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Australia has some of
the brightest...
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00:00:06,273 --> 00:00:11,111
..boldest and most alarming
creepy-crawlies
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00:00:11,111 --> 00:00:12,613
on the planet.
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00:00:13,647 --> 00:00:15,415
In their miniature world,
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00:00:15,415 --> 00:00:17,784
nothing is quite
what it seems.
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00:00:19,753 --> 00:00:22,022
Spiders look like ants.
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00:00:23,824 --> 00:00:27,127
Insects move like leaves.
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00:00:29,630 --> 00:00:33,467
They transform themselves
for almost every purpose...
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00:00:37,104 --> 00:00:39,439
..from master-builder...
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00:00:41,708 --> 00:00:43,710
..to assassin.
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00:00:46,213 --> 00:00:48,282
Some work together.
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00:00:50,250 --> 00:00:52,586
Others, alone.
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00:00:54,121 --> 00:00:57,824
Each one is part of the
great struggle for life...
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00:01:00,394 --> 00:01:03,997
..in this vast,
ancient continent.
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00:01:06,300 --> 00:01:09,670
Home to some of
the planet's most unusual...
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00:01:11,672 --> 00:01:14,241
..and fascinating animals.
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00:01:22,549 --> 00:01:24,851
These are the Secret Lives
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00:01:24,851 --> 00:01:28,055
of Australia's
Bugs And Butterflies.
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00:01:37,731 --> 00:01:40,367
The wet tropics
of Queensland,
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00:01:40,367 --> 00:01:42,569
in the far north-east
of Australia.
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00:01:45,138 --> 00:01:47,607
Rainforest dominates here.
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00:01:47,607 --> 00:01:49,676
(Bird and insect noises)
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00:01:58,318 --> 00:02:02,222
To the human eye, there may
be nothing to see but green.
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00:02:10,197 --> 00:02:16,103
But, from the canopy...
to the forest floor...
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00:02:18,472 --> 00:02:21,575
..every inch of
this fecund ecosystem
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00:02:21,575 --> 00:02:23,643
is packed with creatures.
27
00:02:26,079 --> 00:02:28,348
Some are large
and easily visible.
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00:02:31,385 --> 00:02:35,255
But there is another,
more hidden, world here.
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00:02:36,189 --> 00:02:40,761
A small one,
filled with life
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00:02:40,761 --> 00:02:45,232
that's complex, rich
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00:02:45,232 --> 00:02:47,234
and utterly ruthless.
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00:02:49,269 --> 00:02:52,339
A world of
insects and spiders.
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00:02:56,576 --> 00:02:58,578
(Birdsong)
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00:03:02,816 --> 00:03:04,718
Nowhere else in Australia
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00:03:04,718 --> 00:03:07,554
has such a high diversity
of bugs as here,
36
00:03:07,554 --> 00:03:09,589
in Queensland's wet tropics.
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00:03:15,328 --> 00:03:18,331
This is a brutal
eat-or-be-eaten environment.
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00:03:22,335 --> 00:03:25,172
And they've developed
strategies to survive.
39
00:03:43,457 --> 00:03:46,560
There are 400 species of
butterfly in Australia.
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00:03:49,729 --> 00:03:51,631
For 60 per cent of them,
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00:03:51,631 --> 00:03:53,700
the tropics of Queensland
are home.
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00:03:57,104 --> 00:03:59,206
Some are breathtaking.
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00:04:09,249 --> 00:04:11,218
The Red Lacewing.
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00:04:13,620 --> 00:04:16,523
Australia's only
bright red butterfly.
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00:04:18,191 --> 00:04:22,162
And one of the few
predominantly red butterflies
in the world.
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00:04:28,401 --> 00:04:30,604
The colors of
the Cairns Birdwing,
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00:04:30,604 --> 00:04:34,741
endemic to Australia,
are even more spectacular.
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00:04:38,645 --> 00:04:41,515
At around
six-and-a-half inches across,
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00:04:41,515 --> 00:04:44,284
this many-hued giant is
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00:04:44,284 --> 00:04:46,353
the largest butterfly
in Australia.
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00:04:55,662 --> 00:04:57,664
From the bright orange
Cruiser...
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00:05:00,500 --> 00:05:03,703
..to the patterned
Common Eggfly...
53
00:05:05,438 --> 00:05:09,176
..each butterfly adds
its own dash of color.
54
00:05:11,211 --> 00:05:14,548
They bring incredible
vibrancy to the forest.
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00:05:16,116 --> 00:05:18,785
The dazzling shades and
designs of their markings
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00:05:18,785 --> 00:05:20,487
are extraordinary.
