| Highland streaked tenrec[1] | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Afrosoricida |
| Suborder: | Tenrecomorpha |
| Family: | Tenrecidae |
| Genus: | Hemicentetes |
| Species: | H. nigriceps
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| Binomial name | |
| Hemicentetes nigriceps Günther, 1875
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| Highland streaked tenrec range | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Hemicentetes semispinosus nigriceps | |
The highland streaked tenrec (Hemicentetes nigriceps) is an insectivore which lives in the central upland regions of Madagascar. Its black and white striped body is covered with quills, which it will raise when agitated. The spines detach and remain in the body of an inquisitive predator. The function of the black-and-white pattern may be to mimic juvenile Tenrec ecaudatus since the parents of this species are known to be aggressively protective, and the stripes may have developed as a type of camouflage while foraging.[3] The highland streaked tenrec uses its long snout to burrow under leaves and bark, searching for earthworms, its primary food.
- ^ Bronner, G.N.; Jenkins, P.D. (2005). "Order Afrosoricida". In Wilson, D.E.; Reeder, D.M (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Johns Hopkins University Press. p. 76. ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Stephenson, P.J.; Soarimalala, V.; Goodman, S. (2016). "Hemicentetes nigriceps". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T62011A97189172. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T62011A97189172.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ Kokx, Katie. "Hemicentetes semispinosus streaked tenrec". Animal Diversity Web. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology. Retrieved 6 March 2020.