<![CDATA[io9: South America]]> http://cache.io9.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/io9.com.png <![CDATA[io9: South America]]> http://io9.com/tag/south america http://io9.com/tag/south america <![CDATA[The ancestor of all American rodents really came from Africa]]> Paleontologists recently discovered rodent teeth in Peru dating back over 41 million years, making them the oldest evidence of rodents in the Americas. But despite its location, this rodent was far more closely related to today's African, not American, rodents. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5850577&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Say hello to one of the world's most mysterious animals]]> This is one of the few photos ever taken of the giant armadillo, a five feet long behemoth that lives a nocturnal, solitary life in isolated wetlands of central Brazil. You can probably see why these things are so rare. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5843979&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Llama poop was the secret to the success of the Inca civilization]]> The most powerful civilization in South America before the arrival of Europeans was the mighty Inca empire, which ruled much of the continent's Pacific coast from their home in the Peru highlands. And it's all thanks to copious llama crap. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5804334&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[Wolf spiders are the first known species where the male cannibalizes the female]]> Several kinds of female animals, including spiders, are known to devour their male counterparts, often right after they finish having sex. But every so often, the female isn't deadlier than the male, as South America's wolf spider will tell you. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5791687&view=rss&microfeed=true <![CDATA[The Ants that Destroyed the World]]> The apocalypse may begin with swarming ants. New, deadlier species keep popping up: Researchers at University of Texas recently discovered a new ant species in the Amazon, which they named Martialis Huereka, or “the ant from Mars.” It's a predator that feeds on termite larvae. Sure, the wee dude appears benign for the time being, but we’re on to him: His evil progenitors have long demonstrated an appetite for destruction, as documented by some of weirdest ant monster movies of all time. More »
]]> http://io9.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5051744&view=rss&microfeed=true