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00:05:27,060 --> 00:05:29,996
But only for
the briefest of times.
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00:05:35,202 --> 00:05:38,638
Most butterflies live for no
more than four to six weeks.
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00:05:43,143 --> 00:05:47,581
Their wings are unable to
heal from any kind of damage.
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00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:53,587
Each beat takes its toll.
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00:05:58,391 --> 00:06:00,260
The faster
the insect flies...
62
00:06:02,629 --> 00:06:05,265
..the more damage
its wings suffer...
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00:06:08,401 --> 00:06:10,470
..and the shorter its life.
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00:06:19,579 --> 00:06:21,581
(Birdsong)
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00:06:30,657 --> 00:06:32,592
(Insects buzzing)
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00:06:40,433 --> 00:06:43,103
Egg-laying is
where it all begins.
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00:06:57,584 --> 00:07:01,021
These miniature orbs
are well-camouflaged.
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00:07:06,726 --> 00:07:08,561
Each butterfly lays hundreds
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00:07:08,561 --> 00:07:11,097
over the course of
its short life.
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00:07:29,616 --> 00:07:33,687
Here, a Red Lacewing lays her
eggs on the stem of a leaf.
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00:07:33,687 --> 00:07:36,456
She's not the first
to use this nursery.
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00:07:37,724 --> 00:07:41,461
Like a shoal of fish,
or a flock of birds...
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00:07:43,430 --> 00:07:46,166
..the Red Lacewing seeks
safety in numbers
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00:07:46,166 --> 00:07:48,435
by laying in groups.
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00:07:59,612 --> 00:08:01,414
(Screeching)
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00:08:08,421 --> 00:08:11,491
For these eggs
of the Cairns Birdwing,
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00:08:11,491 --> 00:08:13,526
the time has come to hatch.
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00:08:17,297 --> 00:08:20,200
It's been eight days
since this egg was laid.
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00:08:22,168 --> 00:08:23,770
The tiny caterpillar has
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00:08:23,770 --> 00:08:26,406
another seven to nine weeks
to go
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00:08:26,406 --> 00:08:28,475
before it becomes
a butterfly.
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00:08:30,210 --> 00:08:33,246
As it feeds,
it'll grow rapidly
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00:08:33,246 --> 00:08:35,548
and shed its skin
at least four times.
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00:08:37,650 --> 00:08:39,652
Caterpillars grow in stages.
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00:08:40,787 --> 00:08:43,323
As they get too big
for their skin,
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00:08:43,323 --> 00:08:45,125
they molt it off
and replace it
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00:08:45,125 --> 00:08:47,360
with one that's
a little more spacious.
88
00:08:49,596 --> 00:08:52,499
These transformations
require a lot of energy...
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00:08:56,603 --> 00:08:59,072
..and that means
a lot of food.
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(Munching)
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00:09:19,292 --> 00:09:21,995
This caterpillar
lets nothing go to waste...
92
00:09:23,296 --> 00:09:25,999
..including its old skin.
93
00:09:28,535 --> 00:09:30,270
It's not really known why
94
00:09:30,270 --> 00:09:32,539
caterpillars eat
the skin they've shed.
95
00:09:35,608 --> 00:09:37,977
It might be for
extra nutrition.
96
00:09:40,213 --> 00:09:43,349
Or it might be to remove all
evidence of their presence,
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00:09:43,349 --> 00:09:47,053
so predators have no reason
to come and take
a closer look.
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00:10:02,402 --> 00:10:05,438
In the forest,
nothing is safe.
99
00:10:08,808 --> 00:10:13,179
Each individual
is in perpetual danger.
100
00:10:13,179 --> 00:10:15,215
They must be on
constant guard.
101
00:10:27,227 --> 00:10:31,231
This tiny caterpillar strays
right into the jaws of
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00:10:31,231 --> 00:10:32,732
a ferocious weaver ant.
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00:10:46,379 --> 00:10:49,549
Another ant arrives to try
and wrestle the prize away.
104
00:10:52,352 --> 00:10:54,821
The caterpillar is caught in
a tug-of-war.
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00:10:56,789 --> 00:10:59,192
Escape is impossible.
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(Birdsong)
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00:11:09,769 --> 00:11:13,473
All caterpillars must protect
themselves as best they can.
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00:11:16,476 --> 00:11:21,548
They evade,
they fight and they poison
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00:11:21,548 --> 00:11:23,683
in their struggle to survive.
110
00:11:26,219 --> 00:11:28,755
The caterpillar of the
Common Eggfly is armed with
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00:11:28,755 --> 00:11:31,758
enough sharp spines
to deter most birds.
