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Eek! A Giant New Rat

Papua New Guinea's 'lost world' yields more wonder

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 18, 2007 2:25 PM CST
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(Newser) – Amid the lush paradise of a so-called lost world, researchers ran into a little reminder of the developed world's sewers: A heretofore undiscovered giant rat five times the size of gutter-variety rodents. The group also came across a new pygmy possum and various rare birds in the remote area of Papua New Guinea, the BBC reports.

The "cloud forest," over a mile above sea level, is home to scores of recently documented species, the Guardian reports. But the area, discovered in 2005, bears bad news for the timid: The Mallomys giant rat, like many animals in the area, is something of a ham. "With no fear of humans, it came into the camp several times during the trip," said one researcher.

In this undated photo released by Conservation International, a pygmy possum that is probably a species new to science, is seen in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province, Indonesia. Researchers in a remote jungle in Indonesia have discovered a giant rat and the tiny possum that are apparently new...
In this undated photo released by Conservation International, a pygmy possum that is probably a species new to science, is seen in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province, Indonesia....   (Associated Press)
In this undated photo released by Conservation International, mammalogist Martua Sinaga holds a 1.4 kg giant rat that is probably a species new to science, in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province, Indonesia. Researchers in a remote jungle in Indonesia have discovered a giant rat and a tiny...
In this undated photo released by Conservation International, mammalogist Martua Sinaga holds a 1.4 kg giant rat that is probably a species new to science, in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost...   (Associated Press)
In this undated photo released by Conservation International, mammalogist Martua Sinaga holds a 1.4 kg giant rat that is probably a species new to science, in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost Papua province, Indonesia. Researchers in a remote jungle in Indonesia have discovered a giant rat and a tiny...
In this undated photo released by Conservation International, mammalogist Martua Sinaga holds a 1.4 kg giant rat that is probably a species new to science, in Foja mountains in Indonesia's easternmost...   (Associated Press)
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Fearless giant rat discovered
New Zealand Herald

Indonesia's 'lost world' yields two new species
AFP

Scientists have only scratched the surface of this 'lost world'
Reuters

More on the expedition to the Foja Wilderness
Telegraph (UK)

 
conservation • Papua New Guinea • rats • Foja Mountains • Mallomys giant rat

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