New giant rat species discovered

[Amerigo Vespucci]

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Scientists have discovered a new species of giant rat in a remote rainforest in Papua New Guinea.

Measuring 82 centimeters (32.2 inches) from nose to tail and weighing around 1.5 kilograms (3.3 pounds), the species is thought to be one of the largest rats ever to be found.

The discovery was made by a team from the BBC Natural History Unit inside the crater of Mount Bosavi -- an extinct volcano in the Southern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea.

"This is one of the world's largest rats. It's a true rat, the same kind you find in the city sewers," said Kristofer Helgen, a biologist from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, who was part of the expedition team.

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/09/07/giant.rat.papua/index.html

[DeepBlueC]

1. oh... I thought it was going to be a Blue Dog Democrat

This IS the Lounge!

[La Lioness Priyanka]

5. ROFL!

thanks for that

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Love the description by one of the scientists:

"...this giant bloody rat -- the size of a cat." :rofl:

[Amerigo Vespucci]

9. Obviously that scientist is a Thin White Duke fan

"Future Legend"

Fleas the size of rats sucked on rats the size of cats
And ten thousand peoploids split into small tribes
Coverting the highest of the sterile skyscrapers
Like packs of dogs assaulting the glass fronts of Love-Me Avenue
Ripping and rewrapping mink and shiny silver fox, now legwarmers

:rofl:

[HopeHoops]

3. You mean the entire cast of the FOX Opinion Channel?

Well, there are weasels, snakes, and sharks also.

[RidinMyDonkey]

4. I think it's kinda cute

Sorry, is that weird?

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

7. I do, too.

:loveya: giant rat :loveya:

[Arugula Latte]

11. I do too!

:)

[sarge43]

6. I thought everyone knew where the RNC headquarters were. n/t

[gratuitous]

8. That is a rodent of unusual size

But it still looks smaller than Glenn (the extra "n" is for "knowledge"!) Beck.

[kentauros]

10. Too bad it wasn't in Sumatra...

[SoCalDem]

12. Now PUT IT BACK, and leave it alone..

It's been doing just fine....