Is the new rodent discovered in Laos as adorable as it sounds?

  • Thread starter Thread starter arildno
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the discovery of a new rodent species in Laos, focusing on its perceived cuteness and the circumstances of its discovery. Participants express varying opinions on the animal's appearance and the implications of its classification.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants find the rodent to be cute, while others describe it as ugly.
  • There is a request for a photo of the rodent, with some expressing disappointment over the lack of visual documentation.
  • A participant comments on the irony of the rodent being classified as 'discovered' when it was found in a market and was already known locally.
  • Another participant humorously reflects on the scientists' experience of finding the rodent in a market, suggesting a sense of embarrassment.
  • One participant notes a general preference for most animals being cute, with a specific mention of slime eels as an exception.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the rodent's cuteness, with multiple competing views on its appearance and the nature of its discovery.

Contextual Notes

The discussion highlights the ambiguity surrounding the classification of the rodent and the cultural context of its discovery, which may influence perceptions of its cuteness.

arildno
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
Gold Member
Dearly Missed
Messages
10,135
Reaction score
138
This one is a cutie, even if the scientists are a bit unsure in how to classify it:
http://www.cnn.com/2005/TECH/science/05/12/new.species.ap/index.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Biology news on Phys.org
Looks pretty ugly. Is there a photo?
 
I thought it was kinda cute, yes a color photo would be much better.
 
yomamma said:
Looks pretty ugly. Is there a photo?
There doesn't seem to be, and I wouldn't count on one until they find a live specimen.

Imagine the immasculation those scientists must have felt, not knowing anything of this animal, then finding some booth in Laos selling a dead one, presumably to be eaten...
 
Its a funny definition of 'discovered' they have there, being that it was 'found' in a market, and well known enough locally to have a name.
 
yomamma said:
Looks pretty ugly. Is there a photo?
Apart from slime eels, I find most animals cute.
 

Similar threads

Medical FDA antidepressant warnings of suicide risk among kids may have the opposite effect
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
New Way to control Prosthetic Limbs
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
Meteorite from El Ali, Hiiraan, Somalia (2020) 9th largest - 15 tonne
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Is T. Rex Related to Chickens?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
What Did Neandertals Sound Like?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Messenger RNA (mRNA) - not just for Coronavirus vaccines
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Do Plants Override Genetic Laws to Fix Flaws?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Are Bush's slime mold beetles named after political figures?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Undergrad SpaceX says 5G expansion would make Starlink 'unusable' for most Americans
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
New whale species may have been found
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K