Mysterious Red Carnivore Found in Borneo Forest

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the discovery of a mysterious red furry creature in the forests of Borneo, which may potentially be a new species of carnivore. Participants explore its physical characteristics and classifications, as well as the implications of its discovery.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the creature's features, such as its dark red fur and bushy tail, indicate it could be a new species of carnivore.
  • Others humorously propose that the creature resembles a mythical creature, specifically referencing "El Chupacabra."
  • One participant argues that the creature looks more like a lemur than a carnivore.
  • Another mentions the possibility of it being a "tribdog," indicating a potential classification issue.
  • Some participants express excitement about the possibility of discovering a new mammalian species, while noting that the classification remains uncertain.
  • A later reply highlights that the creature may or may not be a new mammal, emphasizing the ambiguity surrounding its classification.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the classification of the creature, with multiple competing views and interpretations presented throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the creature's classification, with participants relying on visual observations and speculative comparisons without definitive conclusions.

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A mysterious red furry creature, captured on film in the dense forests of Borneo, could be a new species of carnivore.

The mammal, which is slightly larger than a domestic cat, has dark red fur and a long, bushy tail. It was snapped twice at night by a camera trap set up by researchers from the conservation group WWF.

Its general shape – with a possibly pointed snout, small ears, and large powerful hind legs – suggests it is a meat-eater. It has some similarities with martens or civets and could belong to these groups, or it may belong to an entirely new group, says WWF.[continued with photo]
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn8419
 
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AAAAIIIIIEEEEE! Dios Mio! Es El CHUPACABRA!
 
Actually, it really looks like a lemur.
 
So we've discovered another tribdog
 
Oh, no wonder nobody's replying to the thread in biology on this topic. You're already discussing it over here! It will be really exciting if it really is a newly discovered mammalian species.