24 replies to this topic

[Still Waters]

news.ninemsn.com.au said:

Gambian pouched rats the size of cats have invaded Florida Keys two years after authorities believed they had wiped them out.

The rats, which are an African species and can weigh up to 4kg, first appeared in the Keys between 1999 and 2001 after a local exotic animal breeder released them into the wild.

Officials fear they will devastate crops if they make it to the mainland.

Read more...

[H.H. Holmes]

For many Floridians this should be a signal to fire up the grills, I heard Gambian Pouch Rats are delicious.

Edited by H.H. Holmes, 30 March 2012 - 03:52 PM.

[Simbi Laveau]

We have local rats that size ,in nyc.They would kick this bunches butt,no prob.

[None of the above]

They make great pets and are really cute and intellignent little fellas.
These giant punch rats are the ones trained to detect land mines in Mozambique and elsewhere.
http://edition.cnn.c...ines/index.html

Edited by Atlantia, 31 March 2012 - 10:46 AM.

[Alienated Being]

If I saw a rat that big, I am pretty sure I would have a heart attack.  

[None of the above]

LOL, my post was meant to read POUCH RATS. Not 'Punch rats'.

[pallidin]

Good link Atlantia, never knew they could be trained to sniff out land mines.

Edited by pallidin, 31 March 2012 - 01:20 PM.

[None of the above]

pallidin, on 31 March 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

Good link Atlantia, never knew they could be trained to sniff out land mines.

Thanks Pallidin.

They are super cute little chaps.

[Eldorado]

Atlantia, on 31 March 2012 - 02:13 PM, said:

Thanks Pallidin.

They are super cute little chaps.

Are they still cute looking after finding a land mine?

(joking)

[wingyflam]

what did they do when they found a mine. defuse it.

[wingyflam]

what did they do when they found a mine. defuse it.

[Abramelin]

Wow, they are big !

Those rats I mean.

[Darkwind]

Atlantia, on 31 March 2012 - 10:45 AM, said:

They make great pets and are really cute and intellignent little fellas.
These giant punch rats are the ones trained to detect land mines in Mozambique and elsewhere.
http://edition.cnn.c...ines/index.html

If they make such get pets then why do people turn them loose like the darn boas that are destroying the everglades. Too bad we didn't realized until too late we would have been better off keeping native animals as pets.  

[harleyblueswoman]

I guess it is true that beauty is in the eye of the beholder...cause those rats aint cute!!!!!!!!!!! uck!!  Florida seems to be the dumping ground for everything exotic....lord knows what they are going to find next!!

[Abramelin]

Darkwind, on 31 March 2012 - 07:36 PM, said:

If they make such get pets then why do people turn them loose like the darn boas that are destroying the everglades. Too bad we didn't realized until too late we would have been better off keeping native animals as pets.  

Well, I have seen a couple of sites and lots of pics. These critters look cute.

I had a tame (white) rat once. I can tell you: they are more loyal to you than any dog.

The damn thing is that they don't grow that old. Three years is about max.

I actually thought that these pouch rats would be great as pets: smart as any rat, curious, and loving creatures, and maybe living years beyond 3 years.

But some people buy a pet, get bored of it, or can't handle it, and then set it free in some forest or wetland or wherever.

Or it is done on purpose.. to add animals to the local fauna.