Around 5 million years ago, the world’s largest rat was found in the eastern Timor region of Southeast Asia. This giant rat weighed approximately 13.2 pounds (6 kilograms), which is heavier than an average pet cat.
The skeletal remains of this giant rat were discovered in a cave in Eastern Timor, alongside 13 other rat species, 11 of which were entirely new to scientists. Using carbon dating, the fossils were estimated to be around 44,000 years old, with the rat population living in the area around 5 million years ago.
Scientists believe that agricultural activities by humans led to the extinction of many of these rats, as humans would catch and eat them. Evidence of burning marks on almost all of the remains supports this theory.
Some scientists speculate that one or two generations of these large rats may still survive on the island. Other notable large rat species found in different parts of the world include:
- Vangunu Giant Rat: A rare and critically endangered rat found only on Vangunu Island in the Solomon Islands.
- Bushy-tailed Wood Rat: Found in parts of Western North America and Canada.
- Gambian Pouched Rat: The world’s largest rat in terms of length, with a body size of 43 cm and a tail length of 45 to 88 cm.
- Sumatran Bamboo Rat: A rat with a body length of 50 cm and weighs 3.9 kg.
