Discovering Mysteries S3-E3: Hainan Knobby Newt

By Nicki Johnson / HICN / Updated: 17:45,15-August-2022

The latest episode of Discovering Mysteries Season 3 takes you on a journey deep into the rainforest to watch the mating dance of the Hainan Knobby Newt.

Living at high altitudes in the Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park, this species of newt has a large, broad head and two rows of knobs running down its back. If not for the orange coloration on its toes and the edge of its tail, this otherwise drab creature would be nearly invisible.

Hainan Knobby Newt

However, for the Hainan Knobby Newt, looks aren’t everything when it comes time to find a mate. It’s all about the dance moves instead! A male and female Knobby Newt, one dark and one light, circle clockwise, their heads gently touching. Their slow dance resembles the yin-yang symbol. During Knobby Newt mating season, this scene plays out every day.

The mating dance of the Hainan Knobby Newt

If conditions are suitable for mating, the entire rainforest pool will soon be full of eggs that look just like the tapioca pearls in Boba Tea. The developing embryos wriggle and somersault, developing the strength they’ll need to break out of their eggs. In fact, mature Hainan Knobby Newts are rarely seen in the open, while these temporary ponds continue to teem with life.

The developing embryo wriggles and somersaults inside the egg.

Season 3 of Discovering Mysteries will have a total of 16 episodes, one per week. Stay tuned to delve deep into more incredible lives of the plants and animals in the rainforest of Hainan.

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