Buzz
An illustration showcasing the newly discovered giant rat, Uromys vika, a tree-dwelling species found in the Solomon Islands. Velizar Simeonovski/The Field MuseumFor centuries, the Solomon Islands have likely hosted a species of enormous tree-dwelling rats. However, these elusive creatures have remained hidden from researchers until now, either due to their rarity or their secretive nature.
While locals have long been aware of these massive rodents, a recent study in the Journal of Mammalogy details the discovery of the 2.2-pound (1-kilogram), 18-inch (46-centimeter) rat species in 2015. Researchers were able to locate it only after being tipped off by the inhabitants of Vangunu Island in the Solomons, located near Papua New Guinea. The islanders have folklore and children's songs about the creature, which they call "Vika," leading to its scientific name Uromys vika.
Researchers utilized the skull from a deceased specimen to distinguish U. vika from other species and confirm it as a unique creature.
Tyrone Lavery/The Field Museum"This is the first rat species identified in the Solomons in 80 years, and it wasn't for lack of effort — it was simply incredibly elusive," explained lead author Tyrone Lavery, a post-doctoral researcher at The Field Museum in Chicago, in a press statement.
Lavery had spent years searching for the vika, but the task was challenging due to its arboreal nature, requiring searches both on the ground and in the treetops. In 2012, he discovered an unusually large rat dropping that seemed promising. Later, coauthor Hikuna Judge, a ranger at the Zaira Resource Management Area on Vangunu, found a massive reddish-brown rat crushed by a fallen tree, matching the legendary description of the vika.
The vika likely feeds on fruits such as coconuts (gnawing holes into their shells) and nuts like ngali. Little else is known about this elusive animal, except that it is not only shy but also likely has an alarmingly small population. Lavery estimates there may be as few as 100 individuals remaining on Vangunu, with numbers likely declining. Despite its recent discovery, the rodent is expected to be classified as Critically Endangered due to the rapid deforestation of its island home.
For now, the scientists behind the vika's discovery are reveling in this remarkable achievement:
"Discovering a new mammal is exceptionally rare — only a few dozen new mammal species are identified each year," Lavery remarked.
Invasive rats can cause significant harm to island ecosystems. They often sneak onto ships and, upon reaching new islands, prey on bird eggs and dominate local food supplies.
