In the shadows of the world’s highest mountain lies a hotspot of biodiversity with species of plants and animals that are rarely known and do not appear anywhere else on Earth.
 |
The extremely dangerous giant honeybee, locally known as the “Tibetan yak killer.” (Photo: Livescience) |
Scientists from Conservation International and Disney’s Animal Kingdom recently conducted a two-month scientific expedition across six regions of the “Sacred Land” of Tibet in the southwestern mountain areas of China and Nepal.
So far, they have reported the discovery of a “new paradise” rich in unusual plant and animal species.
“The fact that we found so many new species in such a harsh environment, as well as documenting a few rare and endangered species, is good news for both regions,” said Leeanne Alonso, the expedition leader.
Here are some of the species discovered:
– The extremely dangerous giant honeybee, locally referred to as the “Tibetan yak killer.”
– The “Yeti” jumping mouse.
– A new species of grasshopper where the male carries the female on its back.
– A golden monkey with a blue face – the largest primate in the area.
– A type of vole that eats its own feces.
– Two new frog species, eight new insect species, and ten new ant species.
T. An
