Giant Rats Triple Common Rodents’ Size: Sharp Teeth, Thick Fur, and 3-Inch Paws Uncovered

Giant "Subalpine Woolly Rat" Discovered in Papua New Guinea

A striking new species of giant rat, measuring over 2.5 feet (85 cm) long, has been documented in the remote highlands of Mount Wilhelm, Papua New Guinea. Dubbed the subalpine woolly rat (Mallomys istapantap), this elusive creature boasts thick fur, sharp incisors, and clawed paws, making it one of the largest rodents ever recorded.

Scientist František Vejmělk with the subalpine woolly rat. (Image: Example Source)

Key Discoveries

• Size: The rat’s body spans 2.7 feet (85 cm) including its tail and weighs nearly 4.4 lbs (2 kg)—three times larger than a common brown rat.
• Habitat: Found at 12,000 feet (3,700 meters) elevation in Mount Wilhelm’s misty forests and grasslands.
• Behavior: Nocturnal, tree-climbing, and herbivorous, it uses underground burrows or tree canopies for shelter.

Expedition Insights

Czech scientist František Vejmělk led a six-month expedition, collaborating with local tribes to capture the first-ever photos and videos of the species in the wild. Camera traps revealed the rat’s nighttime activity, while indigenous knowledge helped locate its habitat.

First camera-trap image of the subalpine woolly rat. (Image: Example Source)

Why It Matters

Previously known only from museum specimens collected in the 1980s, this discovery highlights the biodiversity of New Guinea’s mountains. “It’s astonishing that such a large animal remained so understudied,” said Vejmělk. The findings, published in Mammalia, emphasize the need to protect unexplored ecosystems.

How It Compares

While impressive, this rat isn’t the largest in history:

• Gambian pouched rat: Up to 3 feet (90 cm) long, native to Africa.
• Extinct giants: Josephoartigasia monesi (South America) weighed over 2,200 lbs (1,000 kg).

The Gambian pouched rat, one of the world’s largest rodents. (Image: Example Source)

Final Thoughts

This discovery underscores the mysteries still hidden in Earth’s remote regions. As Vejmělk notes, “How much more is there to discover in tropical mountains?” With threats like habitat loss looming, such species remind us of nature’s wonders—and the urgency to protect them.

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