Scientists have found a rat with a pig nose and a very long pubic hair

In the north of the island of Sulawesi (Indonesia) zoologists have discovered a new type of rostellar rats differ unusual appearance. About predatory rodent with a narrow mouth, nose like a pig nose, and very long hair to the urogenital area, described in the journal Journal of Mammalogy, and briefly reported on the opening of publication Mashable.

Animals found in a trap set on Mount Dako in 2013. Big nose, elongated hind legs and an unusually long hairs immediately indicated Theriology Kevin Rowe (Kevin Rowe) that before him - unknown to science species. Creature weighs about 250 grams, and its length from nose to tail reaches 45 centimeters.

Similar pubic hair found in some Australian marsupial rat (eg, potoru). Scientists do not know what is the function of a particular anatomy. "Probably, the hair somewhat assisted reproduction. They are both males and females, such as long, as the whiskers. They do not look like pubic hair man "- said Rowe.

In addition, a new type of rodents Hyorhinomys stuempkei are extremely narrow mouth opening: they do not have some of the jaw bones, which help other mammals chew food. Rather, they swallow their prey (worms and insect larvae) in its entirety.

Unlike most rodents, the front teeth are painted in brown and slightly angular cutters Hyorhinomys stuempkei - white and pointed, adapted to prokusyvaniyu production.

Rowe is involved in a major research project to study the diversity of mammals Wallace (biogeographic region, includes a group of islands separated by deep straits of the Asian and Australian continental shelves) and Australia. In Sulawesi, scientists have discovered many new species of rodents, including almost devoid of rat teeth and "amphibious" rat.