Posted by ChiefJack Hawk on Thursday, May 5, 2011,
In :
Paleontology
Much as last week's announcement about giant fossil spiders, we have to take the word "giant" in context. Paleontologists revealed today that the have found giant ant fossils--giant when compared to today's ants. Modern-day giant ants are around an inch long, but this fossil was from about 50 million years ago, and was at least two inches long, making this ant, Titanomyrma lucei, about the size of a hummingbird (see photo). Found in the Green River section of Wyoming, these ants were most ... Continue reading ...
Giant Rat Discovered
Posted by ChiefJack Hawk on Monday, July 26, 2010,
In :
Animals
Scientists announced on July 24 that they have discovered the remains of the largest rat that ever lived in a cave in Southeast Asia's East Timor. Carbon dating shows that the animal lived as recently as 1,000 years ago. The most likely cause of its demise is overclearing of the rain forest for agricultural projects, although rat is still a staple of the human diet in this part of the world, and a rat that's larger than a house cat would have been a welcome treat to hunters. It's believed ... Continue reading ...