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New Rodent Species Found

Posted by Zonk on from the squeak-squeak dept.

IZ Reloaded writes "A new species of rodent has been discovered by World Conservation Society researcher Dr. Robert Timmins. He found this creature in a hunter's market in Central Laos. The creature known as Kha-Nyou to the locals is so unique it represents an entire new family of wildlife. Kha-Nyou diverged from other rodents millions of years ago."

1 of 293 comments (clear)

  1. No replacement for Nutria by Sean+Clifford · · Score: 4, Interesting
    Cool, I wonder how many other mammals we have running around out there waiting to be discovered? Well, maybe not waiting around to be on Leno...

    Since the Kha-Nyou only have one pup at a time there's no hope they can displace Louisiana's Nutria rat problem. Interesting that the Kha-Nyou are vegetarian rats; that's certainly an oddity. Rodents tend to eat pretty much everything (Cat5 cables, cardboard, styrofoam, cafeteria food).

    Nutria rats are a serious ecological problem around here (rural Louisiana). If you're bored on the weekend you can get $4 a tail.