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00:11:37,130 --> 00:11:39,699
The caterpillar of
the Cruiser
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is a bit of a bruiser.
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It has the longest spines
of any butterfly larva.
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Its body is also
highly toxic.
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This caterpillar
spends its short life
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feeding on poisonous vines.
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The vines do no harm
to the larva itself,
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00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:14,167
but they make its body
noxious to any predator.
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00:12:16,202 --> 00:12:20,239
Bright warning colors, known
as aposematic coloration,
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aim to deter attack.
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00:12:24,377 --> 00:12:28,348
They let predators know
these caterpillars are toxic.
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00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:34,454
The caterpillar of
the Cairns Birdwing
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00:12:34,454 --> 00:12:37,657
is an even more
dangerous target.
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00:12:43,696 --> 00:12:46,766
It too eats leaves
full of toxins
126
00:12:46,766 --> 00:12:50,436
so its prickly body
becomes poisonous
to predators as well.
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00:12:54,207 --> 00:12:55,742
But it also has
a secret weapon.
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00:13:04,417 --> 00:13:06,486
From its noxious food,
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00:13:06,486 --> 00:13:08,755
it creates
a foul-tasting chemical.
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00:13:16,396 --> 00:13:20,199
When threatened, it can
fire out this vile liquid
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00:13:20,199 --> 00:13:21,734
from the horns in its head.
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00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:29,609
Which just might be enough
to discourage an attacker.
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00:13:31,344 --> 00:13:33,346
(Birdsong)
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00:13:46,859 --> 00:13:48,594
Two weeks have passed.
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00:13:48,594 --> 00:13:51,364
It's time for the caterpillar
of the Cruiser butterfly
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00:13:51,364 --> 00:13:53,766
to move into
the next stage of its life.
137
00:13:54,834 --> 00:13:57,103
It must become a chrysalis.
138
00:13:58,237 --> 00:14:01,674
The Cruiser caterpillar has
moved away from the plant
it's been feeding on
139
00:14:01,674 --> 00:14:04,377
to one that provides
plenty of leaves
140
00:14:04,377 --> 00:14:06,379
and, importantly, cover.
141
00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:10,683
Having prepared a pad of
silk on the host leaf,
142
00:14:10,683 --> 00:14:13,653
it now anchors on with
a clump of special hooks
143
00:14:13,653 --> 00:14:15,722
known as the cremaster.
144
00:14:24,130 --> 00:14:27,100
Under its skin,
the chrysalis forms.
145
00:14:38,544 --> 00:14:42,381
It will remain a chrysalis
between seven and 12 days.
146
00:14:51,424 --> 00:14:53,493
A long time to be
a sitting target.
147
00:14:59,565 --> 00:15:02,568
But its leaf-like shape
blends in with the foliage.
148
00:15:15,148 --> 00:15:17,150
(Birds chattering)
149
00:15:19,685 --> 00:15:22,088
The caterpillar of
the Cairns Birdwing
150
00:15:22,088 --> 00:15:24,090
has a different technique.
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00:15:25,057 --> 00:15:28,327
It too creates a pad of silk
to anchor it to the stem...
152
00:15:36,536 --> 00:15:39,305
..but it then spins itself
a thin thread
153
00:15:39,305 --> 00:15:41,407
that functions as a girdle.
154
00:15:53,686 --> 00:15:56,756
Shedding the last of
its caterpillar skins...
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00:15:58,858 --> 00:16:02,195
..it transforms into
a chrysalis.
156
00:16:31,123 --> 00:16:33,426
Over three to four weeks,
157
00:16:33,426 --> 00:16:35,561
its cells gradually
become liquid
158
00:16:35,561 --> 00:16:39,365
and reorganize themselves
into a new structure.
159
00:16:41,634 --> 00:16:44,136
The final metamorphosis
is beginning.
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00:16:47,073 --> 00:16:49,075
(Chatter of birds)
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00:16:50,676 --> 00:16:52,678
(Insects buzzing)
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00:16:58,317 --> 00:17:01,654
Down on the forest floor,
life continues.
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00:17:05,758 --> 00:17:08,027
Millipedes look for food.
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00:17:14,567 --> 00:17:17,136
They feast on
decaying vegetation...
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00:17:19,038 --> 00:17:21,407
..and perform a vital role
in the ecosystem
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00:17:21,407 --> 00:17:23,643
by breaking down
dead plant material.
167
00:17:27,780 --> 00:17:29,982
(Frogs croaking)
168
00:17:32,652 --> 00:17:35,621
At the waterside,
frogs abound.
