Lowland streaked tenrec

The lowland streaked tenrec is found in the northern and eastern regions of Madagascar. Its habitat includes primary and secondary tropical forests, shrubland, and agricultural land. It lives at low elevations, up to above sea level. ==Description==

Physical appearance The average body size for H. semispinosus is a length of , but adults have been recorded to grow up to a maximum of . Body weight of this species can range from . This species has a black, spiny pelage with yellow or chestnut-brown stripes that run the length of the body. In addition, the lowland streaked tenrec has been found to have thermolability, which depends on factors such as habitat and temperature. ==Behavior==

The lowland streaked tenrec flaunts its quills to scare away any possible predators. When forced to engage another species, it uses a rough headbutt in an attempt to immobilize its target. Diet The lowland streaked tenrec is active both during the day and at night. Its diet is made up primarily of earthworms, but it sometimes preys on other invertebrates, as well. It may be seen stamping its feet on the ground with its fore paws, an adaptation which is believed to increase earthworm activity for easier foraging. Most tenrecs possess a long snout for poking around in the ground to find their food. They are also capable of eating fruit. While the streaked tenrec does eat earthworms, the soil may damage its teeth with scratches and pits. Reproduction Breeding takes place during October to December and possibly at other times, depending upon local food supply and temperature. The gestation period lasts 58 days, and the female gives birth to usually between five and eight young. The young are weaned at 18 to 25 days. These tenrecs on average attain the ability to conceive at about 35 days. Movement of these quills causes the tips to rub together and create a high-frequency sound. This display additionally occurs when males fight for females, and when unfamiliar males come across one another. Female encounters, though, have tactile contact and then increase the distance between each other. Due to its rarity, the information regarding the functional-morphological mechanism of the streaked tenrec's sound production is incomplete. The sounding quills are different from the spines and hair, and are found in the mid-dorsal region of the streaked tenrec. The arrangement and length are similar throughout the streaked tenrec's lifespan, making up three rows in its midline area and adjacent areas bilaterally. ==Physiology==

The streaked tenrec has an ability to enter torpor seasonally, but it is dependent on altitude, age, fat stores, and temperature. Torpor for this species generally occurs during June and July and during winter. However, H. semispinosus is a facultative hibernator and comes out of torpor during winter and forage. When foraging, the soil and leaf litter are prodded with the tip of the nose until prey is detected. Elongated hands and digit adaptation (digits 2, 3, and 4) are the tenrec's main digging apparatus, allowing it to unearth and pull its prey from the earth. The skull has an elongated rostrum with a slender jaw with small, spaced dentition placed more forward in the mouth. This species has zalambdodont molars with a dental formula of I 3/3, C 1/1, P 3/3, M 3/3, with a total of 40 teeth. The sagittal and nuchal crests are less prominent in this species and the zygomatic processes are long and slender, resulting in less projection from the sides of the skull. The occipital region in this species, along with the visceral skeleton, is commonly very conservative. ==References==