New Rat Species Discovered! (Uromys Vika)

[Fresco3]

A new giant rat species has been discovered in the Solomon Islands. Found in 2015, it has now been classified as a new species. It's the first new rodent species discovered on the Solomon Islands in 80 years!

Named the Vangunu Giant Rat, it has a rather interesting discovery story XD.

Giant Rat That Fell From Sky Is New Species

new species of giant rat (Muridae, Uromys ) from Vangunu, Solomon Islands | Journal of Mammalogy | Oxford Academic

 

[birdsandbats]

Interesting. I'm surprised it still exists, being an island endemic. I hope it can be saved.

 

[Jurek7]

Good candidate for captive breeding (apparently it is cute, unlike many rodents).

 

[Kakapo]

Good candidate for captive breeding (apparently it is cute, unlike many rodents).

I'm not agree at all... for me, every rodents are cute, even naked mole rats ;-)

 

[DesertRhino150]

A recent update - the Vangunu giant rat has now been successfully photographed for the first time, with 95 camera trap images taken of an estimated four individuals.

The photographs come at an important juncture in the species' story, as the sole forest patch they are known from was opened to commercial logging in 2022. Representatives from the local tribe who have tried to get the area protected for 16 years have lodged an appeal, the outcome of which will probably determine whether the species survives or not.

A news article about the discovery can be read here:
Team takes first-ever photos of the Vangunu giant rat

The actual scientific paper can be seen below:
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ece3.10703

 

[antilio capra]

Such high stakes, any update now. Could the rat be saved. The suspense is killing me
Wait a minute what happend to captive breeding?

 

[splendens]

Here’s some very good news for the forest, people, Vangunu giant rat, New Georgian monkey-faced bat and other native species.

Domavola was the only company which was authorized to log so far I believe, and has now decided to not go through with logging on the island.
Domavola withdraws logging plans on Vangunu