Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Afrosoricida
- Family
- Tenrecidae
- Genus
- Setifer
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits forests, shrublands, and grasslands in Madagascar, often in areas with dense undergrowth for shelter. It prefers moist environments but can adapt to drier regions up to 2,000 meters elevation. They are commonly found in both primary and secondary forests.
Diet
The Greater hedgehog tenrec is omnivorous, consuming insects like beetles and crickets, earthworms, fruits, and occasionally small vertebrates or eggs. It forages at night using its acute sense of smell to locate food on the ground. Feeding activity peaks shortly after dusk and continues into the early morning.
Behavior
Greater hedgehog tenrecs are solitary and nocturnal, emerging at night to forage and avoiding interactions with others except during mating. They are territorial, marking areas with scent glands, and may enter torpor during dry seasons to conserve energy. In captivity, they exhibit curiosity and can be handled with care due to their spines.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend despite habitat loss. Major threats include deforestation for agriculture and potential competition from introduced species.