Scientists have discovered a new mammal that they have named the hog-nosed rat. This rat is different from any species, or even genus found in a high-altitude jungle of Sulawesi, Indonesia. What makes the rat different are its very small mouth, large white front teeth, big ears and noticeably long pubic hairs. It also has long hind limbs similar to a bandicoot, suggesting it might hop, and long pubic hairs not seen in rats but featured on an Australian hopping mammal, the potoroo. The rat’s mouth can barely open suggesting the rat ‘slurps’ up its food – most likely earthworms, beetle larvae and other invertebrates. Genetic testing confirmed it was also a new genus. . All rats and mice evolved 25 million years ago, of which there are over 1400 known species.
