'Hog-nosed rat' discovered in Indonesian jungle
- Published
A team of scientists say they've discovered a new species of rat in Indonesia.
The little creature was found in a remote forest on Indonesia's Sulawesi island and has been named Hyorhinomys stuempkei.
Researchers say it has unique features "uncommon to other rats".
The rat has large ears, low teeth and a long tail
And of course, unique hog-like nostrils
Five other rodents were discovered on Sulawesi island earlier in January by researchers from Australia, Indonesia and the US.
Mammal expert, Kevin Rowe, said it was an "exciting moment" finding the 'hog-nosed rat'.
"We had been setting up overnight traps for a few days - that was when I stumbled upon a completely new rat," he said.
"I hollered immediately for my colleagues as I knew it was a new species."
The rats appeared "healthy, with full stomachs", weighing at an estimated 250g.
The rat was first discovered in a remote forest on Indonesia's Sulawesi island
He said the rat's uniqueness had "far exceeded expectations".
"Obviously its nostrils which resemble a hog's, are very unique. But it also has a long face and larger ears for a rat of its size and lower teeth which are more in common with shrew rats," he added.
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