Watch a clip of the Emei Toad Courtship dance from NatGeo's special The Hidden Kingdoms of China. While the program originally aired over the weekend on February 22, an extended version premieres in March on Nat Geo WILD, spanning across five nights. The show looks to put a spotlight on China's landscapes and animals, depicting them in ways that haven't been seen before. For those who missed the special's initial run, but are interested in catching the longer version, there's a new clip that gives viewers an idea of what they can expect while watching.
Released as an exclusive to Screen Rant, NatGeo shared the following clip of the Emei Toad Courtship dance. In the footage, a male toad exudes dominance over a rival for his territory, impressing a female watching from afar. The male and female then participate in the dance, with the male trying to convince the female to lay her eggs close to where other eggs are. Watch it for yourself in the space below:
With this marking the first time the courtship dance has been filmed in the wild, this is a fascinating look at animal behavior that's sure to be of interest for those curious about the full documentary. The clip merely scratches the surface of what the program has to offer, giving viewers a glimpse into one corner of China's animal kingdom. It shows NatGeo was willing to go the extra mile and provide audiences with exciting content to make The Hidden Kingdoms of China a worthwhile watch.
The Hidden Kingdoms of China's synopsis reads as follows: China is one of the biggest countries, home to one of the seven wonders of the world, but it’s surprising how little is known about its landscapes and animals, until now. The special transports viewers throughout the country’s high mountains, tropical jungles, bamboo forests, great plains and temperate forests — to introduce viewers to its national cast of characters, including the giant panda, snub-nosed monkey, Tibetan fox, snow leopard and a kaleidoscope of jungle creatures.
Nat Geo was given unparalleled access for this special to venture into China’s most remote, wildest realms to capture the real-life drama of these animals and reveal never-before-seen behaviors.
The Hidden Kingdoms of China extended version premieres on Nat Geo WILD on March 23. It's worth mentioning Michelle Yeoh, who narrates the above clip, does not narrate the extended edition.