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Carnivorous Swamp Beast Discovered In Madagascar

crudmonkey writes "Researchers have identified a previously unknown species of carnivore lurking in one of the world's most endangered lakes. Durrell's vontsira, named in honor of the late conservationist and writer Gerald Durrell, was first photographed swimming in Madagascar's Lake Alaotra in 2004. Subsequent surveys confirmed the mongoose-like creature was indeed a new species. Durrell's vontsira is the first new carnivorous mammal discovered in Madagascar in 24 years. Little is known about the species, which is roughly the size of a cat."

24 of 157 comments (clear)

  1. R.O.U.S. by schlesinm · · Score: 3, Funny

    Obviously it's a Rodent Of Unusual Size.

    1. Re:R.O.U.S. by The_mad_linguist · · Score: 4, Funny

      Look, which is a more sensible size for a Carnivorous Swamp Beast? "Roughly the size of a cat", or "roughly the size of a car"?

      I can get a poet to testify under oath if necessary.

    2. Re:R.O.U.S. by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 4, Funny

      Look, which is a more sensible size for a Carnivorous Swamp Beast? "Roughly the size of a cat", or "roughly the size of a car"?

      Roughly the size of Cthulhu.

      --
      No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    3. Re:R.O.U.S. by Neil+Boekend · · Score: 3, Funny

      Carnivorous swamp beasts often make a very good meal of visiting tourists.

      FTFY

      --
      Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
  2. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Kenja · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're looking for a tin submarine toy and plaster? But we found that years ago...

    --

    "Have you ever thought about just turning off the TV, sitting down with your kids, and hitting them?"
  3. Re:We are so quick to label it a 'beast' by mister_playboy · · Score: 3, Funny

    20-fingered

    Inbreed much? :)

    --
    Do what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law ::: Love is the law, love under will
  4. Re:First things first by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's just Western chauvinism. For example, in Japan, parents tell their children that chicken "tastes just like squid".

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  5. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by syousef · · Score: 4, Funny

    I don't usually complain about the summaries (because I know they're all bad) but this one was a real disappointment to me. Carnivorous swamp beast?? I'm looking for this bad boy. But no, it's just a little cute furry guy, a little irate because someone is holding him by the throat. I would be irate too. OK, I know it's news, but such a disappointment.

    If it was a slashdotter vs that cute little guy, I'd put money on the beaver like thing. You're forgetting what years of living in a basement does to muscle. To most of us that is a BEAST.

    --
    These posts express my own personal views, not those of my employer
  6. I was hoping.... by Fizzol · · Score: 2, Funny

    for Mokele-mbembe.

  7. It seems very nervous in the pictures. by SharpFang · · Score: 2, Funny

    Did they try wrapping towels around their heads to calm it down?

    --
    45 5F E1 04 22 CA 29 C4 93 3F 95 05 2B 79 2A B2
  8. New film anyone by dredwerker · · Score: 2, Funny

    Madagascar 4 the wild beast of the lake - a homecoming story.

    --
    On a long enough timeline. The survival rate for everyone drops to zero. Chuck Palahniuk, Fight Club, 1996
  9. Re:First things first by ozmanjusri · · Score: 4, Funny

    ...And in Shunga Japan, squid parents tell their children that fishermen's wives taste just like fish.

    --
    "I've got more toys than Teruhisa Kitahara."
  10. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by arivanov · · Score: 2, Funny

    I will give you my mom's siamese to hold.

    It is roughly the same size, is very old for a cat (17y), frail, slow and has terminal cancer.

    Wanna try? I am happy to call the ambulance afterwards.

    Never judgde a creature solely by its size. That is a very fine set of fangs and razorblades I see there...

    --
    Baker's Law: Misery no longer loves company. Nowadays it insists on it
    http://www.sigsegv.cx/
  11. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Nursie · · Score: 2, Funny

    That's no vontsira. It's a space station.

  12. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Neil+Boekend · · Score: 4, Funny

    Your knowledge of rabbit carnivorous creatures is lacking my friend. Although it looks cute the Rabbit of Caerbannog should not be trifled with!
    On a side note: is copy paste somehow destroyed on /.? I was trying to copy the name from Wikipedia but it will not paste.

    --
    Well, I might have a way, but it only works on a semi spherical planet in a vacuum.
  13. Endangered Lake??? by x_IamSpartacus_x · · Score: 1, Funny

    Ok... what the heck is an endangered lake? Aren't all lakes different and therefore "the last just like it", therefore endangered? If there's only one left of any species of animal that animal would be endangered, so wouldn't you say that every lake is endangered simply because it's the last and only of it's kind? Am I missing something?

  14. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    Yesterday I went out to buy some groceries. When I came back home my wife commented that the carrots I had bought were very big, so I told her: "If this is what the carrots look like, just imagine the size of the rabbit!"

    She did not laugh. She does not share my sense of humor.

  15. Re:We are so quick to label it a 'beast' by RevWaldo · · Score: 2, Funny

    Look, do you want a SyFy original movie based on this critter (Swamp Beast!, starring Lucy Lawless and Erik Estrada) or don't you?

    .

  16. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

    You're forgetting what years of living in a basement does to muscle.

    Wait - what does years of a slashdotter living in the basement do to muscle? Oh, so as long as we hold the beastie in our right arms, we'll be fine?

  17. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by agw · · Score: 3, Funny

    Took them 24 years to find the cute babies. Just wait until they find the first full grown one.

  18. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by Some1too · · Score: 3, Funny

    I don't usually complain about the summaries (because I know they're all bad) but this one was a real disappointment to me. Carnivorous swamp beast?? I'm looking for this bad boy. But no, it's just a little cute furry guy, a little irate because someone is holding him by the throat. I would be irate too. OK, I know it's news, but such a disappointment. If it was a slashdotter vs that cute little guy, I'd put money on the beaver like thing. You're forgetting what years of living in a basement does to muscle. To most of us that is a BEAST.

    I think the average slahdotter living in his basement would have no problem choking something of the size of a small rodent...

    I tried to resist but it was just too easy. I feel like I should also state I live in a basement, post on slashdot and have a girlfriend... ;-)

    S.

  19. Hell... by dvoecks · · Score: 2, Funny

    Jimmy Carter was attacked by a scarier-looking swamp beast than that!

  20. Re:I don't usually complain about summaries by randizzle3000 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Haha...Palmela Handerson?

  21. New Carnivorous Beast Discovered? by UndyingShadow · · Score: 3, Funny

    New Carnivorous Beast Discovered? In Madagascar? SHUT DOWN EVERYTHING!