This week, biologist James Kempton shares the news that he and a research team have rediscovered a thought-extinct mammal species, reports CNN.
Kempton and his team have discovered “Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna” during an expedition in Indonesia.
It is the first time the animal has been seen in 62 years.
– Euphoria
In Norwegian, the four-legged crab goes by the name maurpiggsvin, and together with the platypus, are the only mammals that lay eggs.
Scientists: – They are real!
Kempton and his team captured images of the anteater on a camera in the rainforest of the Cyclops Mountains in Indonesia. They are ecstatic about the discovery, report The Guardian.
– I got a feeling of euphoria, and a great relief. We have spent so long in the field without reward until now, says Kempton to The Guardian.
He reveals that the porcupine was photographed by a trail camera on the last day of a four-week expedition led by researchers from Oxford University in June and July.
– I shouted out to my colleagues who were still left. “We found it, we found it.” I ran from my desk to the living room and hugged everyone, says Kempton.
Non Stop – A backpacker is camping in the forest in Alaska and wakes up to a tent full of spiders Show more
“Attenborough’s long-beaked echidna” is named after British Sir David Attenborough, who has made a number of nature documentary series, such as Planet Earth and The Blue Planet.
The animal has been named because of his work in showcasing Papa New Guinea’s nature to the public.
ICON: Sir David Attenborough’s voice is probably among the most famous in the world. He has had the role of narrator in nature documentaries for several decades. Photo: Silverback Films / BBC / Discovery via AP / NTB Show more
200 million years old
– The reason the animal is so different from other mammals is because it is a member of the monotremes, a very old species that dates back to when mammals first began to exist.
Kempton says that it is believed that the anteater first appeared around 200 million years ago. Back then, the dinosaurs ruled our planet.
Made a horrible discovery: – Damn
Porcupines and platypuses are referred to as sewage animals by Large Norwegian encyclopedia.
Kempton’s team also discovered new insects and frog species during the expedition. Now they hope that the anteater and the rainforest in the Cyclops mountains will be protected in the future.
2023-11-11 12:50:44
#years
