Gallery: New Long-Snouted Rat Without Back Teeth

Molarless Rat

Newly discovered molarless rat. — (Image credit: © Kevin Rowe)

A newly discovered rat, announced Aug. 21 in the journal Biology Letters, lacks back teeth.

New Rat

Molarless rat species — (Image credit: © Kevin Rowe)

The rat lives in the Philippines and is the only known rodent species without molars.

New Rat Skull

Molarless rat skull — (Image credit: © David Paul.)

This view of the rat's skull reveals its lack of teeth.

Rat Teeth

Molarless rat teeth — (Image credit: © David Paul.)

In addition, the rat has double-pointed bicuspid incisors, which it may use to tear its earthworm prey.