Rat That Doesn't Gnaw Discovered in Indonesia

[Judi Lynn]

Rat That Doesn't Gnaw Discovered in Indonesia
By Niniek Karmini
August 23, 2012 2:35PM

Scientists say an unusual species of rat that cannot gnaw or chew has been discovered on an island in Indonesia and is an example of rodent evolution. The shrew-like animal is the only rodent out of more than 2,200 known species that does not have molars and instead has bicuspid upper incisors. The discovery shows the island's unique biodiversity.

A unique species of near-toothless rat that lives off earthworms and doesn't chew or gnaw has been seen in Indonesia.

The shrew-like animal with a long, pointed snout was described online in this week's British journal Biology Letters. Paucidentomys vermidax, which translates loosely to "few-toothed rat" and "worm eater," is the only rodent out of more than 2,200 known species that does not have molars and instead has bicuspid upper incisors, it said.

Two rats were found in the mountainous rain forest of southern Sulawesi Island last year on Mount Latimojong and 100 kilometers (62 miles) northwest on Mount Gandangdewata.

More:
http://www.sci-tech-today.com/story.xhtml?story_id=12100C0ESIDT

[xchrom]

1. du rec. Nt

[longship]

2. Damn cool.

Wish we had them here. The damned mice are driving me crazy. Out here in the country they are ever present. How they get in, I'll never know. But they love anything I leave out. I trap them, and trap them, and trap them. Maybe I need a cat. But then I have to deal with the cat.

There are cougars here. Wonder if they eat mice. Here kitty, kitty, kitty.

[kickysnana]

3. Friends have had some luck with a borrowed cat pan in outbuildings

ie garages and sheds.

I had the best mouser, a huge female calico who loved everyone even the Siamese who hated her so she had to go sleep with the Doberman.