Although recent studies and researches mainly focus on lost or endangered species, it seems that nature still keeps secrets from us, as new species are still waiting to be discovered!

For example, until about seven months ago Indonesia’s Papua province hided two mammals that researchers believe to be new to science. A conservationist and a zoologist discovered the two new mammals during an expedition involving American and Indonesian scientists in Papua’s Foja Mountains.

Only two years ago, the same team had discovered dozens of other new animals and plants on their first trip to the region. This time, however, the team discovered two very funny, cartoon hero-like mammals: a pygmy possum and a giant rat.

The Foja Mountains represents the largest unroaded tropical forest in the Asia-Pacific region. Part of the great Mamberamo Basin, this region has been previously described as a “Lost World”, because of its deep isolation. "Very few scientists have entered the area because of extremely difficult access. The likelihood of finding more new species is very high," said Martua Sinaga, a zoologist from the Indonesian Institute of Sciences.

Sinaga took part in both expeditions, although such scientific explorations do not represent quite a high priority for his country's government, because of funding constraints. The two-week expedition from June was part of a project initiated by the United States-based Conservation International and the popular CBS television to film the region and its wildlife. The giant rat scientists discovered in June is 1.4 kg and it was called Mallomys.

The pygmy possum they also found during the trip is believed to be one of the world’s smallest marsupials. Indonesia’s “Lost World” is likely to hide many more similar secrets.