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00:17:41,093 --> 00:17:44,096
They lay their eggs in the
calmest water they can find.
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00:17:49,201 --> 00:17:54,006
This aptly-named giant frog
lays around a thousand eggs
at a time.
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00:17:56,575 --> 00:17:58,844
The tadpoles and young frogs
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00:17:58,844 --> 00:18:01,180
become food for
other species.
173
00:18:05,318 --> 00:18:08,454
In the air, dragonflies dart.
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00:18:11,324 --> 00:18:14,360
They can fly faster than
almost any other insect
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00:18:14,360 --> 00:18:16,629
and reach speeds of
36 miles an hour.
176
00:18:19,332 --> 00:18:23,135
But even their agility and
swiftness may not be enough
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00:18:23,135 --> 00:18:25,404
to protect them
from the Archer Fish.
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00:18:33,479 --> 00:18:37,350
It favors mangrove estuaries,
but ventures upriver.
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00:18:39,318 --> 00:18:41,120
Its powerful water jets
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00:18:41,120 --> 00:18:43,456
can hit an insect around
six-and-a-half feet away.
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00:18:46,659 --> 00:18:49,261
For a caterpillar,
choosing a pupating site
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00:18:49,261 --> 00:18:51,430
too near the water
is dangerous.
183
00:18:57,536 --> 00:18:59,605
(Lively classical music)
184
00:19:21,560 --> 00:19:24,630
Four weeks after entering
her chrysalis phase,
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00:19:25,464 --> 00:19:29,001
a female Cairns Birdwing
emerges into the light.
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00:19:31,704 --> 00:19:35,374
It's one of the most
extraordinary sights
in the insect world.
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00:19:38,477 --> 00:19:42,348
The leftover cells she didn't
need to form her new body
188
00:19:42,348 --> 00:19:45,284
remain behind in a liquid
called meconium.
189
00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:57,163
She pumps fluid
from her abdomen
190
00:19:57,163 --> 00:19:59,665
into the veins of
her delicate new wings.
191
00:20:04,203 --> 00:20:07,373
It takes a few hours
for them to harden and dry.
192
00:20:11,343 --> 00:20:14,146
Then...she's ready
for flight.
193
00:20:23,823 --> 00:20:26,725
Her hind wings
act as rudders..
194
00:20:28,094 --> 00:20:31,163
..as she makes sharp turns
to avoid any predators.
195
00:20:36,836 --> 00:20:39,238
The butterfly has just
six weeks to live.
196
00:20:41,707 --> 00:20:43,676
She must mate
as soon as possible
197
00:20:43,676 --> 00:20:46,445
and pass on her genes
to the next generation.
198
00:20:53,786 --> 00:20:57,823
The spectacular emerald-hued
males patrol the area,
199
00:20:57,823 --> 00:21:00,392
looking for
newly-emerged females.
200
00:21:07,466 --> 00:21:09,502
A male has spotted her.
201
00:21:09,502 --> 00:21:11,770
Now is the moment
to get down to business.
202
00:21:20,546 --> 00:21:23,048
The male is smaller than her.
203
00:21:27,620 --> 00:21:30,589
Should they be disturbed
during this vital act,
204
00:21:30,589 --> 00:21:33,559
she will use her larger
wingspan to fly off
205
00:21:33,559 --> 00:21:35,594
and take the male with her.
206
00:21:43,135 --> 00:21:45,437
They mate for up to 14 hours.
207
00:21:52,378 --> 00:21:54,680
He'll fertilize
each one of her eggs.
208
00:21:57,550 --> 00:22:00,819
It's thought that he may
remain with her after mating
209
00:22:00,819 --> 00:22:03,556
to prevent any other male
from gaining access.
210
00:22:15,234 --> 00:22:18,103
Their lifespan is so short...
211
00:22:21,473 --> 00:22:25,277
..but, by mating,
they allow the circle
of life to continue.
212
00:22:29,748 --> 00:22:33,319
Soon the next generation
of shape-shifters
213
00:22:33,319 --> 00:22:35,421
will begin
their transformation.
214
00:22:50,302 --> 00:22:53,539
And, just like when their
parents were caterpillars,
215
00:22:53,539 --> 00:22:56,575
they will use camouflage,
poison and mimicry
216
00:22:56,575 --> 00:22:58,811
in their battles
to defend themselves.
217
00:23:19,732 --> 00:23:23,335
Mastering the art of disguise
is a matter of survival.
218
00:23:33,512 --> 00:23:35,514
(Kookaburra laughing)
219
00:23:48,494 --> 00:23:50,462
These leaf insects are found
220
00:23:50,462 --> 00:23:52,331
throughout Australia
and Asia.
