The streaking tenrec is an unusual tiny animal with a zebra, hedgehog, and porcupine hybrid appearance. This one even has a mohawk!

Behold that magnificent “hairstyle!” Photographer: Alan Harper

Known for its odd look, peculiar behaviors, and adaptations, the lowland streaking tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus) is found exclusively in Madagascar.

This cute tiny creature uses the numerous spikes covering its body to ward off predators. Its typical size is 140 mm, or 5.5 in. The streaked tenrec looks like a small zebra thanks to its striking black spiky pelage that is striped with yellow or chestnut-brown stripes that span the length of the body. Seeing a striped tenrec frolicking around with its endearing stripes makes everyone smile.

An ant snooping around. Most likely a worm. All rights reserved by Charles Hesse.

Next, we’ll take a lооk at the streaked tenrec’s mоst intriguing habits. Their capacity tо echоlоcate is quite remarkable and sets these animals apart. Streaked tenrecs, like bats, utilize echоlоcatiоn tо hunt fооd and navigate their surrоundings. Fоr hunting, they use their beaks tо make clicking nоises, which they subsequently explоit by listening fоr the echоes.

They may possibly have an echolocatory function, as their unique spikes make stridulation sounds. It’s as if they own an inherent sonar system of their own!

Hallo, el tentrec arriba! All rights reserved by Frank Vassen.

Using her beak as a spade, a pregnant female would dig a depression in the ground within the burrow before giving birth. Displaying its quills, the Streaked tenrec wards off any would-be predators. In the event that it must engage in combat with another species, it will use a powerful headbutt to paralyze its enemy.

The lowland streaking tenrec is a nocturnal predator that feeds mostly on earthworms but will also eat other types of invertebrates. On occasion, it will stamp its forepaws on the ground to help with foraging, as this is thought to stimulate earthworm activity. In the same way as other tenrecs, it can dig holes to find food. But because dirt can cause scratches and pits, the streaking tenrec’s teeth could corrode if it eats too many earthworms.