December 18, 2007
Giant rat discovered
A giant rodent five times the size of a common rat has been discovered in the mountainous jungles of New Guinea.The giant rat apparently has no fear of humans, and walked right into the explorers' camp. From the BBC.The 1.4kg Mallomys giant rat is one of two species of mammal thought to be new to science documented on an expedition to an area described as a "lost world".
Conservationists also found a pygmy possum - one of the world's smallest marsupials - on the trip to the remote north of Papua province, Indonesia.
Posted by David on December 18, 2007 3:32 PM
That's right up there with the new species of spitting cobra - better off undiscovered!
Posted by: Michael Tinkler on December 18, 2007 7:38 PM
So the R.O.U.S. really exists!
Posted by: texoscot on December 18, 2007 8:24 PM
Taking the term "rat" a bit broadly, the capybara of South America can be interpreted to be the ultimate giant rat. This rodent, found in swampy areas can be more than 4 feet in length and almost 2 feet tall and weith up to 140 pounds. Now, that is a lot of rodent! An extinct species was even larger and approached grizzly bear size!
Posted by: Donald Wolberg on December 19, 2007 12:18 AM
cronaca.com