What Do Lesser Tenrecs Eat? Diet & Feeding Guide for Pet Owners -

What Do Lesser Tenrecs Eat? Diet & Feeding Guide for Pet Owners

Lesser Tenrec Feeding Made Simple

The lesser tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is an increasingly popular exotic pet that resembles a small hedgehog but requires specialized care. Native to Madagascar, these insectivorous mammals have unique dietary needs that differ significantly from more common household pets.

This guide will help you understand exactly what lesser tenrecs eat, how much to feed them, and how to maintain their health through proper nutrition.

What Do Lesser Tenrecs Eat in the Wild?

Understanding the natural diet of lesser tenrecs is essential for providing proper care in captivity. In their native Madagascar habitat, lesser tenrecs are primarily insectivores that consume a variety of invertebrates including beetles, crickets, termites, and other small insects. They also occasionally eat small vertebrates, fruits, and plant matter when available.

This omnivorous tendency (with a strong emphasis on insects) should guide your approach to feeding a pet lesser tenrec. Their high protein and moderate fat diet supports their active metabolism and maintains their overall health.

Essential Components of a Pet Lesser Tenrec Diet

Primary Food Sources

Insects

The foundation of your lesser tenrec’s diet should consist of live insects that are gut loaded including:

Crickets: Gut loaded crickets are an excellent staple food. Feed appropriately sized crickets (about the size of the tenrec’s head) 4-6 times per week.
Mealworms: These should be offered in moderation (2-3 times weekly) due to their high fat content.
Dubia roaches: An excellent protein source with better nutritional value than crickets.
Waxworms: Treat only, due to high fat content. Offer once or twice monthly.
Hornworms: Great source of moisture and calcium. Feed 2-3 times per week.
Superworms: Similar to mealworms but larger. Suitable for adult tenrecs.

DID YOU KNOW? You can also feed your pet lesser tenrec freeze dried insects, but live insects are the healthiest and most nutritious option.

High Quality Insectivore Diet

A high quality commercial insectivore diet provides balanced nutrition and should supplement the insect portion of your tenrec’s diet:=

Commercially prepared insectivore pellets
Hedgehog food can also be used (ensure it’s high quality with minimal fillers)

Supplementary Foods

Occasional Proteins

Cooked chicken (unseasoned, small amounts)
Hard boiled eggs (once weekly)
Pinky mice (once monthly for adult tenrecs)

Fruits and Vegetables

Some safe fruits and vegges you can feed include:

Bananas (small pieces)
Berries (blueberries, strawberries)
Cooked sweet potato
Small amounts of melon

Remember to always wash produce thoroughly, and avoid feeding seeds or cores.

Feeding Schedule and Portion Sizes

Daily Feeding Guidelines

Adult Lesser Tenrecs:

Feed once daily, preferably in the evening when they’re most active
6 to 10 appropriately sized insects per feeding
1 to 2 tablespoons of high quality insectivore diet

Juvenile Tenrecs:

Feed twice daily
4 to 6 insects per feeding
Slightly smaller portions of prepared food
Monitor weight gain to ensure healthy growth

Pregnant or Nursing Females:

Increase portions by 25 to 50%
Offer more protein rich foods
Ensure calcium supplementation is adequate

Critical Nutritional Supplements

Calcium and Vitamin D3

Lesser tenrecs require calcium supplementation to prevent metabolic bone disease.

Dust insects with calcium powder (with D3) 3 to 4 times per week.

Multivitamins

Provide a small mammal multivitamin supplement once or twice weekly by dusting insects or mixing into food.

Gut Loading Insects

Always gut load feeder insects 24 to 48 hours before feeding. Use fresh vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens to enhance the nutritional value of insects.

Remember to consult with your exotic animal veterinarian to determine your lesser tenrec’s specific nutrition and supplementation needs.

Foods to Avoid

Certain foods can be harmful or even fatal to lesser tenrecs:

Dairy Products: Tenrecs are lactose intolerant
Avocado: Contains persin, which is toxic
Chocolate: Highly toxic to most animals
Onions and Garlic: Can cause digestive issues
Raw Meat: Risk of bacterial contamination
Processed Human Foods: Too much salt, sugar, and additives
Wild Caught Insects: May contain pesticides or parasites
Raisins and Grapes: Potentially toxic

Water Requirements

Fresh clean water must be available at all times. Use a shallow and heavy water dish that cannot be easily tipped over.
Change the water daily and clean the dish regularly to prevent bacterial growth.
Some tenrecs may prefer a water bottle, but always ensure they know how to use it properly.

