Uromys vika facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Uromys vika |
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| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Uromys
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| Species: |
vika
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The Uromys vika, also known as the Vangunu giant rat, is a very large rat. Locals call it the vika. This amazing animal lives in trees. It is a type of rodent in the family Muridae.
Scientists discovered this rat on Vangunu island in the Solomon Islands in 2015. People had heard stories about a giant rat for many years. After a long search, the rat was finally found. Scientists confirmed it was a new species in 2017. They studied its skull, skeleton, and DNA to be sure.
How the Vangunu Giant Rat Was Found
In November 2015, a wildlife ranger named Hikuna Judge made an important discovery. He was near the Zaira Conservation Area. He saw a very large rat fall from a tall tree. The tree was about 10 meters (33 feet) high. Loggers had cut down the tree. Sadly, the fall killed the rat.
The ranger sent the rat to the Queensland Museum in Australia. There, a scientist named Tyrone Lavery studied it. Tyrone Lavery and Hikuna Judge then wrote a scientific paper. They officially described the new species in 2017.
Where the Vangunu Giant Rat Lives
The Vangunu giant rat lives on Vangunu Island. The rat that was found fell from a tree near the village of Zaira.
This species is likely to be called critically endangered. This means it is at very high risk of disappearing forever. There is only a small amount of forest left on the island for these rats. This forest area is about 80 square kilometers (31 square miles). Also, logging is still happening. This removes more of their home.
