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Nature & Environment

Giant cat-sized rats invade Florida Keys

By T.K. Randall
March 31, 2012 · Comment icon 24 comments

Image Credit: US FWS
Authorities have been alerted of a new invasion of giant Gambian puched rats in the Florida Keys.
Originating in Africa and brought to the United States by exotic pet keepers, the huge rats weigh up to 4kg and first appeared in the area 10 years ago when a breeder released them in to the wild. Now with their numbers on the rise the rats have the potential to devastate crops if they ever make it to the mainland, to combat the threat authorities have been setting up traps to try to bring their population under control.
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.


Source: ninemsn.com.au | Comments (24)

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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #15 Posted by Abramelin 12 years ago
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!! The reason you think they do not look cute is because of the horror stories you have been told or read. Brown rats spread diseases that kill many people, but so do we humans. +++ EDIT: I also like corvids, more than I like rats. Also a species hated by many because of them being a socalled pest. There is only one pest on this planet, and that is us humans. .
Comment icon #16 Posted by CRIPTIC CHAMELEON 12 years ago
Its a pity some people just don't think before they release an animal into the local flora & fauna what effect it has.
Comment icon #17 Posted by Fergus 12 years ago
I have had pet rats multiple times in my life, they make an amazing pet and love attention and love to play. As far as the "facts" that they spread disease, sure the ones that live in filth and sewers do, you try to live in that environment and see how healthy you are! All my pet rats have been meticulous cleaners and clean themselves daily, they don't like living in filth but they are able to survive in that environment if necessary. It does suck they only live 2-3 years and they usually die from tumors though. That aside, they are amazing creatures who are very loyal.
Comment icon #18 Posted by Knight Of Shadows 12 years ago
my god if there's any animal i really hate it'll be rats
Comment icon #19 Posted by spud the mackem 12 years ago
I read in science magazine that no matter where you go or what country you are in there is a rat or rats within 20 yards of you...most of them in civilised countries are in the sewers ,and if you've ever been to a granary you wouldnt eat no more bread and thats a fact..and have you ever thought of what goes into a water reservoir ? bird /animal /fish poo etc but of course its all cleaned before you get it, I think !!
Comment icon #20 Posted by Atlantia 12 years ago
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. Why do stupid people do stupid things? Same reason people ask stupid questions
Comment icon #21 Posted by Sundew 12 years ago
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. In many cases it is illegal to keep native animals as pets, though in the case of common species that seems pretty dumb. For example, if you wanted to keep a Cardinal species as a caged bird you would have to keep the exotic Brazilian Cardinal rather than our native Red Cardinal. In so doing there is always the potential risk of it escaping and establishing a population as it ... [More]
Comment icon #22 Posted by DieChecker 12 years ago
I also like corvids, more than I like rats. Also a species hated by many because of them being a socalled pest. There is only one pest on this planet, and that is us humans. Tell that to the crow that stole 3 hot dogs right out of my hand/bun the last time I went camping. Pests, but entertaining most of the time too.
Comment icon #23 Posted by Ramona Logan 12 years ago
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. A friend of mine s... [More]
Comment icon #24 Posted by minera 12 years ago
I saw in the news back in the 1980's about mice in Australia. They were everywhere and came pouring out of cupboards and such like water. They were not native to Australia and had no natural predators. Imagine the same with cat sized rats! It would be like someones worst nightmare!If they are not indiginous to the area those who import them should be held accountable.
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