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The southern drylands of Africa
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are some of the most arid
and treacherous on earth.
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00:00:13,747 --> 00:00:16,583
Places of
wind whipped sand dunes
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00:00:16,583 --> 00:00:19,353
and slowly crumbling mountains.
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00:00:21,488 --> 00:00:24,758
Where the scars
of dead rivers remain,
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Closely guarded by the sun.
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00:00:30,631 --> 00:00:33,500
Here some remarkable
desert specialists
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have adapted
to exist almost without water.
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Theirs are the secrets to
survival in this hostile realm -
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This is the story of southern
Africa's Greatest Drylands.
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♪♪
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♪♪
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♪♪
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♪♪
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In the sandy interior of south
west Africa's Namib desert,
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two elephant bulls
are on the move.
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They're searching for water.
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In a place like this,
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their quest is long
and by no means guaranteed.
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00:02:31,585 --> 00:02:36,223
For the Namib
has almost no surface water.
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The elephants have little choice
but to continue their trek.
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Only those animals and plants
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00:02:58,278 --> 00:03:01,481
specifically adapted
to desert life can live here.
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00:03:04,785 --> 00:03:08,088
They each know
the secret of this place.
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00:03:18,198 --> 00:03:20,600
Although invisible
for the most part,
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00:03:20,600 --> 00:03:25,338
moisture has never completely
abandoned the Namib.
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00:03:34,481 --> 00:03:36,349
The key to living here
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00:03:36,349 --> 00:03:40,020
is learning how to find it.
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00:03:48,261 --> 00:03:52,799
For these ultimate desert
wanderers, the search continues.
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00:04:01,108 --> 00:04:05,679
Namibia contains some of the
most arid environments on earth.
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Much of which receives
less than 1 inch of annual rain.
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These are the southern drylands.
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Remote and barren landscapes
of desolate beauty.
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There are giants here
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00:04:36,343 --> 00:04:41,181
that dwarf
even the mighty elephants.
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00:04:45,185 --> 00:04:47,220
These wind-whipped hulks
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00:04:47,220 --> 00:04:51,658
are some of the largest
sand dunes in the world.
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00:04:54,694 --> 00:04:59,065
They dominate the coastline
of the Atlantic ocean.
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00:05:00,467 --> 00:05:04,104
And extend inland
into a sea of sand
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00:05:04,104 --> 00:05:07,274
as beautiful as it is hazardous.
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00:05:09,276 --> 00:05:13,580
This is one
of the driest places in Africa.
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00:05:16,383 --> 00:05:19,719
Where rain is practically
non-existent.
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00:05:25,659 --> 00:05:28,328
Yet there is life here.
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00:05:30,197 --> 00:05:33,700
Its support system
is carried in from the sea.
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Arriving as life-bringing fog.
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00:05:53,553 --> 00:05:57,557
As the cold ocean cools the
prevalent south westerly wind
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00:05:57,557 --> 00:06:02,262
it creates fog, which blows in
towards the land.
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00:06:05,432 --> 00:06:09,369
Here it spreads a vital
but fleeting layer of moisture
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00:06:09,369 --> 00:06:12,205
up to 37 miles inland -
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00:06:15,675 --> 00:06:20,113
allowing life to take
a precarious but lasting hold
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00:06:20,113 --> 00:06:23,250
on the sandy landscape.
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00:06:39,366 --> 00:06:43,270
Even with this minute
daily veil of moisture,
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00:06:43,270 --> 00:06:46,539
those that live here
have to be exceptionally good
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00:06:46,539 --> 00:06:50,677
at solving the problems of
living in a super-heated land.
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The Namib sand gecko's huge eyes
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00:07:03,023 --> 00:07:06,126
and pale,
almost translucent skin
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00:07:06,126 --> 00:07:11,698
make it appear poorly equipped
for the rigors of desert life.
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00:07:17,237 --> 00:07:21,608
It has a simple solution
to staying cool in the heat -
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00:07:21,608 --> 00:07:24,110
it hides from the sun,
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00:07:24,110 --> 00:07:26,546
sleeping under the sand by day
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00:07:26,546 --> 00:07:29,015
where temperatures
are less extreme.
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00:07:35,522 --> 00:07:39,326
This gecko spent the night
hunting insects.
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00:07:39,326 --> 00:07:42,629
But now as the desert warms
in the morning sun,
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00:07:42,629 --> 00:07:46,399
it will soon be forced
to retire underground.
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00:07:51,604 --> 00:07:53,239
But before that
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00:07:53,239 --> 00:07:56,209
it needs to
clean its bulbous eyes.
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00:07:58,378 --> 00:08:01,381
Which are
getting blasted by sand.
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00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:08,388
They're its main tools
for finding food in the dark
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00:08:08,388 --> 00:08:10,357
and it's of paramount importance
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00:08:10,357 --> 00:08:13,393
that they are kept
in good working order.
