Baby Tenrec's Reaction To His Mom's Perfume Scent Is Melting Hearts

Did you know dogs are the most popular pet in the United States (via PetMD)? Second after canines are cats, then fish, but if you've never heard of, say, tenrecs as popular pets, you're not alone. For many, these little mammals might be some of the most unusual pets you've heard of, but after watching this adorable TikTok video of a tenrec admiring his mom's perfume, don't be surprised if you want to learn more!

@kentuckiana.hedge

Handsome Sweet Tooth loves my perfume. He is anointing or spreading a scent he loves onto himself. #KentuckianaHedgehogs #BrightCrystalVersace #Tenrecs Ignore my neck rolls 🫣

♬ original sound – Crystle Honey & Justice

Sweet Tooth is a tenrec with a pretty big interest in his mom's perfume. He seems so intrigued, in fact, that the little guy literally rubs her scent all over himself with his itty-bitty hooked claws. One curious viewer joked that he must be "harvesting something" from his mom, but what exactly is he up to?

Well, what seems to be Sweet Tooth's personal quirk is actually a common tenrec behavior called scent-anointing. It's basically when tenrecs familiarize themselves with new scents by rubbing them into their spines. They have notably poor eyesight, but a wonderful sense of smell, which helps these little guys understand the world around them.

It's true, Sweet Tooth definitely looks like a hedgehog (especially some of these funny ones), even though he isn't one. In fact, tenrecs are more closely related to elephants than hedgehogs! But why do they look so similar? Well, look no further than a phenomenon called convergent evolution. That's when two different animals from similar environments separately develop similar traits. So what exactly is a tenrec, and are they good pets?

Called lesser hedgehog tenrecs, these mammals are typically found in the grasslands of Madagascar. They can get up to around 7 inches long and weigh less than a pound, with long snouts and, of course, their signature spine-covered back and tail. Like hedgehogs, tenrecs roll into little balls to protect their soft bellies from danger. Also like hedgehogs, tenrecs are actually legal to own in many states.

Tenrecs can be pretty great pets with the right care. They require a pretty warm and humid environment, and a protein-rich diet of mostly insects. Nocturnal, you can expect these critters to sleep during the day and be more active at night. And if you'd like to have more than one, it's recommended to get two females, as males are known to be quite territorial and prone to fights. Who knows, a tenrec could be your soul pet, and all you have to do is adopt one to find out!