INTRODUCTION

Although the Tenrec has a similar appearance to a hedgehog they are entirely unrelated. They are also slightly smaller weighing around 200g. I was very surprised when I received my pair of Tenrecs to see just how small they are they always seem to look bigger in photographs. Just like a hedgehog they have spines and will raise them if threatened. They are also capable of rolling into a little ball like a hedgehog. Their average lifespan is around 10 years but there are cases of Tenrecs living way past 10 years.

Tenrecs are nocturnal and most active at night. In captivity they also go into a state of semi-hibernation and slow down. There are breeders who manipulate the temperature in the Tenrecs cages so that they don't go into hibernation and will continue to breed. I don't agree with this practice and prefer to keep things as natural as possible.

HOUSING

Something to consider is that Tenrecs love to climb so it is advisable to choose suitable accomadation for them. Some people use snake cages or fish tanks. The problem with fish tanks is the lack of air flow and I find this can become a breeding ground for bacteria. I have perspex cages that are built like fish tanks but the short sides are welded mesh allowing for air flow. However don't forget they can climb up the welded mesh so I used a 15cm perspex border at the bottom first and then the same at the top. This will ensure that they cannot climb up from the bottom because the perspex is slippery.

I lined the bottom of the cage with newspaper first and then added a fairly thick layer of cat sand (not the silicone type). You can use pine shavings but the cat sand is more absorbent. You can also have half cat sand and half shavings. They love to climb so adding some pine branches or mulberry branches is a good idea. I have a plastic igloo for them to sleep in with a soft polar fleece blanket. I gave them a choice of pine shavings, pine needles and hay and they chose the blanket. A snuggle sack or tent is also ideal for them to sleep in. You will however need more than one as they will need to be washed often to keep them clean and free from bacteria. You will also need to put a flat container of good quality sand in the cage for them to roll in. You can use chinchilla dust, washed playpen sand or reptile sand. 

You can also potty train your Tenrec to use a sand box in one corner of the cage. Give your Tenrec a day or two to choose its toilet in a favourite corner, once you've established which corner gather some of the droppings and put them into the sand box and place the sand box in that corner. This will encourage  your Tenrec to use the sand box in its chosen corner.

TOYS

It is always a good idea to stimulate caged animals with safe toys. You can add a small rubber ball for your Tenrec to push around. Some Tenrecs even enjoy a small soft toy to cuddle up to. Some people use empty toilet roll containers but these can be dangerous if your Tenrec get its head stuck in the roll. You can use PVC plumbing pipes for them to climb in and out but make sure you file the edges smooth so your Tenrec doesn't cut itself on rough edges. Whatever toys you choose make sure that they don't have sharp edges that could cause an injury to your Tenrec. 

DIET

Tenrecs are insectivores and need to be fed a diet of insects. In captivity Tenrecs should be fed mealworms, crickets, earthworms and snails. They will need a basic diet of cat food as hegdehog food is not readily available in South Africa. You can feed them small amounts of a very good quality low fat dry cat pellet and then soft cat pellets such as whiskers. I prefer not to give the fish flavours because of the smell. They also like small amounts of hardboiled eggs and you can give them small amounts of yoghurt.You can also feed cooked unseasoned chicken and tuna fish.

They also eat small amounts of fruit such as apple, banana, pawpaw, grapes, pears etc. You can also try some fruit based baby purity. They tend to eat twice a day a good idea would be to feed more protein at night when they are more active. Feeding a completely vegetarian diet is a total no no they need more protein than fruit and vegetables. Don't give them huge helpings of food at one sitting it will only go to waste. Rather serve small fresh helpings of food to ensure your Tenrec stays healthy.Don't feed your tenrec raw meat and you also need to avoid fatty foods it can cause liver damage. The fat content of mealworms is higher than that of crickets so rather feed more crickets than mealworms. 

Remember the basis of their diet should be the protein foods and the fruits etc should be seen more as a treat. You don't want to overfeed your Tenrec and cause health problems.

BREEDING

Breeding season will be just as they are coming out if hibernation. The gestation period is believed to be between 51 to 58 days. The litters vary in size anything from 1-6 babies (pups) is possible. The babies are born blind and naked but the spines appear almost immediately. The pups will be weaned at 3-4 weeks of age but can stay with their mother for another week. They can be sexed at 6 weeks of age and then sold. To sex a Tenrec is not very easy as the male has internal testes. Some breeders rely on the males excreting a milk substance from their eyes when they come into contact with a female. Other breeders rely on the belly button area that seems to bulge a bit if the pup is a  male. Sometimes the easiest way is to place one pup at a time with a male and see what his reaction is. If the adult male excretes a milk substance from his eyes then the pup is female if he displays aggresief behaviour then the pup is a male. Don't leave a poor male pup at the mercy of an older male he will try and attack the pup once you have established the pup is a male remove it immediately.

HEALTH CARE

Tenrecs are pretty hardy little creatures and not prone to diseases. However if fed incorrectly then you will pick up problems if the diet is high in fat they will have liver problems. Their cages need to be clean and only clean good quality shavings used otherwise they can get infested with mites.  If this ever happens you can dust the Tenrec with kitten or bird flea powder avoid the eyes. If you keep their cages clean and use top quality bedding then you will not have a problem with mites. 

FOR SALE

One female pup and one pair of young pups for sale all November babies. Please contact us for details.