[video:Voices of the Hainan Rainforest_ Natural Labs and Museums for Biological Diversity]

Among the mountains of Hainan Island, lies a few of the rare primitive rainforests in China, and they are the natural laboratories and museums for researchers to study and showcase biodiversity.

In Diaoluoshan National Forest Park, the rainforest is exceptionally lively after nightfall. Following the sound of frogs, Wang Jichao, PhD of Hainan Normal University’s College of Life Sciences who studies amphibious reptiles, heads to their home. There are 33 known species of amphibian reptiles that make their home here. Wang said that students studying biology in Hainan are lucky, because the biodiversity of the rainforest gives them a natural museum and laboratory close at hand.

A two-meter-long snakeskin is found in the grass, the frightened snake has already gone.“It seems to have just molted, this snakeskin is relatively thin, after exposure to the sun, it will become brittle,” said Dr. Wang Jichao.On the other side of the mountain, Mi Hongxu’s team, responsible for investigating testudines, also made a new discovery.

“It's commonly known as the keeled box turtle, and its scientific name is Cuora mouhotii, also called Pyxidea mouhotii. The discovery of this turtle means the local habitat is slowly recovering,” said Mi Hongxu, chief of the ecological protection section of Yinggeling Sub-Bureau of Hainan Tropical Rainforest National Park Administration.

When researchers capture these creatures, they will take them back to the laboratory to further understand their health conditions and for better conservation in the future. After the health check, it will be returned to the wild where it was found. The laboratory was established in 2011. In addition to various specimens, there are 21 wildlife species at the stage of observation and research living here.

“This is called a Mock Viper (Psammodynastes pulverulentus), now it’s hidden behind this shelter. It is very fierce and quite beautiful,” said Liao Changle, staff member of Yinggeling Nature Reserve.

Over the years, at the Yinggeling Nature Reserve, scientists have recorded more than 60 kinds of precious birds through infrared cameras, including the national level protected animals—Hainan patridge (Arborophila ardens) and Grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum); as well as amphibian reptiles such as frogs, snakes, turtles and lizards; and the footprints of large carnivores have also been found. Deep in the inaccessible woodland, there are still many unknown species hidden, waiting for the researchers to discover them.