♦ nivek ♦ Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 http://www.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/12/1...t.ap/index.html JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) -- Researchers in a remote jungle in Indonesia have discovered a giant rat and a tiny possum that are apparently new to science, underscoring the stunning biodiversity of the Southeast Asian nation, scientists said Monday. The giant rat is about five times the size of a typical city rat. 1 of 2 Unearthing new species of mammals in the 21st century is considered very rare. The discoveries by a team of American and Indonesian scientists are being studied further to confirm their status. The animals were found in the Foja mountains rainforest in eastern Papua province in a June expedition, said U.S.-based Conservation International, which organized the trip along with the Indonesian Institute of Science. "The giant rat is about five times the size of a typical city rat," said Kristofer Helgen, a scientist with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington. "With no fear of humans, it apparently came into the camp several times during the trip." The possum was described as "one of the world's smallest marsupials." A 2006 expedition to the same stretch of jungle -- dubbed by Conservation International as a "Lost World" because until then humans had rarely visited it -- unearthed scores of exotic new species of palms and butterflies. Papua has some of the world's largest tracts of rainforest, but like elsewhere in Indonesia they are being ravaged by illegal logging. Scientists said last year that the Foja area was not under immediate threat, largely because it was so remote. "It's comforting to know that there is a place on Earth so isolated that it remains the absolute realm of wild nature," said expedition leader Bruce Beehler. "We were pleased to see that this little piece of Eden remains as pristine and enchanting as it was when we first visited." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GraphicsGuy Posted December 18, 2007 Share Posted December 18, 2007 "With no fear of humans, it apparently came into the camp several times during the trip." Very cool...and just another scientific discovery that proves yet another Biblical passage inaccurate: Genesis 9:2 The fear and dread of you will fall upon all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air, upon every creature that moves along the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are given into your hands. Darwin discovered this too on the Galapagos. He was able to pick birds right out of their nests...humans were technically "invisible" to the animals. Just proves that fear of man is a "learned" behavior, not a God-given instinct (though it can become instinctual). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naughtyhamster Posted December 19, 2007 Share Posted December 19, 2007 "With no fear of humans, it apparently came into the camp several times during the trip." What a cute and friendly little fellow! I hope these cuties get protection like pandas do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 so when can i buy one at petsmart? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
necrosmith Posted December 20, 2007 Share Posted December 20, 2007 Oh, man! He's awesome! I want one! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PandaPirate Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 That's where my pet rat ran away to! Bring him back home dammit! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rev R Posted December 25, 2007 Share Posted December 25, 2007 reminds me of a nutria Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sonofspong Posted December 29, 2007 Share Posted December 29, 2007 Looks like some asshole has been dumping nuclear waste in that area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evan Posted January 2, 2008 Share Posted January 2, 2008 I wanna get a hold of that nuclear waste then because thats some pretty potent stuff! Maybe we could do some clinical trials with fundies? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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