Scientists find fossil of rodent as big as a buffalo

[dgibson]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Washington-AP -- Imagine a giant rodent -- the size of a buffalo -- with continuously growing teeth.

Scientists who've been looking at a fossil discovered in South America say that's the kind of creature that lived (m) millions of years ago.

The 15-hundred-pound creature -- similar to a guinea pig -- lived on grasses in a swampy area. And it must have eaten a lot -- to support its huge size.

Goya -- as scientists are calling it -- had fur, a smooth head with small ears and eyes, and a large tail that enabled it to balance on two hind legs to watch for predators.

A scientists says Goya's closest living relative is probably a slow-moving rodent that lives in the tropical forest and can grow to 33 pounds.

The research appears in the journal Science.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>MY OPINION: Never knew a .338 Win Mag could qualify as a varmint rifle.

 

[Whiskers]

Goya -- as scientists are calling it -- had fur, a smooth head with small ears and eyes, and a large tail that enabled it to balance on two hind legs to watch for predators.

What kind of predator would a 1500lb rodent have to keep an eye out for. You wouldn't think something big enough to take on a 1500lb rat, could sneak up very quietly.

 

[danr55]

That's why it had small ears.... Nothing moved very quietly back then..

Can you imagine a 1500 pound Prairie Poodle or Whistle Pig? Zoowie.. What a red cloud that would generate....

 

[Elkhunter]

I just might could get into some of that predator hunting.