Signs of Proper Nutrition

A well-fed lesser tenrec will exhibit:

Consistent healthy weight (not obese or underweight)
Active behavior during evening hours
Shiny, healthy looking spines and fur
Regular, well-formed droppings
Bright alert eyes
Good muscle tone

Common Dietary Problems

Obesity

Overfeeding (particularly with high fat insects like mealworms and waxworms) can lead to obesity. Monitor your tenrec’s weight regularly and adjust portions accordingly. An obese tenrec will have difficulty moving and may develop fat deposits around the legs.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Inadequate calcium or vitamin supplementation can result in metabolic bone disease, characterized by weak bones, tremors, and difficulty walking. Always provide proper supplementation and a healthy varied diet.

Dehydration

If your tenrec isn’t drinking enough water, you may notice lethargy, sunken eyes, or dry skin. Ensure water is always available and consider offering moisture rich foods like hornworms.

Seasonal Considerations

Lesser tenrecs may go through periods of torpor (light hibernation) during cooler months, during which their appetite decreases significantly. This is normal behavior if environmental conditions are appropriate.

Continue offering food but don’t be alarmed if consumption drops. However, it’s important to maintain proper temperature ranges (75°F to 85°F) to prevent true hibernation, which can be dangerous in captivity.

Transitioning to a New Diet

If you’re adopting a lesser tenrec or changing their diet:

Week 1: Mix 25% new food with 75% old food
Week 2: Increase to 50% new food
Week 3: Mix 75% new food with 25% old food
Week 4: Complete transition to new diet

Don’t forget to monitor for digestive upset and adjust the transition speed if necessary.

Creating a Feeding Routine

Consistency is key for tenrec health:

Feed at the same time each evening
Maintain a food diary tracking what and how much you feed
Weigh your tenrec monthly to track weight trends
Remove uneaten food within 2 to 3 hours to prevent spoilage
Keep feeder insects in a separate and well-maintained habitat until you are ready to feed your pet

Cost Considerations

Budgeting for a lesser tenrec’s diet includes:

Feeder Insects: $20 to $40 monthly (depending on source)
Commercial Insectivore Diet: $10 to $30 monthly
Supplements: $15 to $25 every 2 to 3 months
Gut Loading Supplies: $10 to $20 monthly

PRO TIP: Consider breeding your own insects like dubia roaches or crickets to reduce long-term costs.

Where to Source Food

Insects:

Local reptile stores
Online insect suppliers (bulk orders)
Breed your own colony

Prepared Foods:

Pet supply stores
Online exotic pet retailers
Veterinary clinics

Supplements:

Reptile or exotic pet specialty stores
Online retailers
Exotic veterinarians

Consulting with an Exotic Animal Veterinarian

Regular check-ups with a veterinarian experienced in exotic mammals are important. They can:

Assess your tenrec’s body condition
Recommend dietary adjustments based on health status
Identify nutritional deficiencies early
Provide specific guidance for your individual pet

Schedule annual wellness exams at minimum, or more frequently for young, elderly, or breeding tenrecs.

Feed Your Lesser Tenrec the Right Way

Feeding a pet lesser tenrec isn’t overly complicated, but it does requires commitment, knowledge, and attention to detail.

Remember that each tenrec is an individual with unique preferences, so observe your pet closely and adjust their diet as needed while maintaining proper nutritional balance.

The key to success is variety, appropriate supplementation, and consistency. With proper nutrition, your lesser tenrec can live a healthy life of 10 to 15 years in captivity, providing you with years of enjoyment from this fascinating Madagascar native.

Pet Lesser Tenrec FAQ

How much should I feed my lesser tenrec daily?

Adult tenrecs should receive 6 to 10 insects plus 1 to 2 tablespoons of high quality insectivore diet per day.

How often do lesser tenrecs need calcium supplementation?

Dust insects with calcium powder (with D3) 3 to 4 times per week to prevent metabolic bone disease.

What insects are best for lesser tenrecs?

Gut loaded crickets, dubia roaches, and hornworms are excellent staples. Vary the diet with mealworms, superworms, and occasional waxworms.

Can lesser tenrecs eat fruit?

Yes, but fruit should comprise no more than 10% of their diet. You can offer small amounts of banana, berries, melon or other safe fruits occasionally.