Rare Baby-Sized Rat Caught on Camera for the First Time

Indigenous people on the Solomon Islands' island of Vangunu have spoken about the existence of giant rats for years. The species, known widely as the Vangunu giant rat, was first identified in 2017 and is believed to grow to the size of a human baby and chew through coconuts with its teeth. But up until now, the rare rodent hasn't been captured on camera. 

Researchers from the University of Melbourne and Solomon Islands National University were able to snap photos of the Vangunu giant rat with some help from the local community. The sightings were published in the Ecology and Evolution journal and outline just how rare the animal is and how close to extinction it could be. 

"Capturing images of the Vangunu giant rat for the first time is extremely positive news for this poorly known species,” study lead author Dr. Tyrone Lavery from the University of Melbourne said. "This comes at a critical juncture for the future of Vangunu’s last forests—which the community of Zaira have been fighting to protect from logging for 16 years."

In 2022, the Solomon Islands government approved the land for logging, presenting an immediate threat to the animal's future. "The images show the Vangunu giant rat lives in Zaira’s primary forests, and these lands (particularly the Dokoso tribal area) represent the last remaining habitat for the species," Lavery said. "Logging consent has been granted at Zaira, and if it proceeds it will undoubtably lead to extinction of the Vangunu giant rat."

Scientists on the South Pacific island of Vangunu have taken pictures of a critically endangered, giant, coconut-eating rat for the first time. The Vangunu giant rat (Uromys vika or U. vika ) is at least twice the size of a common rat, lives in trees, and can reportedly???????? pic.twitter.com/w6bMo7cXsn

— Sumner (@renmusb1) November 29, 2023

Discovered in 2017, first photographed in 2023, extinct ca. 2028? Vangunu Giant Rat (Uromys vika). Why are we logging in Solomon Island forest reserves anyway?https://t.co/vX3iuayKk8 pic.twitter.com/kt9VG9uejx

— Wrath Of Gnon (@wrathofgnon) November 23, 2023

Why not leave the logging to the rodents with strong teeth?