How Do You Spell TANREC?

Pronunciation: [tˈanɹɛk] (IPA)

The word "Tanrec" is spelled with seven letters and pronounced as /ˈtæn.rɛk/. The IPA phonetic transcription reveals that the "t" is pronounced with aspiration and the "a" is pronounced as a short vowel. The "n" sound is followed by a flap "r" sound, similar to the "tt" sound in "butter". The final "e" is silent, and the "c" is pronounced as a hard "k" sound. While the spelling of this word may seem unusual, the IPA transcription helps to clarify its pronunciation.

TANREC Meaning and Definition

1. A tanrec refers to any of several small insectivorous mammals belonging to the family Tenrecidae, primarily found in Madagascar. It is also spelled "tenrec" occasionally. Tanrecs are characterized by their spiny fur, pointed snout, and highly diverse adaptations. With a body length ranging from 4 to 40 centimeters, the size of a tanrec varies depending on the species.

   Typically, tanrecs have a nocturnal lifestyle, venturing out under the cover of darkness in search of insects, worms, small vertebrates, and plant matter as part of their diet. They possess sharp claws and long, flexible snouts ideal for probing in soil or leaf litter to locate prey.

   Primarily residing in forested areas, these remarkable creatures exhibit a wide range of ecological niche partitioning, with each species adapting to a distinct habitat and adopting different feeding habits. Some tanrecs are semi-aquatic, living in marshy environments, while others thrive in arid regions or rocky terrain.

   In terms of reproduction, tanrecs are known for their ability to breed quickly and produce multiple litters throughout the year. They have been described as sexually dimorphic but display wide variation in behaviors and reproductive strategy.

   While some species of tanrec are still relatively abundant, habitat destruction, hunting, and introduced predators have led to population declines in certain regions. Despite such threats, tanrecs, with their unique and diverse adaptations, hold great ecological importance by playing a crucial role in insect control and seed dispersal in their respective ecosystems.

Common Misspellings for TANREC

• taneec
• tan5ec
• tan4ec
• Tan2ec
• Tanzec
• Tansec

Etymology of TANREC

The word "tanrec" is derived from the Malagasy language, which is spoken on the island of Madagascar. Tanrec is the English adaptation of the Malagasy word "tandrékà", which refers to a small mammal native to Madagascar known for its spiky coat.

It's worth noting that the word "tanrec" is also commonly used in scientific literature to refer to the family of small insectivorous mammals found in Madagascar and parts of Africa. This family is scientifically known as Tenrecidae.

Plural form of TANREC is TANRECS