Researchers discovered remains of an extinct species of rats that are as big as dogs. (Photo : Reuters)
Scientists recently discovered remains of an extinct species of rat that are 10 times bigger than those found today. The fossils were discovered in an excavation site in East Timor and based on the remains, the rats are believed to be about the same size as a small dog.
Based on the remains excavated on the site, researchers believe that humans have lived alongside these giant rats. Evidence also suggests that humans may have eaten them.
Scientists from the Australian National University were behind the discovery of fossils belonging to seven giant rat species. ANU School of Culture faculty Dr. Julien Louys, who currently leads the team of scientists behind the discovery, said that these are the largest known species of rats to have ever existed.
In a statement posted on the Australian National University website, Dr. Louys said, "They are what you would call mega-fauna. The biggest one is about five kilos, the size of a small dog. Just to put that in perspective, a large modern rat would be about half a kilo."
The researchers also believe that the huge rats were herbivores. The team is currently working out on a theory that could explain why this species of rats became extinct.
The discovery was part of the "From Sunda to Sahul" project which aims to trace the movements of the earliest humans to walk the region of Southeast Asia. Dr. Louys said that the earliest records of humans on East Timor can be traced back more than 46,000 years ago and the scientist believe that the large species of rats have been existence throughout that timeline as well, according to Daily Mail.
