Order Afrosoricida Higher classification Microgale | Phylum Chordata Scientific name Microgale longicaudata Rank Species | |
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Similar Pygmy shrew tenrec, Microgale, Least shrew tenrec, Dryad shrew tenrec, Taiva shrew tenrec | ||
The lesser long-tailed shrew tenrec (Microgale longicaudata) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae. It is active at all hours of the day and night, but each individual maintains its own pattern of rest and activity.
Contents
Range and Habitat
It is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Description
As its name implies, it occupies the ecological niche filled by shrews in other parts of the world. The coat is short, but dense, and quite lacking in the spines so common in this family. The long tail is prehensile. Its body is 5–15 cm long, with the tail being 7.5–17 cm long.
Diet
Although it climbs well, it usually mostly forages on the forest floor for grubs, worms and small insects.
Reproduction
Little is known, but they are believed to produce litters of 2-4 young. They do not appear to hibernate at all.