'Pinocchio' Tree Frog, the World's Smallest Kangaroo, a Giant Wooly Rat and Other New Species Identified

Conservation International leads an expedition into the remote Foja Mountains, and finds a treasure-trove of wildlife in the "Lost World." New species of birds, frogs, animals and other wildlife have been documented for the first time.

Also see these 11 recently extinct species.

By Gloria Dawson and Dan Shapley

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The "Lost World" has been found, and Conservation International has identified a stunning array of creatures there, including several species never before documented by science. Among the discoveries in the Foja Mountains on the island of New Guinea was the so-called Pinocchio frog pictured here. "The frog, which was observed to have a long, Pinocchio-like protuberance on its nose that points upwards when the male is calling but deflates and points downwards when he is less active, represents a particularly distinctive find that scientists are interested in documenting and studying further. Its discovery was a happy accident, after herpetologist Paul Oliver spotted it sitting on a bag of rice in the campsite," according to Conservation International.

To learn more or view more images, see the June National Geographic, or go to ngm.com/foja.

Crytodactylus Gecko

Conservation international, national geographic, gecko, new species gecko new species Funded by the National Geographic Society, the Smithsonian Institution and Indonesian Institute of Sciences, the rapid assessment involved teams of field biologists enduring torrential rain storms and life-threatening flash floods as they tracked species from the low foothills at Kwerba village to the top of the range at 7,200 feet, reporting notable discoveries that included this striking gecko.

Blossom Bat

conservation international, national geographic, new species, blosom bat blossom bat new species This blossom bat, newly discovered in New Guinea's remote Foja Mountains, feeds on rainforest nectar.

Imperial Pigeon

conservation international, national geographic, new species, imperial pigeon imperial pigeon new species "Perhaps the biggest surprise of the expedition came when ornithologist Neville Kemp spotted a pair of new imperial pigeons with feathers that appear rusty, whitish, and gray," according to Conservation International's description of the rapid assessment in New Guinea's Foja Mountains. "This novel imperial pigeon was seen no fewer than four times by scientists, yet overlooked on previous surveys, which could indicate a very low population."

Dorcopsulus Wallaby

conservation international, national geographic, new species, wallaby wallaby new species This tiny forest wallaby, newly discovered in New Guinea's Foja Mountains, is the world's smallest member of the kangaroo family, according to Conservation International.

Black and White Butterfly

conservation international, national geographic, black and white butterfly, new species butterfly new species It's not a black-and-white photograph. Related to the common Monarch, this black and white butterfly (Ideopsis fojana) is no less striking for lacking color.

Pogonomys Tree-Mouse

tree mouse, national geographic, new species tree mouse new species This tiny tree-mouse, found by Kristofer Helgen of the Smithsonian Institution during Conservation International's rapid assessment in the Foja Mountains, may be new to science.

Giant Wooly Rat

conservation international, national geographic, giant wooly rat, new species woolly giant rat new species Yes, it's a giant rat. But this newly discovered Mallomys rat is not only oversized, but "notably tame," according to Conservation International, which led the expedition of discovery in New Guinea's Foja Mountains.