Mammals
Common Tenrec
Tenrec ecaudatus · also called tailless tenrec, trandraka
Among the largest litters of any mammal on record, a female common tenrec can give birth to more than two dozen young at once, a reproductive extreme matched by few other animals and found in the largest of Madagascar’s remarkable tenrec species.
Overview
The common tenrec, Tenrec ecaudatus, is a Least Concern mammal widespread across forest and grassland habitat throughout much of Madagascar. Its status as the largest living tenrec, record-setting litter sizes, and seasonal hibernation through the dry season make it one of the most biologically distinctive mammals found on the island.
A litter unlike almost any other mammal’s
While most mammals raise a handful of young at a time, the common tenrec can produce litters of more than two dozen, a reproductive strategy that sets it apart even among Madagascar’s unusually diverse tenrec family.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and common across forest and grassland habitat throughout much of Madagascar.
Common Tenrec: common questions
How many young can a common tenrec have at once?
A remarkable number; females can give birth to more than two dozen young in a single litter, one of the largest litter sizes recorded for any mammal species.
Why is it called the common tenrec?
It is the largest and among the most widespread tenrec species in Madagascar, earning the name "common" relative to the many smaller, more specialised tenrec species found on the island.
Does the common tenrec hibernate?
Yes, it enters a period of torpor during Madagascar's dry season, when food becomes scarce, conserving energy until conditions improve.
Why does the common tenrec have almost no tail?
It has only a very short, stubby tail, a trait that gives the species its alternative common name, the tailless tenrec, distinguishing it from longer-tailed tenrec relatives.