Comments on: Giant Fossil Rodent Discovered

By: Loren Coleman

Loren Coleman — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:55:39 +0000

Yes, indeed, as noted by others here. These fossil forms have a lot more in common with pacaranas, as the article mentions, and appear to look more like giant capybaras, than giant rats.

Therefore, I have revised the headline to this blog.

By: Sordes

Sordes — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:35:23 +0000

The term “rat” is very misleading, as this animals had nearly no connection with rats. What would make at least more sense would be to call it a monster guinea pig, as this south american rodents are in fact closer related to this extinct brute than any rat.

By: plant girl

plant girl — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 16:16:22 +0000

That is one big rat!

By: mystery_man

mystery_man — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:36:52 +0000

This is a fascinating find. Giganticism is a relatively common evolutionary route for a range of animals throughout the ages as it offers a whole slew of varied benefits even in light of the obvious drawback of having to acquire enough food to maintain such mass. I wonder what key environmental and selective pressures were present in this habitat in this particular case that made it advantageous for this rodent to develop such immense size? It is a very interesting topic for me.

By: kittenz

kittenz — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 23:55:37 +0000

It really does not look like a giant rat at all, but I guess “GIANT FOSSIL RAT” sounds a lot more exciting than “giant fossil capybara”.

I wonder if they were prey for Giant Fossil Cats ;)?

By: red_pill_junkie

red_pill_junkie — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:44:07 +0000

Just imagine the size of the trap to catch that big mutha!