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00:08:17,297 --> 00:08:20,033
Using a sticky, dexterous tongue
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00:08:20,033 --> 00:08:22,802
the gecko gently wipes
any excess grime
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00:08:22,802 --> 00:08:26,706
off its sensitive eye balls.
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00:08:26,706 --> 00:08:30,176
Now it's time to find
a subterranean hideout
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00:08:30,176 --> 00:08:32,679
to avoid the heat of the day.
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00:08:36,049 --> 00:08:38,051
But it's picky about real estate
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00:08:38,051 --> 00:08:43,456
and will only occupy compacted
windward facing dunes.
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00:08:45,625 --> 00:08:48,061
Where hard crusts of sand
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make for a solid roof
over its head.
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00:08:54,067 --> 00:08:55,735
Living on the ground
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00:08:55,735 --> 00:08:59,105
means the Namib sand gecko
doesn't need the sticky toes
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00:08:59,105 --> 00:09:03,410
common
to most tree dwelling geckos.
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00:09:03,410 --> 00:09:05,412
It has swopped adhesive ability
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00:09:05,412 --> 00:09:09,149
for another
much more useful adaptation.
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00:09:13,219 --> 00:09:16,022
It has shovels for feet.
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00:09:18,224 --> 00:09:21,161
Webbed toes
are a rare specialization
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00:09:21,161 --> 00:09:23,296
which help it move
loose sand quickly.
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The gecko
will emerge again to hunt
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00:09:33,206 --> 00:09:37,076
only in the cover of darkness.
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00:09:44,451 --> 00:09:47,220
There is another reptile
in the southern drylands
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that has a different solution
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to life under the baking sun.
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00:09:59,098 --> 00:10:04,437
Undoubtedly one of the desert's
most unusual inhabitants
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is the Namaqua chameleon.
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00:10:10,743 --> 00:10:14,614
Chameleons are often found
in lush tropical forests
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00:10:14,614 --> 00:10:16,716
and like her cousins,
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00:10:16,716 --> 00:10:19,319
this female Namaqua chameleon
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00:10:19,319 --> 00:10:22,222
has eyes
that can swivel independently.
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00:10:24,357 --> 00:10:26,192
She's also cold-blooded
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00:10:26,192 --> 00:10:32,332
and cannot control her body
temperature internally.
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00:10:32,332 --> 00:10:36,135
So how does the chameleon
manage to regulate body heat
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00:10:36,135 --> 00:10:38,872
in a desert where the
temperature can quickly jump
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00:10:38,872 --> 00:10:42,809
from
60 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit?
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The secret is in her skin.
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00:10:48,615 --> 00:10:51,217
It contains
pigments and crystals,
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which the chameleon can control
to vary her color.
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00:11:00,159 --> 00:11:01,628
In the cold mornings
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00:11:01,628 --> 00:11:03,730
when temperatures in the desert
are still low
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00:11:03,730 --> 00:11:07,233
the Namaqua chameleon
turns her skin a dark brown,
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00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:11,371
increasing the amount of heat
she can absorb.
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00:11:15,775 --> 00:11:17,744
Soon she reaches the upper limit
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00:11:17,744 --> 00:11:20,246
of her preferred
body temperature,
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which is about
100 degrees Fahrenheit.
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00:11:26,252 --> 00:11:29,055
Now she's at risk
of overheating.
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00:11:33,293 --> 00:11:37,030
But the highly adaptive
chameleon has a solution.
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00:11:39,666 --> 00:11:42,235
She changes her color again,
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this time to a lighter hue,
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00:11:44,203 --> 00:11:47,373
which increases the amount
of light reflected off her skin,
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00:11:47,373 --> 00:11:49,809
so it will absorb less heat.
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00:11:55,481 --> 00:12:00,053
She also flattens her body and
points herself towards the sun,
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00:12:00,053 --> 00:12:02,722
reducing the surface area
directly exposed
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00:12:02,722 --> 00:12:06,526
to the warming rays.
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00:12:06,526 --> 00:12:08,561
These incredible adaptations
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00:12:08,561 --> 00:12:11,397
allow the chameleon
to keep her body temperature
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00:12:11,397 --> 00:12:13,299
in a comfortable range
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00:12:13,299 --> 00:12:16,069
and remain active all day.
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00:12:23,309 --> 00:12:27,647
Though active is a relative term
for her relaxed pace.
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00:12:32,852 --> 00:12:38,758
But what exactly
does the chameleon eat out here?
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00:12:38,758 --> 00:12:41,828
The answer lies
in the green patches of life
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00:12:41,828 --> 00:12:44,664
dotting the sand.
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00:12:52,205 --> 00:12:56,175
Few plants are more valuable
to the desert's inhabitants
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00:12:56,175 --> 00:12:59,512
than the Narra plant.
