The Scary World of Creepy Crawlies | BBC Earth

The dark depths of these forests are home to a world full of creepy crawlies, from ants who devour an entire slug while still alive, to all other kinds of spooky midnight feasts...
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Welcome to BBC EARTH! The world is an amazing place full of stories, beauty and natural wonder. Here you'll find 50 years worth of entertaining and thought-provoking natural history content. Dramatic, rare, and exclusive, nature doesn't get more exciting than this.
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00:00 Ants Devour Slug Alive
04:04 Periodical Cicadas Overrun the Forest
07:51 Rare Giant Snail Feasts on Earthworm
10:39 Bombardier Beetle Sprays Acid From its Rear
14:20 Spider Dances For His Life
18:19 Swarm Of Locusts Devour Everything in Their Path
21:48 Ants Rip Queen's Legs Off
29:17 Giant Hornets Massacre Yellow Hornets
33:10 Stag Beetle Throws Girlfriend Out Of Tree
37:02 Tusked Weta Vs Foraging Pig

[@systemshocker2875]

11:22 i still cant get over the fact that this beetle jist kicks the ants like footballs here

[@shameikasmith2910]

😂😂😂😂

[@Tribozom]

TWO POINTS!

[@mikeveis6393]

Sir David Attenborough is the best wildlife narrator. He's 97 years old and still going strong

[@shatteredsentient5321]

Any day now too

[@Sacrificed_marder3]

Daym he’s 97

[@apekshatiwari9290]

I didn’t know this fact. This is amazing.

[@flavianofloris4459]

34:05 the best story ever... I mean this guy after the "work" just knocked down the lady 😂 unbelivable😂😂😂

[@jeffreykushner6973]

How do they get footage inside these antholes. You guys deserve so much credit

[@MrQuestful]

In the documentary series “life in the undergrowth” they show how they record insects with fiber optics cameras. It’s pretty neat

[@nightlightabcd]

Even the sound of the insets scurrying across the ground!

[@liyo182]

thats just added in post@@nightlightabcd

[@lee32uk]

They just strap a go-pro to the back of an ant 😀

[@sava-smth]

​@@nightlightabcdsounds are most likely a post-production sound editing

[@davidvento5481]

*The Stag Beetle’s “Four F” motto;* Find ‘em, Feel ‘em, F__k ‘em & FLING ‘EM! 😂

[@curtstan2389]

Haha, nice variation on the old adage!

[@CittizinKane]

That beetle just kicking those ants at 11:40 is perfect ❤😂

[@Tribozom]

TWO POINTS!

[@gopalroy9139]

Kudos to Ant cameraman who decided to record this whole event for us and also missed the whole feast in doing so....

[@kamrulin1543]

These documentaries are phenomenal

[@markmuller7962]

Cicada:"Can I go to school mom?" Mom cicada:"Nope, you're the feeding-predators sibling"

[@michaelhart7569]

I think the BBC missed an opportunity here. The importance of 17 was missed: It's a 'relatively' large Prime Number. Some predators might also have breeding cycles longer than one year. The number 17 is a number than cannot be relied upon by any predator with a breeding cycle of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 etc years. But 15, 16 or 18 years would make them more vulnerable to two or more of these much shorter cycles. Yes, a breeding cycle of 1 year catches everything, but they generally cannot afford to wait 17 years for a big meal. The fascinating question is how did Cicadas evolve to for their biology to count up to 17? (and why not 11 or 13?) The BBC didn't try to explain.

[@abcdef-qk6jf]

In the US there are different types. They all follow their own prime number of set of years. The why not is exactly what Nature thought

[@malialutualofi7857]

The stag beetle is hilarious. Just throws her off after he was done with her like, "Well thanks for everything girl. Time to get off my tree now." 😂😂

[@curtislavallee8444]

That shiiiiite Cracked me up,lol

[@shatteredsentient5321]

"She kills him anyways" Spider life is tough

[@apekshatiwari9290]

hehehhe

[@mohammedaiyaad4546]

Surah Ankabut (The Spider) verse 41 .. The parable of those who take protectors other than Allah is that of the spider, who builds (to itself) a house; but truly the flimsiest of houses is the spider's house;- if they but knew. ...

[@sonofeyeabovealleffoff5462]

​@@mohammedaiyaad4546 None here care about Allah. We came to this video to watch nature. Rotten deity anyway. The human race was doomed the minute we came up with monotheism.

