Did you know there’s a rat poisonous enough to kill an elephant? Lophiomys imhausi, also known as the crested rat, the maned rat, and the African crested rat, is a deadly rarity says Aoife Glass. The crested rat is the only known poisonous rodent, and the only known mammal to sequester plant toxins for use as […]
Tag: rats
Bill to ban hare coursing overwhelmingly defeated by 125 votes to 24
A Bill to ban hare coursing was overwhelmingly defeated in the Dáil by 125 votes to 24 as all Fianna Fáil TDs voted in line with the party whip, including those who personally supported the legislation. Sinn Féin also opposed the Bill during the vote on Wednesday night, making its rejection inevitable. The legislation was introduced by People Before Profit […]
“It can chew through coconuts with its razor-sharp teeth.” 6 weirdest rats in the world, including one deadly enough to kill an elephant…
The rat world is full of surprises – with some that contains enough poison to kill an elephant and others that can remain fertile for 30 years. From coconut-cracking rats in the Solomon Islands to rats with surprisingly long pubic hair in Indonesia, these are some of the weirdest – and most interesting – rats in the world. The weirdest […]
The world’s deadliest rat that’s poisonous enough to kill an elephant, a mouse that hunts venomous scorpions – The 9 weirdest rodents on the planet
Some rodents are enormous – like the cat-sized Indian giant squirrel – while others have impressive adaptations, from star-shaped tentacled noses to webbed feet. One even holds the title for the most mating sessions in the animal kingdom. Whether they fly, swim or even defy ageing itself, these unusual rodents are anything but ordinary. Weirdest rodents […]
Do worms feel pain and are ants happy? Why the science on invertebrate feelings is evolving
Does a worm feel pain if it gets trodden on? Does a fly ache when its wings are pulled off? Is an ant happy when it finds a food source? If so, they may be sentient beings, which means they can “feel”, a bit or a lot, like we do. Invertebrate sentience is becoming an […]
Giant Rats: Sniffing Out Wildlife Crime | Wild Targets
MOROGORO, Tanzania – Rats have long been misunderstood, often seen as pests rather than pals. However, the African giant pouched rat, the largest in the world, possesses special qualities that have caught the attention of a group of scientists in Tanzania. These experts believe rats can be crime-fighting allies against wildlife trafficking. This innovative approach […]
Ferrero and Agropur Commit to Ending Cruel Animal Testing
In a landmark decision for animal welfare, two major corporations, Ferrero International and Agropur Cooperative, have pledged to end their involvement in harmful animal testing. This change comes after discussions with PETA, which advocates for cruelty-free practices in the food and beverage industry. Ferrero, known for iconic brands like Nutella and Tic Tac, and Agropur, […]
Tradition and Controversy at Nepal’s Gadhimai Festival With Water Buffalo, Rats, and Pigeons Sacrificed
In the small town of Bariyarpur, Nepal, a unique and deeply controversial festival takes place every five years. Known as the Gadhimai festival, it involves the mass sacrifice of animals in honor of the Hindu goddess Gadhimai, a ritual believed to bring prosperity and protection to her devotees. However, this tradition has become a flashpoint […]