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00:13:05,051 --> 00:13:09,188
It provides both food
and shelter for many animals,
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00:13:09,188 --> 00:13:12,058
large and small.
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00:13:21,434 --> 00:13:24,637
Flower buds
house a host of insects,
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00:13:26,105 --> 00:13:28,107
like these tiny aphids.
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00:13:42,355 --> 00:13:46,526
This larger bug prefers the
ground level for its needs.
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00:13:50,096 --> 00:13:52,832
The plana beetle
is a pedestrian insect,
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00:13:52,832 --> 00:13:56,869
meaning it can't fly.
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00:13:56,869 --> 00:14:00,640
Right now
these three don't need to.
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00:14:00,640 --> 00:14:04,310
They are in a hurry.
But it's not a race to food
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00:14:04,310 --> 00:14:07,280
that's got
these beetles running.
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00:14:07,280 --> 00:14:11,718
This chase is actually a rather
complicated lover's triangle.
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00:14:12,785 --> 00:14:15,655
The beetle in front is a female,
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00:14:15,655 --> 00:14:19,225
the two behind are eager males.
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00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:22,261
Male plana beetles
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00:14:22,261 --> 00:14:25,164
are single-minded
in their quest to reproduce
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00:14:25,164 --> 00:14:28,401
and will attempt to mate
whenever they meet females.
149
00:14:31,104 --> 00:14:35,341
But finding the opposite sex
is the easy part.
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00:14:35,341 --> 00:14:39,846
It's shaking the competition
that takes hard work.
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00:14:39,846 --> 00:14:43,349
Having such persistent suitors
is tiring
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00:14:43,349 --> 00:14:46,219
and she stops between sprints.
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00:14:49,522 --> 00:14:51,758
One way
of dealing with your problems
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00:14:51,758 --> 00:14:54,660
is burying your head in sand.
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00:14:57,864 --> 00:15:01,000
But this doesn't deter
her armored knights.
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The moment is ruined
by the lack of common courtesy.
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00:15:10,710 --> 00:15:13,012
And the chase resumes.
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00:15:24,090 --> 00:15:25,591
In a moment of confusion
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00:15:25,591 --> 00:15:28,528
the trio splits,
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00:15:28,528 --> 00:15:31,531
giving the leading male
another chance.
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00:15:35,234 --> 00:15:37,703
In the race to mate,
male plana beetles
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00:15:37,703 --> 00:15:41,774
need speed and size
to come out on top.
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Luckily they are the fastest
running beetles in the world.
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Again the female buries herself.
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This is actually her way
of taking shelter for the night.
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But it serves the dual purpose
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00:15:58,324 --> 00:16:00,693
of allowing the male
to mate with her
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00:16:00,693 --> 00:16:04,363
and stay above her
to guard her against rivals.
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00:16:07,567 --> 00:16:11,037
The plana beetle
isn't the only dryland expert
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that relies on the Narra fruit
for sustenance.
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00:16:18,144 --> 00:16:20,780
By eating moisture-rich melons
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the handsome oryx
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00:16:22,515 --> 00:16:25,384
can go for long periods of time
without drinking,
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00:16:30,323 --> 00:16:36,329
allowing it to venture
deep into the driest interior.
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00:16:38,197 --> 00:16:42,668
But this special antelope has an
even more impressive adaptation
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that lets it stay out
in the heat all day long.
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00:16:48,107 --> 00:16:52,345
In the sun its body temperature
rises slowly but steadily,
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00:16:52,345 --> 00:16:57,717
reaching a brutally hot
110 degrees Fahrenheit.
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00:16:57,717 --> 00:17:01,087
If blood at this temperature
reaches its brain
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00:17:01,087 --> 00:17:03,222
it would be fatal.
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00:17:05,691 --> 00:17:09,662
But the oryx has an ingenious
'blood flow radiator'
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00:17:09,662 --> 00:17:12,131
located in its nose .
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00:17:14,634 --> 00:17:17,470
This circulates
and cools the blood
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00:17:17,470 --> 00:17:20,673
before it reaches the brain.
185
00:17:20,673 --> 00:17:24,176
This system of cooling
is crucial to the oryx
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00:17:24,176 --> 00:17:26,646
as it saves
vast amounts of water
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that would otherwise be used in
staying cool through sweating.
188
00:17:32,151 --> 00:17:36,122
This allows it to stay deep
in the heat haze for days.
189
00:17:43,796 --> 00:17:47,433
Herbivores like the oryx
inevitably provide waste,
190
00:17:47,433 --> 00:17:52,405
which enables the presence of an
industrious dryland inhabitant.
191
00:17:56,575 --> 00:17:59,779
The Flightless dung beetle
is a hard worker,
192
00:17:59,779 --> 00:18:03,683
committed to the tireless
recycling of animal waste.
193
00:18:08,020 --> 00:18:12,124
But today it's looking for
a decent place to dig a hole
194
00:18:12,124 --> 00:18:14,293
and escape from the heat.
