Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Afrosoricida
- Family
- Tenrecidae
- Genus
- Oryzorictes
Habitat
This species primarily inhabits forests, grasslands, and wetlands in eastern and central Madagascar. It prefers areas with moist, loose soil for burrowing, ranging from sea level up to about 2,000 meters elevation.
Diet
The Mole-like rice tenrec feeds mainly on earthworms, insects, and other invertebrates like beetles and larvae. It forages nocturnally by digging in soil or leaf litter, using its sensitive snout to detect prey. Feeding occurs primarily at night to avoid predators.
Behavior
The Mole-like rice tenrec is solitary and nocturnal, spending most of its time burrowing underground to search for food and avoid threats. It exhibits territorial behavior, marking burrows with scent glands, and is agile in both digging and swimming if needed. They are generally quiet and elusive, rarely interacting with others except during mating.
Conservation Status
The IUCN status is Least Concern, with a stable population trend. Major threats include habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural expansion in Madagascar.