Tenrecoidea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tenrecoidea |
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| Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) | |
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| Grant's golden mole (Eremitalpa granti) | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Clade: | Afroinsectivora |
| Order: | Tenrecoidea McDowell, 1958 |
| Suborders | |
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Chrysochloridea |
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The group of animals called Tenrecoidea or Afrosoricida includes some really unique small mammals. These are the golden moles from Southern Africa, the otter shrews from equatorial Africa, and the tenrecs from Madagascar.
For a long time, in the 1800s and 1900s, scientists thought these three groups were part of a larger group called Insectivora. However, we now know that these older groupings weren't quite right.
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What's in a Name?
You might hear two main names for this group: Tenrecoidea or Afrosoricida. The name "Afrosoricida" means "looking like African shrews."
Some scientists prefer "Tenrecoidea" because it was used earlier for this group. But "Afrosoricida" became very common in recent scientific books. Even though the name "Afrosoricida" can be a bit confusing (because it sounds like it includes shrews, which it doesn't), many still use it today.
Amazing Tenrecs and Otter Shrews
Tenrecs and otter shrews are usually small animals. They can be as tiny as 4 centimeters (about 1.5 inches) or as long as 39 centimeters (about 15 inches). They come in many shapes and sizes because they have adapted to live in different ways.
Some tenrecs look a bit like hedgehogs, with spiny coats. Others look like tiny shrews, or even miniature otters! Their fur can be brown, gray, or other colors.
Most of these animals are active at night, which means they are nocturnal. They don't have very good eyesight. Instead, they rely on their super sensitive whiskers. These whiskers can feel even tiny movements in the ground, helping them find their food.
Family Tree: How They're Related
For a long time, tenrecs and golden moles were thought to be related to animals like hedgehogs, shrews, and moles. This group was called Lipotyphla.
However, some scientists always had doubts. For example, back in 1916, a scientist named Robert Broom said that golden moles were not closely related to tenrecs, and that they weren't "insectivores" (the old name for the group).
Today, many genetic studies (which look at an animal's DNA) show that these doubts were right! Tenrecs and golden moles are actually part of a much larger group of African mammals called Afrotheria. This group includes animals like elephants, manatees, and aardvarks!
Tenrecs and golden moles are sometimes placed in a smaller group within Afrotheria called Afroinsectiphilia.
Types of Tenrecoidea
The Tenrecoidea group is split into two main families:
- Tenrecidae (otter shrews and tenrecs)
- Chrysochloridae (golden moles)
Otter Shrews and Tenrecs
The Tenrecidae family includes otter shrews and tenrecs.
- Otter Shrews (Potamogalinae): These are found in mainland Africa.
- Genus Micropotamogale
- Nimba otter shrew (Micropotamogale lamottei)
- Ruwenzori otter shrew (Micropotamogale ruwenzorii)
- Genus Potamogale
- Genus Micropotamogale
- Tenrecs (Tenrecinae): Most tenrecs live on the island of Madagascar.
- Genus Geogale
- Genus Microgale (shrew tenrecs)
- Short-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale brevicaudata)
- Cowan's shrew tenrec (Microgale cowani)
- Lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale longicaudata)
- Pygmy shrew tenrec (Microgale parvula)
- Genus Echinops
- Lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi)
- Genus Hemicentetes
- Highland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes nigriceps)
- Lowland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus)
- Genus Setifer
- Genus Tenrec
Golden Moles
The Chrysochloridae family includes the golden moles, which live in Southern Africa. They are known for their shiny, metallic fur.
- Genus Carpitalpa
- Arends' golden mole (Carpitalpa arendsi)
- Genus Chlorotalpa
- Genus Chrysochloris
- Genus Chrysospalax
- Genus Cryptochloris
- Genus Eremitalpa
- Genus Amblysomus
- Hottentot golden mole (Amblysomus hottentotus)
- Genus Calcochloris
- Genus Neamblysomus
See also
In Spanish: Afrosorícidos para niños
- Pseudoungulata
- List of mammals of Madagascar
- List of afrosoricids