195
00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:20,199
Dung beetles are
superbly designed for digging,
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00:18:20,199 --> 00:18:22,735
with a broad bulldozer-like head
197
00:18:22,735 --> 00:18:25,504
and strong flat forelegs.
198
00:18:30,509 --> 00:18:36,215
But the sand here is loose
and difficult to dig.
199
00:18:36,215 --> 00:18:38,517
Most dung beetles
would simply fly away
200
00:18:38,517 --> 00:18:41,754
to a more promising location.
201
00:18:43,356 --> 00:18:47,760
But for this species
that's not an option.
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00:18:49,395 --> 00:18:53,399
It's one of the few dung beetles
that cannot fly.
203
00:18:56,135 --> 00:18:59,405
In a remarkable
evolutionary trade-off
204
00:18:59,405 --> 00:19:02,008
it has given up
the luxury of flight
205
00:19:02,008 --> 00:19:05,211
for the necessity
of retaining water.
206
00:19:07,646 --> 00:19:12,084
Breathing out carbon dioxide
uses up precious moisture.
207
00:19:14,086 --> 00:19:17,356
Instead the beetle
stores the carbon dioxide
208
00:19:17,356 --> 00:19:22,094
in tiny tanks
where its inner wings once were.
209
00:19:22,094 --> 00:19:24,330
This reduces its need to breathe
210
00:19:24,330 --> 00:19:26,766
and means
it only has to 'exhale'
211
00:19:26,766 --> 00:19:30,236
once every half hour.
212
00:19:30,236 --> 00:19:32,805
In one of the driest places
in the world
213
00:19:32,805 --> 00:19:36,175
being able to conserve
every bit of moisture
214
00:19:36,175 --> 00:19:40,746
is the difference between
surviving and perishing.
215
00:19:40,746 --> 00:19:43,049
But it still
doesn't help the beetle
216
00:19:43,049 --> 00:19:45,551
find a decent place
to dig a hole.
217
00:19:54,193 --> 00:19:57,696
Along the coastal dune belt
of the southern drylands,
218
00:19:57,696 --> 00:20:02,535
fog provides enough moisture
to support the entire ecosystem.
219
00:20:11,377 --> 00:20:13,579
In the mountainous
northern interior
220
00:20:13,579 --> 00:20:15,815
an altogether
different water source
221
00:20:15,815 --> 00:20:19,685
provides for a more
impressive cast of animals.
222
00:20:26,492 --> 00:20:29,295
A dry river bed
is all that's left
223
00:20:29,295 --> 00:20:32,298
of the body of water
that once carved its path
224
00:20:32,298 --> 00:20:34,166
through these mountains.
225
00:20:37,136 --> 00:20:44,276
Its history is now etched into
the desert's sandy surface.
226
00:20:44,276 --> 00:20:47,613
In times of flood
the river may flow briefly
227
00:20:47,613 --> 00:20:52,818
before the thirsty sand drags
all the moisture underground.
228
00:20:52,818 --> 00:20:55,754
But for now,
the water is only accessible
229
00:20:55,754 --> 00:20:58,424
to plants and trees
with long roots,
230
00:20:58,424 --> 00:21:02,394
which can tap the hidden
reserves deep in the sand.
231
00:21:06,632 --> 00:21:11,670
This vegetation sustains
a variety of wildlife.
232
00:21:11,670 --> 00:21:15,774
Including the largest
land mammal on earth.
233
00:21:25,851 --> 00:21:28,454
These are
desert-adapted elephants
234
00:21:28,454 --> 00:21:30,356
that have travelled
long distances
235
00:21:30,356 --> 00:21:32,691
to this remote river course
236
00:21:32,691 --> 00:21:36,162
in search of water.
237
00:21:36,162 --> 00:21:39,698
This is one of the last herds
of desert elephants
238
00:21:39,698 --> 00:21:42,067
left in southern Africa.
239
00:21:45,437 --> 00:21:48,841
They are a family of
related females and their young
240
00:21:48,841 --> 00:21:51,710
led by the matriarch.
241
00:21:51,710 --> 00:21:57,650
Who is the oldest
and most experienced among them.
242
00:21:57,650 --> 00:22:00,319
The matriarch
has been here before
243
00:22:00,319 --> 00:22:03,822
and knows that there is
enough food for her family
244
00:22:03,822 --> 00:22:07,526
and somewhere,
hidden in the baking sand,
245
00:22:07,526 --> 00:22:10,229
water.
246
00:22:15,768 --> 00:22:19,572
Her challenge is to remember
where it is.
247
00:22:24,577 --> 00:22:28,113
The bulls
travel separately from the herd
248
00:22:28,113 --> 00:22:31,550
and are still far out
in the immense desert.
249
00:22:34,253 --> 00:22:37,122
The water source
that they're searching for
250
00:22:37,122 --> 00:22:43,596
flows invisible beneath the sand
for thousands of miles.
