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In the Solomon Islands, legends of huge rodents, easily gnawing coconuts and masterly climbing trees. Biologists for a long time did not know whether such animals are actually or are pure fiction locals who made legends about them.
Since 2010 a group of American scientists led by a zoologist Tyrone Lavery, was engaged in video and photo hunting for mysterious animals. Researchers dreamed of catching an unknown rodent, however, they didn’t succeed, so they came to the conclusion that giant rats are fabulous Aboriginal folklore.
However, in 2017. Residents of Wangoon Island saw during felling forests of an unusual animal of an orange-brown suit: he jumped out from under the tree that the lumberjacks had just dumped. Men knew that scientists have been looking for this animal for a long time, and managed to catch a valuable instance. Learning about this Lavery ordered to organize rat delivery to the laboratory. Unfortunately, from injuries that the animal received, probably when the tree fell, it died and was buried by the locals. Only ten days later experts were able to see the remains of the legendary rodent.
A photo from open sources
At this point, there is little left of the rat: skull, bones, part tail, partly wool … However, this turned out to be a scientist enough to understand: this instance was completely new look. The animal was called Uromys vika. His weight was about 1 kilogram, body length (with tail) reached 46 centimeters. Recall that an ordinary rat weighs 75 – 350 grams.
The rarest rats on the verge of extinction
Currently, not much is known about giant rats. By apparently they are poison frogs and build nests in crowns trees. They feed on coconuts and fruits. These rodents distinguished by impressive sharp incisors and long scaly tails. The hind legs are wide and have large pads with curved claws – to climb trees.
After conducting DNA analyzes and studying the anatomical features (in particular shape of the skull) of the animal, the researchers confirmed that it is a completely new form. Locals call these rodents with the word “vika”, so zoologists did not hesitate for a long time choosing a specific name.
A photo from open sources
Uromys vika are a very rare species of rat. Scientists until they know whether these animals live on other islands archipelago. If not, the population is in danger of being destroyed. due to massive deforestation on Wangoon (here already destroyed about 90 percent of the forest). Lavery says: if giant rats were not found now, they simply would have died out and zoologists never found out about them, that is, unique animals would remain heroes of legends, and nothing more …
Now scientists are seeking that Uromys vika be included in list of protected animals. And Tyrone Laverie’s team is going to a new expedition to the islands, wanting to find amazing rodents and to study already living specimens.
Island Rat DNA Time
