What’s in a name? The emperor newt’s moniker comes from the Mandarin words "shan" (mountain) and "jing" (spirit or demon). This highly toxic amphibian lives only in the mountains along a handful of rivers in western China. During the breeding season, they live in water fields, like rice paddies, ponds or humid grasslands. | Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

Our striking young emperor spotted newts (Neurergus kaiseri) grew up while our doors were closed, but now, freshly metamorphosed, they're on view in the aquarium & thriving on a terrestrial diet of fruit flies & pinhead crickets. Accroding to biologist Spencer R., they're "incredibly skittish and elusive creatures, but very active feeders." 😋 #AmphibianWeek | California Academy of Sciences