251
00:22:43,596 --> 00:22:48,334
While it supports
plants and animals above ground,
252
00:22:48,334 --> 00:22:51,704
it holds strange secrets below.
253
00:22:55,874 --> 00:22:59,478
Where there is water
life always follows.
254
00:23:02,715 --> 00:23:07,653
This underground cave is home to
the drylands' rarest creature.
255
00:23:12,391 --> 00:23:15,494
The Golden catfish.
256
00:23:17,229 --> 00:23:18,797
A species so rare
257
00:23:18,797 --> 00:23:23,369
that it has been found
nowhere else in the world.
258
00:23:23,369 --> 00:23:27,106
Only a handful of individuals
live in this small pool,
259
00:23:27,106 --> 00:23:31,744
making the Golden catfish
critically endangered.
260
00:23:31,744 --> 00:23:33,812
Its long, eel like body
261
00:23:33,812 --> 00:23:39,084
is an eerie pinky-gold
due to a lack of pigmentation.
262
00:23:41,120 --> 00:23:44,390
The bizarre little fish
is totally blind.
263
00:23:46,692 --> 00:23:52,398
Sight is superfluous
when you live in the dark.
264
00:23:52,398 --> 00:23:56,835
The Golden catfish have existed
in this small water-filled cave
265
00:23:56,835 --> 00:23:59,505
for generations.
266
00:24:07,279 --> 00:24:09,815
So the real question here is -
267
00:24:09,815 --> 00:24:11,583
what does it eat?
268
00:24:14,620 --> 00:24:17,189
The answer comes from above:
269
00:24:25,297 --> 00:24:26,732
Bat droppings.
270
00:24:28,701 --> 00:24:30,669
High in the crevices above,
271
00:24:30,669 --> 00:24:33,038
bats cling to the crags.
272
00:24:37,509 --> 00:24:39,845
Their excrement
falls into the pool
273
00:24:39,845 --> 00:24:43,382
where the catfish can find it -
274
00:24:43,382 --> 00:24:47,219
using their four pairs
of thread-like barbels.
275
00:25:00,566 --> 00:25:05,137
The bats thus provide the
ghostly fish with a ready meal.
276
00:25:31,263 --> 00:25:35,267
The southern drylands
are full of mystery.
277
00:25:37,636 --> 00:25:42,441
There are even occurrences that
science can't fully account for.
278
00:26:02,194 --> 00:26:06,665
These round circles of grass
are part of a bizarre phenomenon
279
00:26:06,665 --> 00:26:09,668
that remains unexplained.
280
00:26:16,074 --> 00:26:17,643
Fairy circles.
281
00:26:23,782 --> 00:26:27,486
Most scientists suppose
that the fairies who make them
282
00:26:27,486 --> 00:26:29,721
may in fact be termites.
283
00:26:31,723 --> 00:26:34,359
The insects are believed
to create the rings
284
00:26:34,359 --> 00:26:38,263
by excreting a chemical that
stops the growth of the grass
285
00:26:38,263 --> 00:26:41,700
in the center of the circles.
286
00:26:41,700 --> 00:26:45,471
But this explanation
hasn't been verified
287
00:26:45,471 --> 00:26:48,707
and other theories include
burrowing animals,
288
00:26:48,707 --> 00:26:50,642
electromagnetic waves
289
00:26:50,642 --> 00:26:52,778
and even grand speculations
290
00:26:52,778 --> 00:26:56,315
like UFO landing sites.
291
00:27:04,089 --> 00:27:08,260
Still the fairy circles
remain a great mystery
292
00:27:08,260 --> 00:27:11,163
of southern Africa's drylands.
293
00:27:22,140 --> 00:27:24,576
Grass like that
of the fairy circles
294
00:27:24,576 --> 00:27:26,612
is incredibly resilient
295
00:27:26,612 --> 00:27:30,983
and is considered one of the
perennials of the desert biome.
296
00:27:33,352 --> 00:27:37,356
Along the coastal dunes
little else can grow,
297
00:27:37,356 --> 00:27:40,359
yet it tenaciously
clings to the sand.
298
00:27:42,494 --> 00:27:44,463
It appears at first glance
299
00:27:44,463 --> 00:27:46,365
dry and dead.
300
00:27:49,434 --> 00:27:52,504
Indeed for the most part it is,
301
00:27:52,504 --> 00:27:57,209
until rare and precious rain
falls to reawaken it.
302
00:28:03,448 --> 00:28:06,351
Even in a state
of suspended animation
303
00:28:06,351 --> 00:28:10,556
the grass provides a home
for another dune species.
304
00:28:13,659 --> 00:28:16,595
The Dune ant
is a dangerous creature,
305
00:28:16,595 --> 00:28:18,997
not to be trifled with.
