Imagine a rodent that weighed a ton and was as big as a bull.




Illustration shows the head of the newly-found Josephoartigasia monesi, top, in comparison to a South American rodent known as a pakarana.
Uruguayan scientists say they have uncovered fossil evidence of the biggest species of rodent ever found, one that scurried across wooded areas of South America about four million years ago, when the continent was not connected to North America.
A herbivore, the beast may have been a contemporary, and possibly prey, of saber-toothed cats — a prehistoric version of Tom and Jerry.

Its huge skull, more than 20 inches long, suggested a beast more than eight feet long and weighing between 1,700 and 3,000 pounds.

Although British newspapers variously described it as a mouse or a rat, researchers say the animal, named Josephoartigasia monesi, actually was more closely related to a guinea pig or porcupine. "These are totally different from the rats and mice we're accustomed to," said Bruce Patterson, the curator of mammals at the Field Museum in Chicago, adding that it was the biggest rodent that he had ever heard of.

An artist's rendering showed a creature that looked like a cross between a hippopotamus and a guinea pig.

Dang Chris, you make me wish I had a rat or two around.Paint him white and I bet youll drill him. Sorry bud couldnt resist.I saw your shooting from that blind and I got a feeling your gonna bag one this year.  

" Imagine "
That is about all " scientists " can do !


Carl

thread some string through some dog food and tie it down.  That way they can't just grab and run-which they do after you shoot a few of them!
I trapped rats, shot em with a pistol and slung shafts-just get as many as you can-they make more!