Mole-like rice tenrec


The mole-like rice tenrec, also known as the fossorial tenrec or hova rice tenrec, is a species of mammal in the tenrec family. Like all other tenrecs, it is endemic to Madagascar. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, swamps, freshwater lakes, irrigated land, and seasonally flooded agricultural land. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Biology

Oryzorictes hova eats insects like worms, and they spend some of their time above ground but mostly stay underground. They can also be found in rice fields. Not much is known about their mating or reproduction, but the most offspring they have is 4.
Due to allopatric speciation, the rice tenrec has been separated into 3 distinct populations across Madagascar. Each of these populations could be considered their own distinct species, but additional data is required for a formal description of the species.