306
00:28:21,400 --> 00:28:23,368
Living in large colonies,
307
00:28:23,368 --> 00:28:28,206
individuals are equipped with
formic acid and powerful jaws,
308
00:28:28,206 --> 00:28:32,077
which they use to quickly
dismember any unwary traveler
309
00:28:32,077 --> 00:28:34,513
who comes into their territory.
310
00:28:40,052 --> 00:28:43,188
Each ant
has a clearly defined role.
311
00:28:44,756 --> 00:28:50,395
Communication is the key
to smooth operating.
312
00:28:50,395 --> 00:28:53,465
This is done through
exchanging chemical signals
313
00:28:53,465 --> 00:28:55,567
called pheromones.
314
00:29:04,710 --> 00:29:07,546
These workers
in charge of burrow maintenance
315
00:29:07,546 --> 00:29:10,616
are receiving
an alarming message.
316
00:29:18,390 --> 00:29:21,627
Winds have wrought havoc
on the entrance of their home
317
00:29:21,627 --> 00:29:25,263
beneath the grasses.
318
00:29:25,263 --> 00:29:31,136
Clumps of sand and twigs
are strewn everywhere.
319
00:29:31,136 --> 00:29:32,704
To the tiny insects,
320
00:29:32,704 --> 00:29:35,440
this is the equivalent
of an earthquake
321
00:29:35,440 --> 00:29:37,442
or land slide.
322
00:29:46,652 --> 00:29:48,553
Luckily as a species,
323
00:29:48,553 --> 00:29:52,724
ants have what would seem
to humans like super strength.
324
00:30:02,634 --> 00:30:04,603
Some estimates suggest
325
00:30:04,603 --> 00:30:09,541
that ants can lift up to
50 times their own weight.
326
00:30:09,541 --> 00:30:13,545
But will this be enough to clear
what compared to the ants
327
00:30:13,545 --> 00:30:16,815
look like massive fallen trees?
328
00:30:16,815 --> 00:30:18,617
They need to work fast,
329
00:30:18,617 --> 00:30:20,652
because
without the entrance clear
330
00:30:20,652 --> 00:30:24,189
the safety of the colony
is compromised.
331
00:30:49,681 --> 00:30:52,117
It's a Herculean task,
332
00:30:58,890 --> 00:31:01,693
but finally their burrow
entrance is clear enough
333
00:31:01,693 --> 00:31:04,696
that they can
continue with their day.
334
00:31:08,100 --> 00:31:09,768
For these tireless ants,
335
00:31:09,768 --> 00:31:13,472
life in the more extreme parts
of the southern drylands
336
00:31:13,472 --> 00:31:17,309
is made possible
by the hardy grass.
337
00:31:22,447 --> 00:31:24,182
For the elephants,
338
00:31:24,182 --> 00:31:26,518
one of their lifelines
in the desert interior
339
00:31:26,518 --> 00:31:30,622
also comes in the form
of a very special plant.
340
00:31:37,863 --> 00:31:41,767
The Faiderbia Albida,
or Ana tree
341
00:31:41,767 --> 00:31:46,605
is a beacon of support for many
in the driest times of the year.
342
00:31:48,673 --> 00:31:52,444
Its long roots push down
as far as 260 feet
343
00:31:52,444 --> 00:31:54,479
to reach deep groundwater,
344
00:31:54,479 --> 00:31:56,248
allowing them to grow big
345
00:31:56,248 --> 00:31:59,785
and produce nutritious
green leaves and seed pods.
346
00:32:01,686 --> 00:32:03,421
This happens in August,
347
00:32:03,421 --> 00:32:07,392
late winter
in the southern drylands
348
00:32:07,392 --> 00:32:11,163
and a time
when most trees are dormant.
349
00:32:13,298 --> 00:32:15,167
It's now that the Ana tree
350
00:32:15,167 --> 00:32:20,105
drops its large,
nutrient dense seed pods.
351
00:32:20,105 --> 00:32:23,341
The seeds are one of the reasons
the elephants have made
352
00:32:23,341 --> 00:32:28,146
the long journey to the area
from the desert interior.
353
00:32:28,146 --> 00:32:31,316
For them even the exposed root
of an Ana tree
354
00:32:31,316 --> 00:32:34,286
can become a potential meal.
355
00:32:40,292 --> 00:32:42,360
But getting it out of the ground
356
00:32:42,360 --> 00:32:44,729
is harder
than it would first appear,
357
00:32:44,729 --> 00:32:48,066
even for Africa's
most powerful mammal.
358
00:32:59,444 --> 00:33:05,684
Try as she might, she can't get
a good grip on the tough root.
359
00:33:29,808 --> 00:33:33,645
Finally she gives up
in a flush of frustration.
360
00:33:50,762 --> 00:33:54,299
The trees also throw
wide covers of shade,
361
00:33:54,299 --> 00:33:56,668
a valuable
resource for the elephants.