221
00:23:53,365 --> 00:23:55,734
Nicknamed walking leaves,
222
00:23:55,734 --> 00:23:58,337
they're the size, shape
and color
223
00:23:58,337 --> 00:24:00,439
of the surrounding foliage.
224
00:24:26,231 --> 00:24:30,002
Their strange gyrations are
also a sort of camouflage.
225
00:24:32,071 --> 00:24:35,207
Shaky wobbles mimic the way
leaves sway in the breeze.
226
00:24:39,278 --> 00:24:41,780
It's a good disguise,
227
00:24:41,780 --> 00:24:44,516
useful in deflecting
the attention of predators
228
00:24:44,516 --> 00:24:47,686
like the grey goshawk, which
lives in the same forest.
229
00:24:55,627 --> 00:24:57,629
(Water cascading)
230
00:25:15,447 --> 00:25:18,517
Other insects use
a different kind of mimicry.
231
00:25:21,787 --> 00:25:25,391
For many bugs,
wandering into the path of
232
00:25:25,391 --> 00:25:30,429
these voracious weaver ants
means certain death.
233
00:25:34,199 --> 00:25:36,468
Aggressive and territorial.
234
00:25:38,504 --> 00:25:40,806
Weaver ants would rather die
235
00:25:40,806 --> 00:25:42,574
than relinquish
their territory.
236
00:25:59,725 --> 00:26:02,027
They work together
to overpower...
237
00:26:04,263 --> 00:26:06,331
..then dismember their prey.
238
00:26:07,800 --> 00:26:10,102
They spread out
like a giant net...
239
00:26:12,805 --> 00:26:15,073
..letting nothing escape.
240
00:26:21,747 --> 00:26:23,715
An established colony
of weaver ants
241
00:26:23,715 --> 00:26:26,418
can hunt down millions
of victims each year.
242
00:26:31,824 --> 00:26:34,626
This spider
doesn't stand a chance.
243
00:27:11,296 --> 00:27:14,032
However, this species of
jumping spider
244
00:27:14,032 --> 00:27:16,034
is an expert at disguise.
245
00:27:24,443 --> 00:27:27,379
It's tricked the ants into
thinking it's one of them.
246
00:27:34,319 --> 00:27:38,757
The ants rely less on vision
and more on chemical signals
247
00:27:38,757 --> 00:27:41,260
to tell them what is friend
and what is foe.
248
00:27:43,829 --> 00:27:46,365
By adopting
their chemical signature,
249
00:27:46,365 --> 00:27:48,700
the spider is able
to remain undetected.
250
00:27:59,144 --> 00:28:01,346
The spider's
chemical mimicry
251
00:28:01,346 --> 00:28:04,383
isn't just
a clever defense mechanism,
252
00:28:04,383 --> 00:28:06,618
but also an aggressive
predatory ploy.
253
00:28:12,090 --> 00:28:14,726
Because the ants think
the spider is one of them,
254
00:28:14,726 --> 00:28:17,629
they won't stop it
entering their nest
255
00:28:17,629 --> 00:28:22,200
where it will prey on their
eggs, larvae and pupae.
256
00:28:32,744 --> 00:28:35,147
To be able to penetrate
the defenses
257
00:28:35,147 --> 00:28:37,449
of the weaver ant nest
is remarkable.
258
00:28:39,785 --> 00:28:42,554
It's one of the most
formidable fortresses
259
00:28:42,554 --> 00:28:44,623
in the forest.
260
00:28:45,657 --> 00:28:47,593
And it's built by
a mighty army
261
00:28:47,593 --> 00:28:50,095
of these highly resourceful
ants.
262
00:28:55,534 --> 00:28:59,338
Found in Africa and Asia
as well as Australia,
263
00:28:59,338 --> 00:29:02,107
a colony of weaver ants can
be half a million strong.
264
00:29:06,411 --> 00:29:09,514
Alone, a single weaver ant
is tiny...
265
00:29:12,384 --> 00:29:14,519
..and vulnerable.
266
00:29:17,623 --> 00:29:19,658
But together,
267
00:29:19,658 --> 00:29:23,462
they become a mighty,
many-celled workforce.
268
00:29:35,240 --> 00:29:38,010
This is
the definition of teamwork.
269
00:29:38,744 --> 00:29:41,647
They're getting ready to
construct a new base-camp.
270
00:29:45,117 --> 00:29:48,120
The ants grip with
their legs and jaws...
271
00:29:49,087 --> 00:29:51,623
..and collectively pull
the leaves together.
272
00:30:18,750 --> 00:30:21,753
This is when the weaver ants
really live up to their name.
