THE COMMON TENREC 



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THE COMMON TENREC 



This animal, which is the one represented in the illustration on this page, is 

 readily recognized by its comparatively large size, and the total absence of a tail. 

 It is the sole representative of its genus, and from the feature last mentioned, is 

 technically known by the name of Centetes ecaudatus. Adult males attain a length 

 of upwards of sixteen inches, and are thus the largest of all Insectivores. The 

 body is covered with a mixture of flexible spines, bristles, and hairs ; but whereas 

 in the young the former are arranged in longitudinal lines down the back, in the 



THE TENREC. 



(One-third natural size.) 



fully adult state they are restricted to a kind of collar round the upper side of the 

 neck. The spines, bristles, and hair are yellowish or whitish towards the tips, and 

 brown near the middle, so that the general color of the head and body is a kind 

 of yellowish brown. When fully adult, the tenrec has 40 teeth, of which on each 

 side | are incisors, \ canines, and f cheek-teeth. The tusks, or canines, of the 

 males are very long and sharp, and would be capable of inflicting a severe wound. 

 The most remarkable peculiarity connected with the dentition relates, however, to 

 the upper cheek-teeth, and has only quite recently been discovered by Mr. O. 

 Thomas. Thus in a middle-aged tenrec it will be found that there are six cheek- 

 teeth behind the canine on each side of both jaws ; three of these belonging to the 

 premolars, or those preceded by milk-teeth, and three to the molar series, which 



