New species of giant rat discovered in Solomon Islands

By dr. dolittle on September 30, 2017.

A new species of giant tree rats (Uromys vika) has been confirmed in the Solomon Islands! These rats can reach over 2 pounds and an impressive 1.5 feet in length. They can even break through coconuts with their teeth. I would not want to cross paths with one of these critters.

Sources:

Video: YouTube

TH Lavery, H Judge. A new species of giant rat (Muridae, Uromys) from Vangunu, Solomon Islands. Journal of Mammalogy, https://doi.org/10.1093/jmammal/gyx116 Published: 27 September 2017

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