It belongs to the family Tenrecidae in the order Afrosoricida, and more specifically to the subfamily of the spiny tenrecs Tenrecinae.

[4] It has an evolutionary adaptation for its semifossorial[clarification needed] habits with a well developed lateral and long heads of M. triceps brachii and enlarged M. teres major that function as an extensor of the elbow joint and as an adductor of the upper arm for digging.

[3] The middle of the skull of this species is long and low, the alveolar processes of the maxilla, premaxilla and mandible are reduced and the palate narrow.

[5] In addition, the lowland streaked tenrec has been found to have thermolability, which depends on factors such as habitat and temperature.

[6] These tenrecs are threatened primarily by the loss of their natural habitat due to continuous deforestation, as it is with many other animals in the Madagascar region.

It may be seen stamping its feet on the ground with its fore-paws, an adaptation which is believed to increase earthworm activity for easier foraging.

[9] Breeding takes place during October to December and possibly at other times, depending upon local food supply and temperature.

[citation needed] The streaked tenrec lives in long, shallow burrows which are usually occupied by family groups.

H. semispinosus has hard keratinous quills located in the mid-dorsal region that act as a sounding device and are thought to be used for communication between mother and young and/or a warning signal to predators.

[4][3] H. semispinosus has a highly developed sense of smell and this response along with foot stamping is also produced when the odor of a predator is detected.

[4] It uses its quills to communicate in two different ways, by raising them in agitation or by rubbing them together in a method known as stridulation – best known as the type of noise produced by crickets and cicadas.

[3] The skull has an elongated rostrum with a slender jaw with small spaced dentition placed more forward in the mouth.

[4] The sagittal crest and nuchal are less prominent in this species and the zygomatic processes are long and slender resulting in less projection from the sides of the skull.