[@KamKam8383]

That lizard mimicking the beetle 😂😂

[@swizzler8053]

I felt sorry for that snail in the beginning but damn he held it's own.

[@cargoraygaming9274]

How are u so dumb to think that’s a snail? The video said many times it’s a slug and the lack of a shell should tell you that 🤦‍♀️

[@alexmotts]

Def surprised at the defense system being able to goo them up. Did not see that coming

[@JasonB808]

This amazing documentary clips made me feel sorry for a slug, root for a cute jumping spider looking for love, be totally in awe of warring ants and wasps with battle scenes better than any period drama. 🤩

[@ktkilntime1586]

Right? And the poor ant gets eaten in the end. I guess there are worse ways to go -He had one last hurrah!

[@3winanimal]

The defensive stance of the king cobra was menacing, but it's a bit problematic to find fascination in such deadly creatures, right?

[@johnrudy9404]

The time, work, patience to get these videos/films is beyond me. Thank you film crew, everyone.

[@curtstan2389]

You ain't a kiddin'! Can you imagine all the work (and equipment) that went into the Stag Beetle video? The footage showing the beetles tree climbing POV required a camera attached to a cable with a pulley. All the shots of defeated beetles, sailing back to the (re)starting point, must have taken a few days, as those weren't just different shots of the same beetle cruisin' downward! Nope, those are all different beetles! Lots of competition for the one girl - she must be a real honey, from a bug-eyed perspective! I can't see it... I mean, she's nice looking, and all, but no Venus de Buglio, IMO...

[@paradox7358]

Jeez. Slugs do everything slow, even death.

[@chrissnape9537]

I live half the year in Canada and half in Thailand just outside Chaing Mai. The Cicadas bloomed about 5 years ago, what a racket. There were millions dead on the roads, our driveway was full. My wife had never experienced this either. When it first started it was alarming

[@3winanimal]

Seeing the playful but fierce interactions of the otters was cute, however, should we be entertained by their mock battles?

[@jeffpetrie7744]

*Incredible* video footage of crazy creatures!! Love it. Thank you. 👍🏼

[@samanthapatrick4345]

The Female Jumping Spider was probably saying will you keep still

[@bbcearth]

Creepy crawlies are everywhere, which one do you find the creepiest?

[@mattfischer8996]

Spiders African Beatles they shoot things out of their ass no thanks

[@felixbaumgartner5474]

Probably centipedes, Scutigera in particular, they are very creepy and very crawly too

[@Secret_Takodachi]

​@@felixbaumgartner5474 For me it's gotta be scolopendra but hey nice to see we're ok the same wavelength! 😂

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

Female trapdoor spiders in Western Australia that can live over 40 years. And an over 20 year old female tree funnel web in the north of New South Wales in Australia that a guy has been visiting for 2 decades in the same tree is also a good candidate. Not so much creepy, just amazing!

[@guitarstars8527]

The ones that my autistic daughter 'deconstructs' and puts in my bed 😳

[@brahmburgers]

Excellent footage and narration. Thanks!

[@SorenNido]

11:42 This part is very amazing

[@weidwingelobjegdiv]

The snail eating the worm man... that was the hardest thing to watch, imagined the worm inside the snail wigling around bahhh.. 6000 teeths is amazing tho

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

9:41 that thing is a monster

[@amoghverma3108]

It's all beautiful till the time it doesn't step inside our house!

[@MrKlyrix]

Amazing camera angles. Awesome footage!

[@user-qb7hp6yr7u]

At this moment of the video 11:32 The narrator says “The valiant ants drive him off into real danger : Amongus” 😂😂😂

[@randomhunter47]

* a mongoose

[@user-qb7hp6yr7u]

@@randomhunter47 I know

[@Tribozom]

Or the ATV.

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

5:40 music to my ears. you should listen too! 👍🏼

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

24:58 this is why you should NEVER mess with an ant pile

[@adnanbinabdullah9615]

Listening to narration by Sir David makes me wonder what a marvellous achievement by a man of his age! May he keep going strong n healthy!

[@Yggdrasil-cd9zg]

Thanks, for sharing❤

[@rondanorris5504]

I'm so grossed out. Poor little slug 🐛 bug. Poor thing. So sad

[@cargoraygaming9274]

It’s not sad the ants have to eat.

