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camwynGiant rodent astonishes science
By Jonathan Amos
BBC News Online science staff
The fossil remains of a gigantic rodent that looked something like a monster guinea pig have been identified by scientists in Venezuela.
The 700-kilogram beast - about the size of a buffalo - lived among the reeds and grasses of an ancient river system that threaded its way into the Caribbean Sea eight million years ago.
Researchers think the creature, which was 10 times as big as today's largest rodents, could have run in huge packs.
Evidence suggests it also had to dodge the constant attentions of super-sized crocodiles and carnivorous birds, which stood three metres tall. . .
They're calling it Guinea-zilla. No, I am not kidding.
By Jonathan Amos
BBC News Online science staff
The fossil remains of a gigantic rodent that looked something like a monster guinea pig have been identified by scientists in Venezuela.
The 700-kilogram beast - about the size of a buffalo - lived among the reeds and grasses of an ancient river system that threaded its way into the Caribbean Sea eight million years ago.
Researchers think the creature, which was 10 times as big as today's largest rodents, could have run in huge packs.
Evidence suggests it also had to dodge the constant attentions of super-sized crocodiles and carnivorous birds, which stood three metres tall. . .
They're calling it Guinea-zilla. No, I am not kidding.
