Large-eared tenrec

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Large-eared tenrec[1]

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[2]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Afrosoricida
Suborder: Tenrecomorpha
Family: Tenrecidae
Subfamily:
Geogalinae
Genus: Geogale
A. Milne-Edwards & A. Grandidier, 1872
Species:
G. aurita
Binomial name
Geogale aurita
Large-eared tenrec range

The large-eared tenrec (Geogale aurita) is a species of

Least Concern
".

sister clade, the subfamily Oryzorictinae, about 30 million years ago.[3]

Description

The large-eared tenrec is a small shrew-like animal with short, soft fur, a long hairy tail and large projecting ears. Adults weigh between 5 and 8 grams (0.18 and 0.28 oz) and measure 60 to 75 millimetres (2.4 to 3.0 in) in length, with a tail half as long again. The dorsal (upper) surface is greyish brown or reddish brown and the ventral (under) surface is buffish white.

litter while still feeding another.[4]

Behaviour

The large-eared tenrec feeds on insects, particularly termites which it locates by sound. It is itself preyed on by several predators including the barn owl (Tyto alba), the Madagascar owl (Asio madagascariensis), the Malagasy cat-eye snake (Madagascarophis colubrinus) and the narrow-striped mongoose (Mungotictis decemlineata).[4]

The large-eared tenrec has a low

blind, deaf and helpless young and these are weaned when between 21 and 33 days old, soon after their eyes have opened.[4]

Status

The large-eared tenrec is listed by the

Least Concern". The population trend is unknown and although this tenrec has been recorded in various scattered areas of Madagascar, it is a small, inconspicuous animal and is likely to also be present in intervening locations. It had been thought to be restricted to dry deciduous forest but it has now also been found in grassland and is probably more resilient to disturbed habitat than had previously been realised. Some of the areas in which it occurs are in national parks and nature reserves.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^
    OCLC 62265494
    .
  2. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T9048A97188944.en
    . Retrieved 16 November 2021.
  3. PMID 27103169
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e f Nielsen, Thomas (2005). "Geogale aurita". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan. Retrieved 2013-09-28.
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