Odd Rodent Rediscovered!
05/31/2011
Conservationists in Colombia, South America recently had an unexpected surprise: the rediscovery of a mammal that hadn't been seen for 113 years!
Known as the red-crested tree rat (Santamartamys rufodorsalis), the guinea pig-sized rodent was throught to be extinct until one randomly emerged from the forest at the El Dorado Nature Preserve. Researchers Lizzie Noble and Simon McKeown were looking for amphibians and just happened to be standing right there at that very moment and were able to snap a few pictures before the little critter headed back into forest.
Not only was the rediscovery completely unplanned and unexpected, the red-crested tree rat is oddly cute! My favorite part is its multi-colored tail.
Check out the pictures below and learn more about this Critically Endangered animal here.
All Photos: Lizzie Noble/ProAves.
Comments
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How do they know it's the same species? There was neither DNA testing nor color photography 113 years ago. Could it be a different species that shares characteristics?
That's not baiting, by the way, it's a real question.
Posted by: ignatz | 05/31/2011 at 02:30 PM
I totally want a purse made out of this! It's so cute!
Posted by: IR | 05/31/2011 at 02:33 PM
@ignatz - Good questions. There was indeed photography 113 years ago but these apparently the first photos ever taken of this species. That said, people were identifying and classifying species before photography and DNA testing. This is a documented species that is pretty distinctive in appearance, so identification based on just these photos is probably a safe bet. But to be sure a specimen would have to be tested.
Posted by: David Mizejewski | 05/31/2011 at 02:46 PM
One would hope that when another specimen is captured they will include a detailed list of DNA originality. However, i did read the description of this little bugger, and its contents match that of this "rediscovered" species. Points for the researchers for sighting this cute little guy, and we hope to hear about it in the future :)
Posted by: joshuah wells | 05/31/2011 at 06:41 PM
You know, I have never seen one of those... but I want to! How cute is that little guy! Where can I get one, maybe for a pet? Thanks for sharing those awesome images!
Posted by: Ricky Potts | 05/31/2011 at 11:20 PM
Now we need to figure out if regular rat poison can kill them, or if we need to start researching some new formulas.
Posted by: Stinkinrats | 05/31/2011 at 11:22 PM
Oh wow, that lil dude looks cool!
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Posted by: VugVee | 05/31/2011 at 11:37 PM
I wish... I were completely content...that everyone loved me...that all was well in the world
Posted by: Shmelly shpaniard | 05/31/2011 at 11:43 PM
The way human activities kill off species lately, they'd probably be better off if they stayed in hiding for another century or two.
Posted by: christopher | 06/01/2011 at 02:30 AM
the funny thing about how we kill off species is it doesn't matter if they hide or not.
Posted by: dylan | 06/01/2011 at 02:31 AM
He's really cute. It's totly kul that we are becoming more aware of rare animals. Now we just need to learn how to preserve their habitat so they can live free and thrive.
Posted by: Donna Berend | 06/01/2011 at 03:52 AM
Nature never cease to surprise us.It is full of wonders.Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: kriti shah | 06/01/2011 at 07:05 AM
@IR You can have purse made up of green materials.You dont need to kill living thins for your purse.
Posted by: archana agarwal | 06/11/2011 at 09:22 AM
Seeing a red-list species is really a treat and that too this small red-crested tree rat is very cute with its multi-color tail.
Posted by: John | 06/17/2011 at 03:05 AM
It looks so cute in pics.Another wonder of nature.Science just cant match the wonders of nature.
Posted by: rajeev verma | 06/30/2011 at 05:59 AM
Im a rodent guy and as an expert...this little fella is cute. Rediscovered after 113 years thats awesome. Thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Rat cages | 06/30/2011 at 03:05 PM
Cool Photo! I totally want a purse made out of this! It's so cute! Thanks!
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