The lesser hedgehog tenrec (Echinops telfairi) is a species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae.

Their tails are short, their limbs and muzzles are of moderate length, and their ears are prominent.

In hot weather, it sleeps with its body extended, but otherwise lies in a curled position to rest.

[3] Breeding is known to occur in October but may depend on warm weather first arousing the animals from winter torpor and on an available food supply.

The lesser hedgehog tenrec is a host of the Acanthocephalan intestinal parasite Promoniliformis ovocristatus.