‘Horned’ creature hiding in plain sight on sacred China mountain is new species
For the last eight years, scientists have scoured the same mountain in southern China, collecting dozens of horned toads for their research.
In 2023, based on the specimens they collected, they described a new toad species named Boulenophrys hengshanensis.
Now, researchers have discovered that among those specimens, initially thought to all be Boulenophrys hengshanensis, a second species was hidden in plain sight, according to a study published Sept. 19 in the journal Animals.
The new species, Boulenophrys gutu, is a moderate-sized toad from the forests of the sacred Mount Hengshan, at elevations between 820 feet and 3,600 feet, according to the study.
It inhabits moist environments and can be found around streams and at a “bush valley near the top of Mt. Hengshan,” researchers said.
The new species measures 1.7 inches long, has long “slender” limbs and fingers, smooth skin, and possesses “horn-like” tubercles or bumps on its eyelids, according to the study.
In life, Boulenophrys gutu is “grayish brown” with orange eyelids, “deep brown” banding, and small orange bumps along its head and back, the study said.
The new species’ scientific name refers to the “toad” on the moon often mentioned in ancient Chinese poetry and folklore, specifically Tian Wen by Qu Yuan.
“This species is named to commemorate the shared spirit of exploration of humankind,” researchers said.
“Further research on life history, distribution, and population size are recommended to support” the species’ conservation, researchers said.
The research team included Dai-Yong Kuang, Yi-Fu Wei, Yi-Sha Luo, Kang-Wen Pei, Ying-Yue Cao, Meng-Fei Zhang , Tai-Fu Huang, Ling Pu and Sheng-Chao Shi.
This story was originally published September 22, 2025 at 2:06 PM with the headline "‘Horned’ creature hiding in plain sight on sacred China mountain is new species."
