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Giant Fossil Rodent Discovered

Posted by samzenpus on from the fire-swamp dept.

conlaw writes "According a report in today's National Geographic News, scientists in Uruguay have confirmed that a skeleton found by an amateur paleontologist is that of the largest known rodent. Based on the 21-inch-long skull, the scientists have concluded that the creature, who lived between 2 and 4 million years ago, was about the size of a full-grown bull, weighing in at slightly over a ton. Imagine encountering one of these guys in your cozy little cave!"

14 of 47 comments (clear)

  1. Rodents of unusual size? by Eevee · · Score: 5, Funny

    I don't think they exist.

  2. That's no fossil rodent! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    That's Richard Stallman. Close though.

  3. According to the HGttG... by Eric+Smith · · Score: 2, Funny

    The Ravenous Giant Rodent of Earth often makes a good meal for visiting tourists.

    (This entry may need to be updated in the next edition.)

    1. Re:According to the HGttG... by gardyloo · · Score: 2, Funny

      The Ravenous Giant Rodent of Earth often makes a good meal of visiting tourists.

          You were right: it did need to be updated.

    2. Re:According to the HGttG... by Provocateur · · Score: 2, Funny

      The last guy they did send to verify the facts was only able to send this much:

      "The Ravenous Giant Rodent of Earth often makes a good meal"

      and we never heard from him again. Ford, are you working on anything right now? Other than finishing your drink, that is.

      --
      WARNING: Smartphones have side effects--most of them undocumented.
  4. RouS? by User+956 · · Score: 2, Funny

    the scientists have concluded that the creature, who lived between 2 and 4 million years ago, was about the size of a full-grown bull, weighing in at slightly over a ton.

    inconceivable!

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  5. Top 10 things that R.S. and F.R. have in common by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    OK, ya gotta love RS, so this is just good natured teasing:

    1.Still waiting for giant rodent's vapor OS 2. Emacs keyboard layout based on ancient rodent thinking patterns
    3. Beady little black eyes
    4. Once taken seriously, now just an interesting historical topic
    5. Same ability to take input from others
    6. Upstaged by superior competitors
    7. HAIRY!!
    8. Evolutionary dead-end
    9. Makes women jump on a chair


    AND FINALLY.....

    10. Both MIT graduates !!

  6. Giant Fossil Rodents? by rueger · · Score: 3, Funny

    Honestly, some of us are really tired of the endless coverage of the US election primaries. Especially the Republicans of which you speak...

    --
    Three Squirrels
    1. Re:Giant Fossil Rodents? by SpaceLifeForm · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think it's a Giant Fossil. I'm curious as to
      who this lifeform called Rodent is that discovered it.

      --
      You are being MICROattacked, from various angles, in a SOFT manner.
  7. Re:well... by PDX · · Score: 3, Funny

    The city of Washington DC was built on a swamp. They drained away all the water but the rats never left. They evolved into lobbyists....

    http://www.theonion.com/content/node/31923

  8. What are we going to do tonight, Brain? by msauve · · Score: 2, Funny

    The same thing we do every night, Pinky, try to take over the world!

    --
    "National Security is the chief cause of national insecurity." - Celine's First Law
  9. Re:Well.. by jamesh · · Score: 3, Funny

    there is no way i'm clicking on a link labeled "world'o'frats"!!!

  10. Think of the music! by Tr3vin · · Score: 3, Funny

    Imagine the music you could play with those things, that is if you could find a mallet that was large enough.

  11. I, for one... by gmuslera · · Score: 3, Funny

    ... say goodbye to our old giant rats overlords.