A-Z Index
New Mammal Discovered
Saturday, February 02, 2008
The strange creature was first spotted in 2005 but has only now been confirmed as a previously unknown species of giant sengi - an elephant shrew. It's been given the scientific name of Rhynochocyon udzungwensis.
The new sengi is about 12 inches (30cm) long and looks like a cross between an antelope and an anteater. Only much smaller.
The new animal was originally spotted by Francesco Rovero, from the Trento Museum of Natural Sciences in Italy. He caught it on film in Ndundulu Forest, part of Tanzania's Udzungwa Mountains. The creature looked so strange that he went back in 2006 to collect samples. An international team has now confirmed that it is indeed a new species.
The Udzungwa Mountains are described as a biodiversity "hotspot" that could house other undiscovered creatures.
Labels: cryptozoology
Strange Rat-Like Creatures Invade Mizoram
Friday, May 26, 2006
There are reports from India of a large, ratlike creature that is stalking homes and vegetation and causing worries about a possible famine.
The creatures have been seen in the north-eastern Indian state of Mizoram. Although they like like large rats their exact nature is unclear. According to government agricultural scientist James Lalsianliana:
"We are not sure if the big rats are actually rats or some unknown species."
The strange creatures have fuelled the fears of many, including Agriculture minister H Rammawi who said:
"Sighting of such weird rat-like animals of the size of a cat is a bad omen and signals the outbreak of a famine"
It's been suggested that the creatures might be the result of bamboo flowering. Bamboo doesn't normally flower. When it does bloom it increases the fertility of rats, which multiply and go beserk eating anything they can find.
Technorati tags: strange weird cryptozoology
Labels: cryptozoology
New Cricket Genus Discovered
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Researchers in Arizona have discovered not just a new species but an entire new genus of cave cricket.
The amazing discovery took place in the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument in northwestern Arizona. It is credited to J. Judson "Jut" Wynne and Kyle Voyles. Whereas most crickets have non-clasping cerci, the new genus - which has yet to be named - has cerci of the clasping variety.
As well as the new cricket genus, the research has also identified a new species of barklouse. Further discoveries are expected to follow.
Wynne, a Northern Arizona University graduate student, is also working on a project to help identify caves on Mars that can then be searched for signs of life.
Technorati tags: cryptozoology
Labels: cryptozoology
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