Extraordinary creatures: Tenrec ecaudatus (the common tenrec)

Abstract

Tenrec ecaudatus (the common tenrec) is a small mammal (250 g–2 kg) that is native to Madagascar and has been introduced to other islands in the Indian Ocean. Tenrecs dine on insects, small reptiles, amphibians and mammals in the wild, but also consume fruit and vegetation and are thought to hibernate for up to 8 months. However, unlike other hibernators, which periodically arouse from torpor during hibernation, tenrecs do not and are notoriously difficult to keep in captivity. Frank van Breukelen, custodian of the only known colony of captive tenrecs, tells Journal of Experimental Biology about these extraordinary creatures and the challenges that he has faced learning about their unconventional physiology and how to care for them.