Dalian's Snake Island reveals its secrets

A nature reserve that is home to nearly 2,000 kinds of living creatures in Dalian, Liaoning province, revealed some of its mysteries in a video for International Day for Biological Diversity, which fell on Monday.

Located at the southern tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, Snake Island Laotieshan National Nature Reserve protects Chinese pit vipers (Gloidyus shedaoensis) — a species endemic to the island — along with habitat for migratory birds.

The reserve hosts 346 species of birds, 725 species of vascular plants, 480 species of insects, 217 species of coastal invertebrates, 54 species of fish, four species of amphibians, 10 species of reptiles and 16 species of mammals.

About 20,000 venomous pit vipers live on the reserve's Snake Island, which covers about 73 hectares.

Video provided by Dalian News Media Group