocturnal, the Lesser Tenrec will spend its nights roaming the forest floor in search of insects: the bulk of the species’ wild diet.
They typically have a life expectancy of 10 years in the wild, yet captive individuals can easily reach 15 with the best care.
What do they look like?
Across Tenrec species, a vast difference in size, colour and shape is seen. Lesser Tenrecs rarely exceed 20cm in length and weigh around 200 grams. They have long, probing snouts and a brown nose surrounded by whiskers used to detect prey. Their sense of smell and touch (along with sound) are the Tenrec’s most vital senses, relying on them to navigate and hunt. They have small eyes with poor eyesight.
These Tenrecs have short spines which cover the entire top and sides of the body, which are usually white in colour with black tips. Their abdomens are soft and pink/cream in colour, made of just bare skin, and feels almost like the fleece of a sheep!
Suitability-
Tenrecs can vary in personality and approachability, but most individuals tolerate handling and the presence of people. This is often the case in individuals who experience regular handling, in particular at an early age. Care should be taken around young children due to their spines and the (albeit low) chance of bites from the animal’s sharp teeth.
Anecdotal evidence from keepers of both Lesser Tenrecs and African Pygmy Hedgehogs suggest that the tenrec is generally better suited to being a pet species, with a more docile and inquisitive, friendly nature.
Housing and the environment-
There are several options for housing Tenrecs, from wooden vivariums to glass tanks: each have their benefits. Some keepers opt for barred cages; whilst these can provide more space and a greater opportunity for climbing, Tenrecs require a heated environment, which is not easily maintained in such an enclosure. For this reason, I would always suggest using one of the following:
Wooden vivariums are readily available and used frequently for housing Tenrecs. Having discussed housing with other keepers, we decided to use this option with our individual. A wooden vivarium has several advantages, from providing a secure environment to reducing heat transfer out of the enclosure. A vivarium of at least 4 feet in length should be used, providing plenty of space for night-time antics and feeding. As Tenrecs are very capable climbers, the height of the enclosure should account for this, and I would never opt for anything below 45cm (around 18 inches) in height.
A glass terrarium, such as the front-opening designs made by Exo Terra, is the other main option for housing a Tenrec. This does somewhat limit the keeper to certain enclosure sizes, but it can be an effortless way to provide much needed height. The Exo Terra 90x45x90cm (LxWxH) is an ideal candidate. Things to bear in mind with glass enclosures is that they are more fragile, are less effective than wooden housing at holding heat, and have high levels of light penetration.
Environmental parameters must also be controlled for Tenrecs as they are an exotic species used to much warmer climates than much of the UK. To provide heat at all times, we use a ceramic heat emitter (CHE) which is thermostatically controlled to provide an ambient day-time temperature of 25 degrees Celsius (78f). This is surrounded by a mesh heat guard to prevent our Tenrec from directly encountering the bulb and potentially causing injury. UVB lighting is an optional addition to the setup, however I would strongly suggest its inclusion in the enclosure. A ShadeDweller UVB kit, produced by Arcadia, is more than adequate. We previously used LED lighting in our enclosure, but have since seen a positive change to health, activity, and behaviour since switching to UVB.
Tenrecs will naturally enter a state known as torpor when temperatures and food availability decrease in winter months. During this much drier time of year, Tenrecs enter this state to help conserve energy. It is similar to hibernation; however, the animal tends to wake more frequently, simply becoming less active and waking occasionally only for essential activities such as feeding and drinking. Breeding individuals should be allowed to enter torpor to trigger breeding in the new year, and this can be encouraged by a gradual lowering of temperature by a few degrees. For more information, check the weather data for the species’ natural range.
There are several options for substrate dependant on the style of enclosure you intend to create. We use a semi-bioactive enclosure, using arid soil mixes and sand to create different areas, and allow our Tenrec to sand-bathe, a vital behaviour for their health. If sand is not supplied in an area of the enclosure, a bowl of sand should be offered. Bark chippings are another good option for Tenrecs as it is cheap, easily obtainable and takes little time and effort to spot clean. I would always recommend using a natural substrate and creating a natural environment as these are exotic animals, not a domesticated pet species.
As mentioned, Tenrecs love to climb, so their environment should allow this. Similarly, we have found that our Tenrec prefers to use elevated cork rounds to rest, rather than a ground-dwelling hide. Using natural branches, grape vine and cork bark are all great ways to add height and complexity to a Tenrec’s housing. Safe, non-toxic plants can also be included to add to the naturalistic appearance and enrichment value of a setup.
You may notice your Tenrecs secrete a puffy white liquid from around their eyes, in particular following a clean or during breeding season. This is not a cause for concern, and is now believed by most to be a method of marking their territory.
Humidity-
Humidity levels should also be maintained through the occasional misting of the enclosure. During hotter periods, misting should be carried out more regularly to simulate the higher levels of rainfall during this point in the year. As the temperatures cool into winter, rainfall naturally slows in Madagascar, so a reduction of misting is required. Across the year, the humidity should fluctuate between 40% and 80%.
Diet and feeding-
Tenrecs are omnivorous; however, they have a strong preference for invertebrates. We provide a varied diet of live foods such as locusts, mealworms, dubia roaches, pachnoda grubs and crickets alongside high-protein kitten biscuits and a small amount of fruit. We have found our Tenrec to be quite fussy, however he does enjoy banana! All live foods are presented either scatter or tong fed, with a weekly dusting of calcium supplements to prevent Metabolic Bone Disease. We always provide a small bowl of cat biscuits; however, this is not something all keepers will do.
We feed daily, although the quantity and frequency does tend to decrease during the winter torpor period. This is not something to get worried about during this time, however, always consult your exotic veterinarian should you have any concerns for your animal’s health.
Sourcing your tenrec-
Since this care guide was first written, the popularity of Lesser Tenrecs seems to have grown here in the UK. They are still not commonplace in the exotic animal world, yet they are becoming more readily available through breeders and specialist exotic pet shops. Tenrecs cost between £150 and £200, however it is important to remember that the costs do not stop there, and setup costs quickly add up.
At the Menagerie-
We have had our male Tenrec, Twiggy, for several years now and he has become a family favourite and is ever popular on social media. He is a confident and inquisitive animal and regularly delights with his nightly antics. Follow us on Instagram @alis_menagerie to see more helpful care tips and to keep updated on Twiggy!
Thank you for reading my Lesser Tenrec care sheet and I hope you found it helpful and informative. Good luck with your new pet!
This care sheet has been written through the combination of my own experiences (I will only write about species I have worked with) and the knowledge, experience, and recommendations of other keepers in the exotic-keeping community.