often mistaken for hedgehogs! 

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The Lesser Madagascar tenrec is a shrew-like mammal, small with a long whiskered snout. Its back, sides and tail have dark brown to black, sharp, dense, white-tipped spikes. Its underside is paler and does not have spikes. 

 

Nocturnal in the wild, in captivity they are often active day and night alike. Unlike hedgehogs, tenrecs are excellent climbers, and use their long toes to hold onto branches.