Large-eared tenrec

The Erdtenrek ( Geogale aurita ), also called Zwergtenrek, a mammal of the family is tenrecs ( Tenrecidae ). It is usually performed in a separate subfamily ( Geogalinae ), but sometimes also assigned to the Reistenreks.

The Erdtenrek is a small, bodenbewohnendes animal from Madagascar. He is only 5-8 grams in weight and reaches a body length 6-7 centimeters ( which must be added a 3 inch long tail comes ), making it one of the smallest Tenreks at all. Its most striking features are the large, mouse -like ears, his coat is yellowish- brown in color and all four limbs carry five toes. With 34 teeth, the Erdtenrek less than the other members of his group. Numerous features like a sewer and lying in the abdominal testes they have in common with other tenrecs.

Erdtenreks regarded as one of the warmest Tenrekarten change, the body temperature is similar in all seasons of outdoor temperature only during the gestation and lactation it is slightly increased in females. This is associated with a low metabolic rate. Especially in winter, they fall into a daily hibernation ( torpor ).

Erdtenreks are mainly found in dry, warmer regions of Madagascar. They are nocturnal and live mainly solitary. With the help of your good sense of smell and hearing ( sense of sight is poorly developed ) feel it on their food. Take invertebrates, primarily insects such as termites themselves.

The gestation period of Erdtenreks is 54 to 69 days the length depends due to the low metabolism depending on the outdoor temperature. The litter size is one to five, newborns are blind and helpless. At the age of three to five weeks they open their eyes soon after they are weaned. Life expectancy in the wild is not known in human care an animal has been two and a half years old.

Erdtenreks are not an endangered species, they have been observed in different regions of Madagascar and are considered common.