273
00:30:24,423 --> 00:30:27,693
They carry ant larvae to
the edge of the leaves,
274
00:30:27,693 --> 00:30:31,096
where the larvae produce
fine gossamers of silk
275
00:30:31,096 --> 00:30:33,165
from their silk glands.
276
00:30:37,202 --> 00:30:40,505
The workers then maneuver
the larvae back and forth.
277
00:30:44,676 --> 00:30:48,213
They position the larvae's
heads next to the leaves.
278
00:30:51,116 --> 00:30:52,884
As the larvae produce
the silk,
279
00:30:52,884 --> 00:30:55,554
it adheres to
the leaf surfaces.
280
00:30:56,488 --> 00:30:58,657
It's a living loom.
281
00:31:04,062 --> 00:31:07,299
The result is
a perfectly-camouflaged
282
00:31:07,299 --> 00:31:10,836
new field garrison from
which the ants send out
283
00:31:10,836 --> 00:31:14,206
their territory patrols
and hunting parties.
284
00:31:20,645 --> 00:31:23,348
Teamwork isn't just for
hunting and building.
285
00:31:28,520 --> 00:31:30,422
These ants are transporting
286
00:31:30,422 --> 00:31:33,558
one of their huge
pupating queens.
287
00:31:38,263 --> 00:31:40,465
Their nest
has been disturbed
288
00:31:40,465 --> 00:31:42,534
and they're moving her
to a safe house
289
00:31:42,534 --> 00:31:44,469
while they make repairs.
290
00:31:46,705 --> 00:31:49,708
When she's fully grown,
she'll develop wings.
291
00:31:51,710 --> 00:31:54,146
Her job will be
to fly to a new area
292
00:31:54,146 --> 00:31:56,214
and found a fresh colony.
293
00:32:00,252 --> 00:32:02,420
She's around four times
their size...
294
00:32:05,157 --> 00:32:07,626
..but together,
they make light work.
295
00:32:11,096 --> 00:32:13,165
(Insects buzzing)
296
00:32:14,766 --> 00:32:18,336
The weaver ant isn't the
only hunter in the canopy.
297
00:32:26,444 --> 00:32:30,448
Spread between the trees,
a giant, sprawling web
298
00:32:30,448 --> 00:32:33,618
holds the remains of
insects large and small.
299
00:32:39,424 --> 00:32:42,127
It's been created
by tent spiders.
300
00:32:43,328 --> 00:32:46,231
They're common in tropical
Asia and Australia.
301
00:32:48,633 --> 00:32:51,603
Each spider,
the width of a man's hand,
302
00:32:51,603 --> 00:32:55,540
has created
a dense web around
one-and-a-half feet across.
303
00:32:57,742 --> 00:32:59,578
Like the weaver ants,
304
00:32:59,578 --> 00:33:02,280
they too benefit from
their joint labors.
305
00:33:03,515 --> 00:33:06,151
Unusually for arachnids,
306
00:33:06,151 --> 00:33:08,420
tent spiders
live in colonies.
307
00:33:12,324 --> 00:33:15,360
They set up their webs
close to each other.
308
00:33:15,360 --> 00:33:18,697
So even though a single web
is relatively small,
309
00:33:18,697 --> 00:33:22,200
together, the webs can cover
entire sections of canopy.
310
00:33:24,402 --> 00:33:27,239
And the neighborly spiders
maximize their catch.
311
00:33:31,142 --> 00:33:33,178
(Wings buzzing)
312
00:33:33,178 --> 00:33:35,814
Hatching insects
usually fly straight upwards
313
00:33:35,814 --> 00:33:37,515
as they emerge.
314
00:33:41,519 --> 00:33:43,255
Anything passing
close enough
315
00:33:43,255 --> 00:33:45,390
can get caught up
in the communal web,
316
00:33:45,390 --> 00:33:47,459
even small birds.
317
00:33:51,196 --> 00:33:53,265
Vibrations run through
the web,
318
00:33:53,265 --> 00:33:55,734
triggering the closest
spider to move in
319
00:33:55,734 --> 00:33:58,136
and inject its venom
into the victim.
320
00:34:11,483 --> 00:34:13,118
Incapacitated,
321
00:34:13,118 --> 00:34:16,421
the prey becomes easier to
wrap up in the spider's silk.
322
00:34:40,445 --> 00:34:43,581
In no time at all,
it's totally helpless.
323
00:34:51,256 --> 00:34:53,358
Anything the spider
can't eat now
324
00:34:53,358 --> 00:34:55,427
will keep nicely until later.
