Tenrec

Weakness and dehydration during torpor

SignsRapid weight loss during torpor, skin does not spring back when pinched, sunken eyes

PreventionEnsure adequate body weight before torpor. Weigh weekly during torpor and keep water available

Obesity and fatty liver

SignsBody so round the legs are hidden, sluggish movement, poor appetite, yellowish mucous membranes

PreventionLimit high-fat insects such as mealworms. Provide exercise on a wheel

Oral tumors and periodontal disease

SignsBad breath, drooling, abnormal eating, swelling on one side of the face, bleeding

PreventionCheck inside the mouth monthly. Do not feed only soft food; include insect exoskeletons

Dermatitis and mite infestation

SignsSpines falling out, dandruff or scabs on the skin, itching

PreventionKeep bedding clean and humidity correct. Have a vet check the skin at purchase

Enteritis and diarrhea

SignsSoft stool, green stool, bloody stool, soiled anus, sudden weight loss

PreventionDo not feed wild-caught insects. Remove leftovers the next morning and wash the food dish daily

Uterine disease (females)

SignsBleeding from the vulva, swollen abdomen, poor appetite

PreventionEarly detection saves lives. See a vet the same day for abnormal bleeding. If not breeding, consult your vet

Entangled legs or toes

PreventionLoose cloth threads and coarse-mesh wheels trap toes. Use fleece or paper bedding and a solid-surface wheel

First aidCut tangled threads to free them. If the toe is swollen or purple, see a vet the same day

Falls

PreventionStrong climbers; they fall from the top of the cage. Keep the cage low and lay a mat

First aidCheck movement and breathing, place in a small box and keep warm. If dragging a leg, see a vet the same day

Burns (heater)

PreventionMount heaters outside the cage or use a cover. Never place them where the animal can touch them directly

First aidCool the area with a wet towel. If the skin is dark red or blistered, see a vet

Broken spines and skin lacerations

PreventionDo not grip tightly. Inspect the cage for protrusions and cracked plastic

First aidApply pressure with gauze for bleeding. If the skin is torn, cover with clean gauze and see a vet the same day

Salmonellosis

RouteContact with feces, food dish or cage

PreventionWash hands after care. Children must always wash hands after touching

Dermatophytosis (ringworm)

RouteDirect contact with spines or skin

PreventionIf there is dandruff or hair loss, handle with gloves and see a vet

Mite infestation

RouteMites on the body transfer to human skin

PreventionVet check at purchase. Change bedding regularly

Bite wound infection

RouteBite wounds and scratches

PreventionWash wounds under running water; if swollen, see a doctor

Food

• Insectivore diet or high-quality cat food as the staple
• A few crickets or mealworms per day (watch the fat)
• Boiled egg or boiled chicken a few times a week; fruit only in tiny amounts

Water

• Fresh water at all times in a shallow, heavy dish
• Keep water available during torpor too, changed daily

Toys & play

• Solid-surface wheel (20 cm diameter or more, no gaps)
• Paper tunnels; foraging in leaf litter
• Foraging puzzles with hidden food

Nest, bed & hideout

• Dark nest box stuffed with fleece
• During torpor, a quiet spot with little temperature change

Bedding & litter

• Paper bedding or fleece (lint-free fabric)
• Hard to litter-train. Change bedding 1-2 times a week
• Avoid softwood shavings (skin irritation)

Cage / housing material

Acrylic or glass tub-style enclosure. They climb wire mesh and fall

Size & space

Floor area 60 x 45 cm or more per animal

Layout

• Place nest box, wheel and feeding area apart
• No climbable protrusions; height about 30 cm
• Thermometer and hygrometer inside and outside

Placement notes

• Dark, quiet spot by day. Keep away from the TV and from dogs and cats
• Heater mounted outside, warming only part of the cage

Exercise, free-roam & walks

• 30 minutes to 1 hour of supervised exercise in a playpen at night
• Clear gaps, cords and small objects
• During torpor, do not force wakefulness or exercise

Temperature & humidity

TemperatureActive season 24-28°C. Torpor season around 20°C

Humidity50-70%. Dry air roughens the skin

Summer & winter

• Summer: air-conditioning to keep below 30°C. Dark during the day
• Winter: decide with your vet whether to allow torpor or keep the animal awake with a heater

Nail trimming

1-2 times a month, white part only. Ask your vet for animals that curl up

Brushing, skin & coat care

Spines need no brushing. Just rinse dirty paw pads with lukewarm water

Other care

Check teeth and mouth monthly. Catch periodontal disease before torpor

Protection from predators

• Do not keep in the same room as dogs, cats or ferrets
• Do not take onto the balcony (crows, cats)
• Risk of being stepped on when on the floor. Use a playpen

Foreign-body ingestion

Puts small objects in its mouth. Keep cloth threads and pebbles out of the cage. If appetite drops or no stool is passed, see a vet the same day

Being stepped on

Curled up on a dark floor, it goes unnoticed. Keep free-roaming inside a playpen. If stepped on, check breathing and movement and see a vet

Getting pinched

Toes get caught in cage lids and doors. Check its position before closing. If pinched, cool the area and see a vet

Falls

Falls from the rim of acrylic cages. Keep the height low and lay a mat. If wobbly after a fall, see a vet

Escape

Climbs out through gaps in the lid. Secure the lid firmly. If it escapes, search dark, narrow spaces and wait with the nest box and food set out

Safe release procedure

1. Stay still and quiet, waiting for the grip to loosen
2. Cover the body with a towel to darken
3. Slip a thin flat piece into the corner of the mouth and open it slightly
4. Once released, return it to the nest box and leave it until calm

After the release

Wash the wound under running water and apply pressure to stop bleeding. If swollen or hot, see a doctor

What to tell the vet & what to bring

Weight history, diet, temperature management and torpor status, photos of stool. Confirm an exotic-animal hospital in advance

Checking consciousness, breathing & heartbeat

• During torpor, body temperature dropping close to room temperature is normal
• Check breathing by chest movement (30-50 per minute when active)
• Feel the heartbeat with a finger on the chest (extremely slow during torpor)

Stopping bleeding

• Press with clean gauze for 3-5 minutes
• For bleeding at the base of spines, keep pressing and secure with a bandage
• If it will not stop, keep pressing and transport

Transport

• Line a small carrier with fleece and darken it
• Add a hot-water bottle wrapped in cloth and carry quietly