[2] Tenrecs are a very diverse group, as a result of adaptive radiation, and exhibit convergent evolution,[3] some resemble hedgehogs, shrews, opossums, rats, and mice.

[14] Continuing work on the molecular[15][16] and morphological[17][18][19][20] diversity of afrotherian mammals has provided ever increasing support for their common ancestry.

[24][25] While the fossil record of tenrecs is scarce, at least some specimens from the early Miocene of Kenya show close affinities to living species from Madagascar,[26] such as Geogale aurita.

Unusual for mammals, the permanent dentition in tenrecs tends not to completely erupt until well after adult body size has been reached.

[27] This is one of several anatomical features shared by elephants, hyraxes, sengis, and golden moles (but apparently not aardvarks), consistent with their descent from a common ancestor.

[citation needed] Tenrecs have a gestation period of 50 to 64 days, and give birth to a number of relatively undeveloped young.

It is increasingly popular in the pet trade, and in the future may serve as an important model organism in biomedicine, as it is only distantly related to the mice, rats, guinea pigs, and rhesus macaques which comprise the most common research animals.

The main threats facing tenrecs include habitat loss due to deforestation, fragmentation and degradation, hunting, incidental capture, and climate change.

Slash-and-burn agriculture, as well as commercial logging and mining of metals is negatively affecting tenrec species that inhabit forests.