325
00:35:07,772 --> 00:35:09,741
These webs
will stay in place
326
00:35:09,741 --> 00:35:13,178
until strong winds
or heavy rain destroy them.
327
00:35:14,646 --> 00:35:18,750
The tent spiders then simply
rebuild together.
328
00:35:32,397 --> 00:35:34,733
Down on the forest floor,
329
00:35:34,733 --> 00:35:37,135
this cricket
is about to enter
330
00:35:37,135 --> 00:35:40,739
the lair of one of Australia's
most terrifying predators.
331
00:35:53,151 --> 00:35:55,754
The Eastern tarantula.
332
00:35:57,422 --> 00:36:00,191
She's one of the biggest
spiders in the country.
333
00:36:01,459 --> 00:36:04,629
Up to six inches across.
334
00:36:06,297 --> 00:36:09,501
Her venom is powerful enough
to kill a dog.
335
00:36:11,469 --> 00:36:13,171
This spider
lives on the ground
336
00:36:13,171 --> 00:36:15,240
in the drier areas
of the forest.
337
00:36:18,777 --> 00:36:22,013
She's excavated a burrow
around three feet deep.
338
00:36:31,056 --> 00:36:34,359
Alone, she waits just inside
the burrow entrance.
339
00:36:38,163 --> 00:36:41,433
The tarantula is
an ambush predator.
340
00:36:51,142 --> 00:36:54,379
This spider relies
more on touch than sight.
341
00:37:00,718 --> 00:37:02,620
As she patiently waits,
342
00:37:02,620 --> 00:37:05,223
the cricket passes
near her burrow.
343
00:37:06,291 --> 00:37:09,427
Its movements are producing
telltale vibrations.
344
00:37:19,637 --> 00:37:22,707
It's all over in seconds.
345
00:37:22,707 --> 00:37:24,476
(Crunching)
346
00:37:32,650 --> 00:37:34,586
With the tarantula around,
347
00:37:34,586 --> 00:37:37,422
the forest floor is never
a safe place
348
00:37:37,422 --> 00:37:39,457
for potential prey,
like crickets.
349
00:37:49,434 --> 00:37:51,503
But the trees
aren't safe either.
350
00:37:56,774 --> 00:38:00,678
The huntsman spider doesn't
build a web to trap prey.
351
00:38:03,715 --> 00:38:06,017
It hunts its victims down.
352
00:38:30,241 --> 00:38:32,677
It's well-camouflaged
to blend into the tree...
353
00:38:34,746 --> 00:38:37,348
..and has amazing speed.
354
00:38:42,187 --> 00:38:45,290
The cricket is history.
355
00:39:10,715 --> 00:39:14,452
No animal is free
from danger in the forest.
356
00:39:17,255 --> 00:39:21,092
From the biggest...
to the smallest.
357
00:39:54,792 --> 00:39:59,764
This St Andrew's Cross spider
is spinning her web.
358
00:40:01,332 --> 00:40:03,534
She's only found in Australia
359
00:40:03,534 --> 00:40:06,137
and lives in the margins
of the rainforest.
360
00:40:29,227 --> 00:40:32,764
With long legs
but a small body,
361
00:40:32,764 --> 00:40:35,600
she waits for prey
upside-down on her web.
362
00:40:35,600 --> 00:40:37,402
Her legs are arranged
in pairs,
363
00:40:37,402 --> 00:40:40,204
resembling a diagonal cross.
364
00:40:40,204 --> 00:40:42,407
(Buzzing)
365
00:40:42,407 --> 00:40:44,275
She makes a catch.
366
00:40:47,378 --> 00:40:50,248
Before the fly has
a chance to escape,
367
00:40:50,248 --> 00:40:54,285
she wraps it up into an
immobilized, neat package.
368
00:40:56,721 --> 00:40:59,357
These food parcels
can be left for later...
369
00:41:02,360 --> 00:41:04,228
..but not today.
370
00:41:10,301 --> 00:41:12,704
She regurgitates
her stomach fluids
371
00:41:12,704 --> 00:41:15,707
full of enzymes
onto the prey.
372
00:41:23,815 --> 00:41:26,417
This, combined with
the chewing action
373
00:41:26,417 --> 00:41:28,453
of her fangs and jaws,
374
00:41:28,453 --> 00:41:31,322
reduces the prey to
a biological soup.
375
00:41:38,296 --> 00:41:41,799
She sucks it up through
her tube-like mouthparts.
376
00:41:58,249 --> 00:42:01,319
A male cross spider,
much smaller,
377
00:42:02,487 --> 00:42:04,489
approaches her for mating.
