There are some 345 species of insectivores, with 11 genera and 34 species in the family Tenrecidae. The diverse family is divided into 3 subfamilies, with 6 species in 5 genera as Tenrecinae. No insectivore is larger than a rabbit, and one, the pygmy shrew, vies for smallest mammal on earth.
Tenrecs can look like shrews, otters, moles and, well, tenrecs.
The lesser tenrec looks like a miniature hedgehog , as its name describes. The broad, cone-shaped, spine covered tail is very short. Hairs between the spines are white also. The spines are banded grey, black and white. The ears and feet are sparsely haired and are pink, the eyes are black.