- There are two species in the genus Hemicentetes, both are found only on Madagascar
- Lowland streaked tenrecs are found in tropical rainforest habitats. They can be found on land, splashing in shallow waters or digging underground.
- The lowland streaked tenrec can grow to an average length of 140 mm, however, adults have been recorded to grow up to a maximum of 172 mm.
- They have black and yellow quills covering their bodies and have four primary longitudinal yellow stripes. Both species have barbed detachable quills to use as a defence mechanism
- Streaked tenrecs prefer to eat earthworms, they may also eat insects and fruit
- Most tenrecs possess a long snout for poking around in the ground to find their food
- The streaked tenrec lives in long, shallow burrows which are usually occupied by family groups
- The streaked tenrec is the only mammal known to use stridulation for generating sound, a method more commonly associated with insects and snakes
- Lowland streaked tenrecs can live 30 months in captivity. How long either species lives in the wild is unknown