378
00:42:07,525 --> 00:42:09,527
She's not interested.
379
00:42:18,436 --> 00:42:21,139
A second male tries his luck.
380
00:42:25,476 --> 00:42:27,512
This one's got
her attention...
381
00:42:30,715 --> 00:42:33,751
..but not quite
as he intended.
382
00:42:33,751 --> 00:42:38,423
This species of spider
practices sexual cannibalism.
383
00:42:39,457 --> 00:42:43,294
Only the fittest males
can court, mate
384
00:42:43,294 --> 00:42:45,296
and then evade the female.
385
00:42:49,233 --> 00:42:51,502
This pursuer becomes dinner.
386
00:42:54,739 --> 00:42:58,142
But someone else has been
eagerly following this drama.
387
00:43:00,278 --> 00:43:03,047
In the jungle, there's
always another creature
388
00:43:03,047 --> 00:43:06,684
capable of turning
a predator into prey.
389
00:43:08,486 --> 00:43:10,388
The Portia spider.
390
00:43:13,291 --> 00:43:15,626
It's smaller than
the St Andrews Cross...
391
00:43:16,794 --> 00:43:19,063
..but size isn't everything.
392
00:43:31,542 --> 00:43:35,213
The Portia is
an astonishing arachnid.
393
00:43:38,082 --> 00:43:41,185
It has very large
anterior eyes.
394
00:43:42,487 --> 00:43:44,222
They're unique.
395
00:43:44,222 --> 00:43:47,325
No other spider is known to
see as well as the Portia.
396
00:43:51,229 --> 00:43:53,231
And that's not all.
397
00:43:54,398 --> 00:43:57,201
Researchers are discovering
that this species has
398
00:43:57,201 --> 00:44:00,471
a comparatively larger brain
than any other spider.
399
00:44:05,610 --> 00:44:08,479
It can alter
its predatory strategy,
400
00:44:08,479 --> 00:44:11,048
employing
trial-and-error testing.
401
00:44:22,393 --> 00:44:25,663
It will purposefully take
indirect routes to its prey.
402
00:44:29,133 --> 00:44:32,770
These behaviors suggest
problem-solving intelligence.
403
00:44:48,853 --> 00:44:52,189
It's possible
the Portia can plan.
404
00:44:56,394 --> 00:44:58,462
It begins to make its move.
405
00:45:04,035 --> 00:45:06,137
Sensing the proximity
of a predator,
406
00:45:06,137 --> 00:45:10,107
the St Andrews Cross tries
to discourage an attack.
407
00:45:11,742 --> 00:45:14,211
It's called trampolining.
408
00:45:14,211 --> 00:45:17,081
She's trying to make herself
a difficult target.
409
00:45:19,717 --> 00:45:21,452
But the Portia spider,
410
00:45:21,452 --> 00:45:24,288
as well as having
extraordinary eyesight
411
00:45:24,288 --> 00:45:28,059
and high intelligence,
has an extra weapon.
412
00:45:30,561 --> 00:45:33,431
A lightning-fast,
super-accurate jump.
413
00:45:40,371 --> 00:45:43,441
Fangs inject powerful venom.
414
00:45:50,781 --> 00:45:55,586
Soon, the St Andrews Cross
will be completely immobile.
415
00:46:01,726 --> 00:46:03,995
Ready for dispatch.
416
00:46:12,169 --> 00:46:14,171
(Birdsong)
417
00:46:38,129 --> 00:46:41,098
Australia's bugs
and butterflies have adopted
418
00:46:41,098 --> 00:46:44,168
some extraordinary
survival strategies.
419
00:46:47,772 --> 00:46:50,641
From ants that use larvae
as glue-guns...
420
00:46:53,444 --> 00:46:57,048
..to spiders that disguise
themselves as ants.
421
00:47:01,185 --> 00:47:03,387
The forests of Australia
are packed with
422
00:47:03,387 --> 00:47:06,290
an astonishing variety
of creepy-crawlies.
423
00:47:08,459 --> 00:47:11,162
Aerial show-offs,
424
00:47:11,162 --> 00:47:14,198
masters of disguise
425
00:47:14,198 --> 00:47:17,001
and extravagant dressers.
426
00:47:18,602 --> 00:47:20,671
There's nothing they won't do
427
00:47:20,671 --> 00:47:23,374
in the great battle for life.
428
00:47:23,774 --> 00:47:34,018
♪♪♪
429
00:47:34,018 --> 00:47:38,789
♪♪♪
430
00:47:38,789 --> 00:47:49,033
♪♪♪
431
00:47:49,033 --> 00:47:54,405
♪♪♪
32872
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