Mammals
Greater Hedgehog Tenrec
Setifer setosus · also called lesser hedgehog-like tenrec
Curling into a tight, spine-covered ball at the first sign of danger, a greater hedgehog tenrec looks for all the world like a true hedgehog, despite having evolved that exact defence completely independently on the island of Madagascar.
Overview
The greater hedgehog tenrec, Setifer setosus, is a Least Concern mammal widespread across forest habitat throughout much of Madagascar. Its spiny, hedgehog-like body, defensive rolling behaviour, and status as a textbook example of convergent evolution make it one of the more immediately recognizable members of Madagascar’s unique tenrec family.
Two unrelated animals, one solution
Separated by millions of years of evolution and an ocean of distance from true hedgehogs, the greater hedgehog tenrec nonetheless arrived at nearly the same solution to the same problem, a covering of sharp spines and the ability to roll into a defensive ball.
Status
Least Concern, remaining widespread and common across forest habitat throughout much of Madagascar.
Greater Hedgehog Tenrec: common questions
Is the greater hedgehog tenrec related to true hedgehogs?
No, despite its strikingly similar spiny appearance, it is not closely related to true hedgehogs; the resemblance is an example of convergent evolution, where two unrelated animals independently evolve similar features to solve the same problem.
How does the greater hedgehog tenrec defend itself?
It curls into a tight ball when threatened, covering its vulnerable body parts and presenting only its sharp spines to a potential predator, the same basic defence used by true hedgehogs.
What does the greater hedgehog tenrec eat?
It is an insectivore, foraging mainly at night on the forest floor for insects, earthworms, and other small invertebrates.
Where is the greater hedgehog tenrec found?
It is widespread in forest habitat across large parts of Madagascar.