Hemicentetes semispinosus (Mivart 1871, streaked tenrec, 14cm length, max to17cm) extant tenrec from Madagsacar, except for size and a short tail is virtually identical toMaiacetus. Note the large foramiina for the trigeminal nerve below the orbit of equal size. The lateral temporal arch is largely absent. The premaxilla contacts the frontal.

Not typical of placental mammals, a cloaca remains present, rather than a separate anus and urogenital opening and lack a scrotum. Whales lack a scrotum, but have separate openings. Tenrecs are ominivorous. Most tenrecs are nocturnal and have poor eyesight, but their whiskers are sensitive. Distinct from whales, tenrecs tend to have 20-32 young. Some species are social.

Skeleton image used with permission from Digimorph.org.

Hair is tranformed into black and yellow quills with a wooly undercoat. The skull is elongate and the teeth are small. The tail is reduced to absent. In some specimens the narial opening extends posterodorsally. Able to reduce its metabolic rate and enter topor. Females can breed within 35 days after being born. Inhabits dens and burrows. Diet of earthworms.

Limnogale (29-35cm) is a purported 'tenrec' with a long tail, webbed feet and semiaquatic habit, but it nests within the clade Glires, not with these actual tenrec taxa.