ETSU Professor Discovers Prehistoric Kangaroo Rat

An ETSU scientist discovers a new species of kangaroo rat in Oregon. Dr. Joshua Samuels with the ETSU Department of Geosciences is credited with leading the study that found the kangaroo rat at a fossil site in Oregon. Aurimys Xeros, which means ear mouse from dry habitats is said to be about 23 million years old and is the oldest know kangaroo rat. Modern species can get as big as 12 inches long. But, the prehistoric rat appears to have been one third larger.