Planet Zoo

The Danube crested newt (or Triturus dobrogicus) is an amphibian species living in the slow-flowing waters, tributaries and surrounding woodlands of the Danube River. Sides and back of the newts are covered in black and brown skin with white and black mottling, while their belly and throat are coloured bright red and orange with dark patterns. As with all crested newts, the species expresses sexual dimorphism where males have a distinctive spiked crest running down the length of their spine during breeding season.

The Nile lechwe (or Kobus megaceros) is a species of ungulate native to the marshes and swamps of South Sudan and Ethiopia. They exhibit a high level of sexual dimorphism: male Nile lechwes are larger than females, with a length of 1.6m to 1.8m, shoulder height of 1m to 1.05m and weight of 90kg to 120kg. They have long ridged horns and their coat is of a dark brown colour, with white markings on the shoulders, face and legs. The male’s neck is covered with longer, bushy hairs. Conversely, female Nile lechwes do not have horns and have a much lighter tan coloured coat.

Among the largest of cranes, the red-crowned crane (or Grus japonensis) is a species of wading bird native to the wetlands, rivers and tidal flats of eastern Russia, China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan. Many cranes migrate and spend their summer in Russia, China and Mongolia, and the winter in Korea and China. Japan’s population of red-crowned cranes however are residents and do not migrate. The plumage of red-crowned cranes is white, with black tail feathers, neck and face, as well as a row of black feathers on the wings.