362
00:34:02,607 --> 00:34:04,542
They move between the trees,
363
00:34:04,542 --> 00:34:07,445
picking up seed pods
with their dexterous trunks.
364
00:34:15,720 --> 00:34:18,556
Together the herd travels
vast distances
365
00:34:18,556 --> 00:34:22,193
across the southern drylands
in search of water.
366
00:34:30,735 --> 00:34:32,737
Their survival is made possible
367
00:34:32,737 --> 00:34:37,442
by scarce oases of life
in an otherwise barren desert.
368
00:34:47,218 --> 00:34:50,789
There is another animal here
that has a more obvious impact
369
00:34:50,789 --> 00:34:54,492
on the Ana tree.
370
00:34:54,492 --> 00:34:58,296
Their rounded canopies
are trimmed from below,
371
00:34:58,296 --> 00:35:04,235
cut straight as if by the sheers
of a giant gardener.
372
00:35:04,235 --> 00:35:08,239
Indeed there is only one animal
tall enough for the job.
373
00:35:16,514 --> 00:35:20,051
Standing at 18 feet
when fully grown,
374
00:35:20,051 --> 00:35:24,356
the giraffe browses
the lowest reaches of the trees.
375
00:35:31,763 --> 00:35:34,499
It uses
its long prehensile tongue
376
00:35:34,499 --> 00:35:38,670
to grab and pluck the leaves.
377
00:35:38,670 --> 00:35:41,473
But even the tallest
land mammal in the world
378
00:35:41,473 --> 00:35:44,009
sometimes comes up short.
379
00:35:46,711 --> 00:35:48,613
And although a little awkward,
380
00:35:48,613 --> 00:35:52,450
the giraffe won't turn its
nose up at the tasty seed pods
381
00:35:52,450 --> 00:35:55,086
that have fallen to the ground.
382
00:36:01,626 --> 00:36:05,363
Giraffes generally maintain
casual associations,
383
00:36:05,363 --> 00:36:08,066
unlike the more
socially cohesive elephants.
384
00:36:09,801 --> 00:36:12,804
This herd is made up
of mostly females,
385
00:36:12,804 --> 00:36:17,142
with one dominant bull
among them.
386
00:36:17,142 --> 00:36:20,278
Giraffes spend roughly
half their day feeding,
387
00:36:20,278 --> 00:36:25,150
with females taking longer to
select more nutritious foliage.
388
00:36:29,154 --> 00:36:35,794
Between bulls dominance is
decided by seniority and size.
389
00:36:35,794 --> 00:36:37,796
Making this match up
390
00:36:37,796 --> 00:36:39,564
rather uneven.
391
00:36:58,316 --> 00:36:59,818
It's more like play fighting
392
00:36:59,818 --> 00:37:02,487
with a younger brother
for the large bull.
393
00:37:15,700 --> 00:37:18,703
Who's clearly
pulling his punches.
394
00:37:36,488 --> 00:37:39,357
Giraffes are
superb desert dwellers,
395
00:37:39,357 --> 00:37:44,129
getting all the moisture they
need from their food.
396
00:37:44,129 --> 00:37:46,264
But the elephants must drink
397
00:37:46,264 --> 00:37:51,035
and will need to find water soon
or face the risk of dehydration.
398
00:38:08,286 --> 00:38:12,557
Luckily the morning dawns
with a gift from the heavens.
399
00:38:22,534 --> 00:38:26,104
Low in the sky hangs fog
400
00:38:26,104 --> 00:38:29,107
that has crept inland
from the ocean.
401
00:38:31,342 --> 00:38:34,078
It's the very same
life-giving fog
402
00:38:34,078 --> 00:38:37,182
that supports the dune seas
along the coast.
403
00:38:43,555 --> 00:38:47,325
As the sun rises
the fog slowly burns off,
404
00:38:47,325 --> 00:38:51,529
but not before being caught
by a very clever tree.
405
00:38:58,303 --> 00:39:02,240
It looks out of place with its
verdant, pine like shape,
406
00:39:02,240 --> 00:39:06,411
but the Tamarisk tree is an
accomplished desert survivor.
407
00:39:08,112 --> 00:39:13,318
The Tamarisk uses a special
trick to catch the fog.
408
00:39:13,318 --> 00:39:17,155
By producing a layer of salt
on its leaves overnight
409
00:39:17,155 --> 00:39:19,157
the tree attracts moisture,
410
00:39:19,157 --> 00:39:22,493
which keeps it cool
and well-watered.
411
00:39:31,302 --> 00:39:34,105
Its high moisture
and mineral content
412
00:39:34,105 --> 00:39:36,407
make it a favorite
of the elephants.
413
00:39:39,177 --> 00:39:41,246
But it's not going to be enough
414
00:39:41,246 --> 00:39:44,349
to keep them going for long
in this heat.
415
00:39:50,054 --> 00:39:54,525
As the day progresses
temperatures rise sharply.
