Life in the Undergrowth
Take a trip through an amazing universe without even stepping off of the ground as host David Attenborough explores the lives of the planet's most fascinating insects in a documentary that utilizes advanced technology to prove that in the wondrous world of nature, size is but a matter of perspective. From swarms of desert locusts to living, breathing mountains comprised entirely of cockroaches, these worlds are often a strange combination of the bizarre and sublime.
In addition to offering a closer look at these fascinating microscopic wonders themselves, Attenborough and filmmakers also explore the lives and habits of the insect world in a manner never before available to filmmakers.
By getting up close and personal with Life in the Undergrowth, this extraordinary BBC series sets a new standard of excellence in wildlife cinematography. Hosted by veteran nature expert David Attenborough and utilizing the latest advances in macrophotography, the five-part series is dedicated to bugs of all shapes and sizes, from microscopic gnats to cave-dwelling millipedes so large they can capture bats in mid-flight and feast for hours thereafter!
All these little creatures live such complicated lives I cant help but wonder where they learn their skills. Ants and bees have each other to learn from but what about the loners ? Do they just wander around until they bump into something that triggers a response, are they programmed with their parents knowledge ? Obviously they don't have time to experiment, they'd die. I can see that they left to hatch in places where food might be which means they are more than likely to meet the opposite sex, but its the details. How do they know how to woo each other, how does a spider know its a bolas spider and needs to make that particular web.
I'm sure it's inaccurate, but a while back this (simple enough) analogy occurred to me: They're pretty much just software, idle unless the environment, or their genes, taps an instruction into them, after which they are able to execute that instruction, but no more.
(Did you get the name of my city before I deleted it?)
Yep, had a look. There's a factory there I'd like to see. And a lovely river. Back to the spiders, I'm thinking there must be more males that females, really they only need to use him once and after that he's pointless, why breed with the same one again? So rather than waste him you might as well eat him, its her way of making sure he helps raise the kids - child support :)
1 episode in and loving it already :)
I love this documentary! The high quality macro photography makes the simplest insect actions interesting to watch. Plus there is a wealth of information that is really fascinating. Very re-watchable!
Truly a fantastic series! I've made it through "silk spinners" successfully. One or two a night spreads out the enjoyment. You just have to remember the numbers if you can't read Chinese.
5/5
specialized documentary on arthropoda in 5 parts,
great pictures, sticks to more than average information.
exceptional and a must see.
last year attenborough also provided "life in cold blood",
another 5 part series specialized in amphibians and reptiles.