23. Lowland Streaked Tenrec

Found in Madagascar, Africa. This small tenrec is the only mammal known to use stridulation for generating sound - something that’s usually associated with snakes and insects.

Fun facts:

• Tenrecs are odd-looking creatures that look like a cross between a shrew and a hedgehog having a bad hair day, don’t you think?
• The lowland streaked tenrec has a long snout and limbs, and a vestigial tail. The hair, or fur, is black with yellow stripes that run down the side of the body, and a yellowish band running from the crown to the tip of the snout.
• It has a messy assemblage of quills which are barbed and detachable.
• The head and body are 4.8 to 6.5 inches (12.2 to16.5 cm) in length. The weight is about 7 ounces (200 grams).
• The streaked tenrec is active during day and night, feeding primarily upon earthworms, but also on insects.