noun

• A small insectivorous mammal native to Madagascar, different kinds of which resemble hedgehogs, shrews, or small otters.

  Several genera in the family Tenrecidae: many species

  ‘Afrotheria is a newly recognized taxon comprising elephants, hyraxes, sea cows, aardvarks, golden moles, tenrecs, and elephant shrews.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Even comprehensive analyses have not clarified phylogenetic relationships among aardvarks, tenrecs, golden moles, and elephant shrews.’
  • ‘Small, spiny, pointy-nosed creatures known as tenrecs are the equivalents of shrews, moles and hedgehogs.’
  • ‘Among mammals, the carnivores, primates, and tenrecs all have fairly well-established African connections.’
  • ‘The dental formula of tenrecs varies considerably among species, reflecting the diversity of the group.’