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The fossil remains of a gigantic rodent that looked something like a monster guinea pig have been identified by scientists in Venezuela... The 700-kilogram beast - about the size of a buffalo - lived among the reeds and grasses of an ancient river system that threaded its way into the Caribbean Sea eight million years ago.
The giant rodent discovered by the BBC is a capybara, which is the largest living rodent species in the world.
The giant rodent was found in a remote area of the Amazon rainforest in Brazil.
The giant rodent measures about 4 feet (1.2 meters) in length and can weigh up to 140 pounds (63 kilograms).
This giant rodent is astonishing to science because it was previously thought to only exist in certain parts of South America, but its discovery in the Amazon rainforest expands its known habitat.
The discovery of this giant rodent provides valuable insights into the behavior and ecology of capybaras, and also highlights the importance of protecting and preserving the biodiversity of the Amazon rainforest.