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Rat Cunning May Allow For Island Colonization

Posted by Zonk on from the smart-little-rodents dept.

weighn writes "It was assumed that most rat invasions begin with one or two rats coming ashore from ships. The journal Nature reports that a wild rat, captured and then released on a deserted New Zealand island as part of an experiment, amazed scientists by apparently swimming 400 metres through treacherous open water to reach another island." From the article: "Researchers wanted to know how hard it would be to spot a single invader, and how difficult it would be to capture. Razza had a small radio transmitter attached and was set free on the island. Scientists intended to recapture him within eight weeks, but Razza gave a new meaning to 'rat cunning'. He avoided all the scientists' traps, and after 10 weeks his radio signal failed. 'It would be fair to say that at that point we were worried,' Professor Clout said. The Conservation Department was also worried, as the island had been cleared of rats."

4 of 190 comments (clear)

  1. Just 1 Rat by powera · · Score: 5, Funny

    If it's just 1 rat, I wouldn't be too worried. It may be clever, but it can't mate with itself.

    1. Re:Just 1 Rat by darkonc · · Score: 5, Funny
      It may be clever, but it can't mate with itself.

      Obviously, this rat was intelligent enough to figure that out too, which is probably why he swam to the next island. it's incredible what us males will do for just the hope of a nice piece of tail.

      --
      Sometimes boldness is in fashion. Sometimes only the brave will be bold.
  2. Somewhere... by Chairboy · · Score: 5, Funny

    Somewhere in the world, Jeff Goldblum weeps...

    "Oooooh, ahhh... that's how it always starts. Then later, there's running, and screaming, and standing on top of a stool in the middle of your kitchen waving a broom at Chucky Cheese the 'lone' mouse there. You think a single rat won't cause problems? My friend, if chaos theory has taught me anything... it's that nature will find a way..."

  3. Not invading! by M.+Baranczak · · Score: 5, Funny

    The rats are not "invading"! They're trying to spread democracy!