About Echinops telfairi Martin, 1838
Echinops telfairi, commonly called the lesser hedgehog tenrec, is a small, stout-bodied animal that looks visually similar to a hedgehog, which is how it got its common name. It has a short tail, moderately long limbs and muzzle, and prominent ears. The entire upper back of its body is covered in sharp spines. Its most common body color is yellow buff, though individual tenrecs can range in color from nearly white to almost black. The length of its head and body falls between 5 to 6.8 inches, or 13 to 17 centimeters. It weighs approximately 7 ounces, which is equal to 0.2 kilograms. Like all other tenrec species, the lesser hedgehog tenrec has a cloaca, a shared common opening for the urinary and reproductive systems, which is also seen in birds and reptiles.
