That Mars Rodent–What’s the Real Scoop

We’ve hesitated to post about the recent ‘Mars Rodent’ photo from the Curiosity Rover, largely because a place with such a thin atmosphere, no food sources and extremely cold temperatures is just darned unlikely to have mice. However, the image has proved to be a very odd one. First, it’s large, at least three feet long, so ‘rodent’ might not be quite the right word to describe it. ‘Large lizard’ or ‘small dinosaur’ might be more appropriate. Still, no animal developed to that level of complexity is going to be running around in an environment like Mars. Also, though, the likelihood of a form this complex appearing at random in a rock field without the slightest sign of any similar erosion simply isn’t that great. So the ‘Mars rodent,’ like the ‘Mars figure’ of a few years ago, must remain a mystery.

Alien practical jokers…or maybe a little funnin’ compliments of the Rover Team? If so, not a bad prank, that’s for sure…