Can you guys believe that it is Friday already? I can’t either. I hope you are all up to something fun and exciting this weekend. It looks like I will be spending my time in Vancouver for the weekend. I will make sure to bring my camera in case I manage to discover a new urban animal. Speaking of discovering new animals, today’s fact was only discovered a few years ago (how do you like that segue?) There isn’t a lot of information on the newly discovered Bosavi Wooly Rat but I wanted to share the information that does exist with all of you.
This is the type of rat that I would expect to discover on my travels to Vancouver. It is almost 3 feet in length and weighs over 3 pounds. That is one big rat! I made a Ninja Turtle comment a few days ago so I am guessing that this rat would be their fearless leader, Splinter. So why did it take so long for humans to discover this large rat? Well, it doesn’t hang out in sewers or anywhere that people reside. You see this “little” guy was found living in an extinct Volcano, Mount Bosavi, in Papua New Guinea. In fact they discovered numerous animal species in this crater. Their adventure is truly a dream of any biologist.
What I like about the wooly rat is the fact that it is actually a true rat like the ones you expect to find in the sewers. We have talked about other large rodents like beavers or capybara’s but this is a real rat! The other fascinating behaviour was its complete lack of fear of humans. This animal had absolutely no idea what a human being was and therefore wasn’t afraid. The thought of a whole ecosystem going on without human interference is incredible and rare these days.
Before we go, I just wanted to give you one last piece of information about this amazing rat. The Bosavi Wooly Rat has a long, thick coat of silver-brown fur which is theorized to help protect them against the cold, wet conditions of the volcano.
Well, I am off to discover my own species. I hope you will all do the same this weekend.
Wow …3 feet…that’s huge. How big is the normal river rat (in comparison). Dad used to see river rats growing up so now I’m curious at the size difference.
Good post as usual!
Hi Mom and Dad,
I have never heard of them being called “river rats” before but I am assuming you mean normal “sewer rats”. If this is the case the Brown Rat (aka: Norway Rat, Sewer Rat, Common Rat, etc) is about 10 inches long and weighs about 12 ounces. The Black Rat, which is generally found in warmer climate is about 8 inches long.
You can see that the Bosavi Wooly Rat is a good 2 feet longer than these other rats. You can see why they are so interesting.
I hope this answers the question but if not then you know where to find me.
Fascinating, and an incredible coincidence! We just spotted a rat in our backyard yesterday, first one ever, just your normal small town specimen, but enough to create quite a stir. Apparently, they’ve been moving into the neighborhood at an alarming rate. I’m not really scared of them, and actually love all animals, but my neighbors are terrified and in an uproar. But three feet long-that might even give me pause. Enjoy Vancouver-I hear it’s a lovely city.
Hey NP,
That is pretty interesting that the rats are starting to move in your neighbourhood. I am not sure why everyone is getting worried but I am curious as to why they are all of a sudden showing up.
I am sure a 3 foot rat would make me stop in my tracks until I found out it was friendly. Vancouver was a great definitely has some incredible aspects to it. I recommend visiting the city at some point.
Thanks for stopping by.