Rodents Of Unusual Size among 40+ species discovered in mountain crater in Papua New Guinea

[eShirl]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/sep/07/discovery-species-papua-new-guinea

Lost world of fanged frogs and giant rats discovered in Papua New Guinea

The Bosavi Woolly Rat had no fear of humans when it was discovered. Photograph: Jonny Keeling/BBC


A lost world populated by fanged frogs, grunting fish and tiny bear-like creatures has been discovered in a remote volcanic crater on the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea.

A team of scientists from Britain, America, Hawaii and Papua New Guinea found more than 40 previously unidentified species when they climbed into the kilometre-deep crater of Mount Bosavi and explored a pristine jungle habitat teeming with life that has evolved in isolation since the volcano last erupted 200,000 years ago. In a remarkably rich haul from just five weeks of exploration, the biologists discovered 16 frogs which have never before been recorded by science, at least three new fish, a new bat and a giant rat, which may turn out to be the biggest in the world.

-snip-


image from "The Princess Bride:"

[TCJ70]

1. Those are some amazing pictures!

Especially of the King Bird of Paradise...

[msongs]

2. did u know they have a glacier on the highest volcano there? right on the equator nt

[Creena]

3. I don't think they exist.

[flvegan]

4. Amazing.

Just amazing.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. Papua New Guinea seems like another world entirely

Amazing pictures.

[Lasher]

6. Fanged frogs and giant rats? Nighmare stuff!

[Lorien]

7. The bird of Paradise is wild!

check out the photos to the right of the R.O.U.S at the link.

[Triana]

8. So that's where Republicans came from! Huh. n/t

[saltpoint]

9. They're just cute as a button, aren't they?

First thing Tuesday I'm calling the pet shop to see how much they want for one.

[Swamp Rat]

10. Better be nice to us rats!

We're taking over!! :D

[Creena]

11. Aw, that reminds me of my rescue rattie.

Smart little dude, too.

[MilesColtrane]

12. Fearless, giant rats?

Sounds like Detroit.

[donheld]

13. This is about republicans right?

[Sal Minella]

14. ??? No Firesign Fans ???

No Giant Rat of Sumatra references? None at all? None?

[saltpoint]

15. So I'm at the pet shop asking the clerk if they have any of these

rats in stock.

Or do I have to order one?

And how long will that take, anyway?

Also what do they eat? Large sub-Saharan quadropeds? How much are those? Can I get them in bulk at Sam's Club?

I don't even LIKE Sam's Club, so I hope he doesn't tell me that's the only place I can get sub-Saharan quadropeds for the rat to eat.

Also I may need some suggestions for what to call it. Huckabee. Todd. John Yoo.

[ellisonz]

16. Attention: Birthers!

"A team of scientists from Britain, America, Hawaii and Papua New Guinea"

[Libertas1776]

17. Oh my god. I'm so startled!!!

were there any Guineasaurus Rex's?