{
  "id": 18394078,
  "title": "Prehistoric ‘giant rat’ found in Thailand from fossil teeth",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/prehistoric-giant-rat-found-in-thailand-from-fossil-teeth-18394078",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-05T23:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Malay Mail",
    "slug": "malay-mail-malaymail",
    "url": "https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2026/11/06/prehistoric-giant-rat-found-in-thailand-from-fossil-teeth/242094"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In 2004, two fossilised teeth were discovered at a coal mine in southern Krabi province, Thailand, by geologist Pannipa Tian. Initially misidentified as a bone due to its large size, the teeth were later determined to belong to a previously unknown species of prehistoric rodent, weighing approximately 30 kilograms. The animal, described as a \"giant rat\", belonged to the extinct Ischyromyidae family and represents one of the largest known rodents from the Paleogene period, offering new insights into early rodent evolution. The discovery was published in the journal Scientific Reports and the species was named Yakamys sirindhornae in honor of Thailand's Princess Sirindhorn.",
  "summary": "BANGKOK, Nov 6 — A giant rodent weighing around 30 kilograms roamed what is now southern Thailand 33 to 35 million...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Khaosod English",
        "title": "30kg giant rat lived in Thailand 35 million years ago, fossils reveal",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/04/30kg-giant-rat-lived-in-thailand-35-million-years-ago-fossils-reveal",
        "published": "2026-11-04T12:46:24.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Phys.org",
        "title": "Prehistoric 'giant rat' found in Thailand from fossil teeth",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/prehistoric-giant-rat-found-in-thailand-from-fossil-teeth",
        "published": "2026-11-05T09:11:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Thailand fossil teeth reveal prehistoric 'giant rat' weighing 30kg",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/05/thailand-fossil-teeth-reveal-prehistoric-giant-rat-weighing-30kg",
        "published": "2026-11-05T14:21:58.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}