This dorsal ridge is paralleled by a row of circular, orange bumps on both sides of the newt’s body—these are the poison glands.

[2] Tylototriton shanjing might seem like easy prey because of its slow, almost lackadaisical movements; however, the bright orange coloration it displays is, in nature, generally a warning to potential predators that the animal is poisonous, even lethal, if ingested or bitten into.

This vivid color warning-system is prevalent throughout amphibians, reptiles, invertebrates, some fish and plants, as well as in many types of fungi which are toxic if eaten.

[2] Although poisonous if eaten, or if their toxin is ingested, these newts are generally safe for human handling, provided they are held carefully and gently, and not more often than is absolutely necessary.

Emperor newts live in central, western, and southern Yunnan, China, between 1,000 and 2,500 metres (3,300 and 8,200 ft) above sea level.