We always follow with interest stories about pests in the news, pests on TV/radio, etc. So here is an idea for Colin for a new program he can watch.
It is called: The Lost Land of the Volcano and starts on BBC1 tonight. The episode to watch for those particulary interested in rats is due to be shown on September 22nd.
And why? Well, it appears that a new species of rat has been discovered – a giant rat if you like. It was found in the Mount Bosavi crater in Papua New Guinea by the BBC team filming the series. It has yet to be given a scientific name, but is currently known as the osavi woolly rat.
George (“The One Show”) McGavin, a Research Associate at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History and The Department of Zoology of Oxford University told CNN:
“It’s hard to be sure exactly how many new species we have found, but it is more than 30. To find new species of insects in this region isn’t uncommon, but we found sixteen new frog species, one new bat species and at least three new fish, and this giant bloody rat — the size of a cat. Amazing!”
However, a rat found earlier this Summer in Madagascar, appears to be even bigger. What should we call that one then, a super-enormous-giant-rat?
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Are Bugs Getting Bigger Too?
Lest we think that rodents have a leg up on the pests of the world, take a look at these giant creepy crawlies. Rats may have evolved to large and lean machines, but the bugs aren’t far behind! As the author says, the only thing worse than a little bug crawling on you is a huge one crawling on you! Where will it stop?!
I watched this programme last night (best to watch in HD if you can) and it was really interesting. Saw a lovely bat (i never thought i would use that adjective to describe a bat!) on the show and an amazing snake and other creatures i have never heard of. These programmes are really interesting to help open your eyes to nature but also as they can dispel some long held bad views of these creatures. I think i read an article the other day saying that rats are actually getting bigger generally in their evolution – can’t remember the cause of it though!
I watched this programme again this week. It was really interesting. Absolutely huge insects that i would never want to come across in real life (they make my skin crawl at the best of times!) but what was truely amazing were the images of the birds of paradise. What an amazing sight and such amazing colours – you’ve got to see it! Am looking forward to next week’s programme about this giant rat!
So I watched the final episode last night featuring the giant rat. (They kept on referring to it as giant ‘woolly’ rat). Although not the cutest thing to feature in the episode last night, it certainly wasn’t the ugliest (I leave that accolade for the bugs and beetle larvae – yuk). All in all, a brilliant programme. You can’t help but be swept along by the enthusiasm of the scientists. There are just so many wonderful and interesting animals (and insects) out there, it kind of makes me appreciate wildlife more. The scene where the scientist was covered in moths was truely amazing – so many vivid colours & varieties. I can’t praise the show enough. And I haven’t even touched on the spectacular scenery!