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Author
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Topic: Giant rat that once roamed the earth
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SattvicMoon
Knowflake Posts: 2282
From:
Registered: May 2007
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posted January 16, 2008 10:44 AM
 
The fossilised skull of a rat the size of a car has been unearthed. The creature lived about four million years ago, weighed about a tonne and ate mostly soft vegetation. It was so big that it probably spent much of its life semi-submerged in water, like a hippo, to reduce the stresses caused by its size.Palaeontologists found the skull in rock deposits in Uruguay. It is believed to date back two to four million years to a time when giant wildlife was commonplace in South America. The rodent, Josephoartigasia monesi, was uncovered by Andrés Rinderknecht and Ernesto Blanco. It has been nicknamed Mighty Mouse and is thought to have been similar to the capybara and pacarana, much smaller creatures that are still found in South America. Capybaras are the biggest living rodents at just over 60kg fully grown, while pacaranas weigh 15kg. The common rat weighs about 300g. Read Complete Source Article: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/science/article3193462.ece IP: Logged |
Nephthys
Moderator Posts: 3840
From: California
Registered: Oct 2001
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posted January 16, 2008 01:00 PM
So interesting! Imagine going back in time! IP: Logged |
Mirandee
unregistered
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posted January 16, 2008 06:26 PM
Wow, Moonie. That's quite a find. I am scared enough of the rats that exist today. Imagine encountering a rat that size with 12 inch teeth!!!  IP: Logged |
NosiS
Moderator Posts: 1080
From: )
Registered: Apr 2004
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posted April 29, 2008 11:57 PM
Ah-ha!A similar article...
I thought it might've already been posted. Oh well...  IP: Logged |
SunnyRains
Knowflake Posts: 132
From: USA
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted May 05, 2008 02:30 PM
holy hell!! Reminds me of those rats on the movie Princess Bride lol...IP: Logged |
angel_of_hope
Moderator Posts: 1471
From: Palmer, AK
Registered: Jul 2004
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posted May 07, 2008 06:55 PM
Wow! That is facinating. I'd not heard of this find before. Thanks Moonie and Thanks SunnyRains for bumpin it up. IP: Logged |
Randall
Webmaster Posts: 25663
From: Columbus, GA USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted May 17, 2008 01:10 PM
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"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia." Charles Schultz IP: Logged |
Lindaland
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