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( CNN) After years of search, researchers have confirmed the discovery a new mammal in the Solomon Islands: an threatened giant tree rat known as “vika” by the locals. But they were only able to situate one.

DTAG 1 TTThe rare animal lookings more like a cute cross between a squirrel and a possum than a large rat. Local rumors describe it as a tree-dwelling creature that are capable of cracking coconuts open with its two front teeth. DTAG 2 TTA new survey released in the Journal of Mammology on Wednesday includes details and images of the lone vika that researchers were able to observe on Vangunu Island.DTAG 3 TTDTAG 4 TTDTAG 5 TTDTAG 6 TTDTAG 7 TTDTAG 8 TTDTAG 9 TT