Amphibious rodents and more: dozens of new species discovered in Peru (photos).

In Peru, there were not only bloody cults, but also unique species of animals were developing. Back in 2022, researchers ventured into the jungles of the Alto Mayo region. Although the area has experienced human impact, scientists managed to discover dozens of new species of living creatures.

NYT writes about the expedition's findings. The climbing salamander, butterfly, and squirrel are just a few examples of the new species identified. However, what stunned the scientists the most was the floating mouse with webbed feet. These rodents belong to one of the rarest groups of mammals in the world.

In total, researchers discovered 27 new species in Alto Mayo, including four mammals, eight fish, three amphibians, and ten butterflies. The team also identified dozens of rare and endangered species, some of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Among other discoveries was a new species of swamp eel that can survive for extended periods on land and a soft-nosed armored catfish.

During the expedition in Alto Mayo, the team identified over 2000 species, 49 of which are considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Previously, "Telegraph" reported that a unique 12 million-year-old crocodile fossil was found in Peru. In Majorca, the oldest known relative of mammals was excavated, with similar finds previously only recorded in Russia and Africa.