For decades, hunters in New Guinea told tales of a large, shaggy rat. This rat, known as Mallomys istapantap, was said to be the size of a house cat. Scientists had never confirmed its existence until recently.
An expedition spent six months in the challenging terrain of New Guinea. The team set up cameras between 10,500 and 12,140 feet. These cameras captured the first wild photographs and videos of the subalpine woolly rat.
The images revealed the rat padding along mossy logs at night. The team also found claw marks on trees and burrow entrances. This confirmed the legend was indeed real.
The rat stretches 33 inches from nose to tail and weighs about 4.4 pounds. It has a dense pelt for warmth and large paws for navigating soft ground. The rat's diet consists of leaves, seeds, and forest fruits.
The expedition relied on both technology and local knowledge. Indigenous hunters helped locate the animals. Their joint efforts documented 61 non-flying mammal species.
The discovery highlights how much is still unknown about alpine tropics. The new images provide a face for conservation campaigns. They remind us of the undiscovered wonders in these regions.