416
00:40:05,303 --> 00:40:08,606
For the younger elephants
the heat is exhausting.
417
00:40:18,650 --> 00:40:20,518
The adults cannot lie down
418
00:40:20,518 --> 00:40:24,722
without risk of crushing
their internal organs.
419
00:40:25,857 --> 00:40:28,593
Rather they take dust baths,
420
00:40:28,593 --> 00:40:31,296
which help protect their skin
from the sun
421
00:40:31,296 --> 00:40:33,364
and biting parasites.
422
00:40:40,705 --> 00:40:44,742
Driven on by thirst,
they must keep moving.
423
00:40:51,249 --> 00:40:54,118
Desert elephants are the same
species as those
424
00:40:54,118 --> 00:40:56,387
found throughout Africa -
425
00:40:56,387 --> 00:40:59,223
Loxodonta Africana.
426
00:41:02,260 --> 00:41:05,663
But these have become
desert adapted over time,
427
00:41:05,663 --> 00:41:07,365
with only slight changes
428
00:41:07,365 --> 00:41:11,035
in their features
and characteristics.
429
00:41:13,137 --> 00:41:17,108
Their legs are slightly longer
in proportion to their bodies,
430
00:41:17,108 --> 00:41:18,676
with wider foot pads,
431
00:41:18,676 --> 00:41:21,646
better suited
for walking on the soft sand.
432
00:41:25,283 --> 00:41:28,519
They're also said to be able
to go for longer periods
433
00:41:28,519 --> 00:41:31,622
without water
than savanna elephants.
434
00:41:39,230 --> 00:41:43,267
Even so, it's been several days
since they drank
435
00:41:43,267 --> 00:41:45,336
and they are parched.
436
00:41:46,871 --> 00:41:51,843
The matriarch
has led them out into the open.
437
00:41:51,843 --> 00:41:54,645
But she has done so
with good reason.
438
00:42:09,160 --> 00:42:12,797
Here, finally
they've found water at a spring
439
00:42:12,797 --> 00:42:14,999
that wells up from the depths.
440
00:42:21,139 --> 00:42:23,374
The herd drinks deeply now,
441
00:42:23,374 --> 00:42:28,780
with adults able to gulp down
as much as 40 gallons at a time.
442
00:42:40,324 --> 00:42:42,093
Then in the distance
443
00:42:42,093 --> 00:42:43,694
figures emerge.
444
00:42:48,266 --> 00:42:51,135
The bulls have arrived.
445
00:43:05,416 --> 00:43:08,453
The herd welcomes
the two biggest of their kind
446
00:43:08,453 --> 00:43:12,523
with a tenderness characteristic
of these noble giants.
447
00:43:22,500 --> 00:43:28,372
These bulls are no doubt father
and brother to many of the herd.
448
00:43:30,475 --> 00:43:32,477
The coming together
of the family
449
00:43:32,477 --> 00:43:36,581
is a rare and special happening.
450
00:43:36,581 --> 00:43:41,752
With the usually solitary bulls
arriving to drink as if on cue.
451
00:43:55,433 --> 00:43:58,669
Once the elephants have quenched
their collective thirst
452
00:43:58,669 --> 00:44:01,639
they walk off together,
453
00:44:01,639 --> 00:44:05,443
disappearing slowly
in to the desert.
454
00:44:07,645 --> 00:44:10,581
Their journey
is a never ending march,
455
00:44:10,581 --> 00:44:14,352
as constant as the movement
of the sun across the sky
456
00:44:14,352 --> 00:44:16,387
in this great desert.
457
00:44:37,375 --> 00:44:41,612
These drylands of southern
Africa have been wrought by time
458
00:44:41,612 --> 00:44:46,384
into magnificent landscapes
of sand and stone.
459
00:44:50,388 --> 00:44:53,591
They may be
stark and perilous,
460
00:44:54,859 --> 00:44:57,762
but are filled with wild wonder.
461
00:45:03,100 --> 00:45:04,769
Across their reaches
462
00:45:04,769 --> 00:45:11,542
examples of nature's most
startling ingenuity abound.
463
00:45:11,542 --> 00:45:16,981
These characters have evolved
to be hardy and desert-adapted.
464
00:45:23,187 --> 00:45:28,993
And thus exist with consummate
skill where others would perish.
465
00:45:32,196 --> 00:45:34,298
For only a special few
466
00:45:34,298 --> 00:45:38,135
can make a home
in the most extreme of places:
467
00:45:43,407 --> 00:45:49,413
The Southern Drylands.
468
00:45:50,815 --> 00:45:55,820
♪♪
469
00:45:55,820 --> 00:45:59,824
♪♪
470
00:45:59,824 --> 00:46:02,760
♪♪
471
00:46:02,760 --> 00:46:07,765
♪♪
472
00:46:07,765 --> 00:46:10,968
♪♪
37261
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