Estivation is similar to torpor, but the high ambient temperature keeps the animal warm and much of its time is spent simply sleeping. Breeding season occurs when the tenrecs come out of the cool season torpor. Courtship, initiated by the male, may go on for hours. She indicates her receptiveness by standing still. The female creates a burrow, with a grass-lined nest.
Gestation is long, about two months, because of the low body temperature.
Since body temperature fluctuates with ambient temperature, activity and rest periods, there is considerable variation in gestation period. The fetus cannot develop at a constant rate if the maternal temperature is not constant. Interestingly enough, torpor in bats is much more regulated and does not cause such fluctuation in gestation. Spines appear in about 5 days, eyes open at about 10 days. They are foraging with the mother at 3 weeks and are independent in 3 months.