[@minhtue90]

Without the ants the slugs will overrun the forests ~

[@WetAdek]

I'm not. It's nature and it's normal

[@davidfitcher2953]

The intelligence of the ants is stunning

[@zondor8123]

Some believed that the next civilization that Evolves after humans will be ants or orcas and we would be the elders race to them 😂

[@TheHoggcast]

@@zondor8123 it'd be neither so long as a single primate species survive our destruction.

[@bloodclaat]

It's more collective intelligence, 1 single ant can't really do anything revolutionary but 1 human can.

[@supert9114]

''He matched her expectations but she kills him anyway'' 18:00

[@maryserrano6448]

Absolutely amazing, kudos, to the BBC crew, they do great work in filming these amazing insects.

[@JJONNYREPP]

The Scary World of Creepy Crawlies | BBC Earth. 12.11.23. I reckon that an evertonian bloke who kept normal run of the mill UK garden snails in captivity would have succeeded in growing said snail to the size of his fist....easy.

[@3winanimal]

The power struggle between the eagles was majestic, however, it's a bit contentious, right?

[@JJONNYREPP]

@@3winanimal ???????????????????? you mean the rock band?

[@niennordeild4389]

Here in my country we have the cicadas every year, during spring. Hail from Brazil ✌

[@MissLisaBabyx]

So fascinating 😊

[@FieldDay-cj3tv]

I've come to love the creepy crawlers

[@franktuckwell196]

Absolutely fascinating stuff. I would like to see a programme about the scorpians living in a wall in Sheerness.

[@lianefehrle9921]

Bugs are so lovingly creepy

[@Auf_ein_Wort]

i stuck here for watching BBC Earth Docus!!!!! Wonderful and Brilliant. Awesome and cruel at once! What Pictures the Filmmakers deliver is amazing! Kisses and hugs to all of the Filmmakers and Crews that make this possible! For sure, without you we never see that wildlife and with your informations of this creatures you complete knowledge in a serious way. Should be shown in Schools, help teachers to train kids and students to make Earth a better place! We need that understanding to do well and for knowing how we should protect our world! At the end i just wanna say: Many, many Thanks (from a German Fan) to you.

[@XD-ve4ui]

11:43 **insert funny popular videogame character**

[@tonybelarmin8004]

Thanks the info.

[@slitheringswamp5352]

Look at them...They're just amazing little animals

[@InfoSupply-zu7gp]

Amazing!

[@saenity]

the spider one i’m cryinggghg

[@ShivuCN]

Extraordinary...❤❤

[@bobhoven3959]

Beautiful as raw nature, beautiful fillempt❤

[@Cheebie_108]

36:54 why did he do that?? 😂 yeet

[@Kavee_3]

Love that dancing guy though, looks like my best friend trying to impress his crush

[@experssion123]

He did all that work then threw her ass out the tree. 😂😂😂

[@footfault1941]

Yes, scary enough for Halloween!

[@jeffreykushner6973]

What an insight on what mother nature has created way beyond our everyday hustle bustle of life, work, family, and leisure. Amazing ❤️‍🩹

[@nathancomixproductions466]

10:39 My favorite!

[@TS-1267]

... @ 17:20... " I WANT SNOO SNOO... "… 🕷️

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

5:07 wow! 🫢 those are a lot of cicadas

[@keithfaulk1354]

Very interesting !!❤

[@almightyyt2101]

The dedication thís team of documentary film makers show is simply incredible - the way all the separate elements come together to produce such amazing results makes me proud of my ppl, the hoomon race

[@jacksugden8190]

Better check my bed tonight for creepy crawlers

[@Tata_mic7]

Human beings are more creeper than this 🤧

[@kevin-n-darlenef301]

Very nice show

[@eaglesfight]

Really lively

[@ChimeraActual]

More about the Devil Riders, please. I have them in my yard, but unfortunately I'm not BBC Earth, and don't know much about them.

[@saphonax]

good luck is all i can say

[@Reve_Hyrulier]

First 3 mins terrified me 😮

[@92jeeprhett]

I never thought i would be afraid of a snail before.

[@GrantJohnston-dr9rt]

Run slug run!

[@apekshatiwari9290]

I’m watching this to distract myself from thinking about my ex 😂

[@Markelloreal]

Nothing shall help you mate, be a man, face it. You didn't find yourself at the dump. You're better than these.

[@duanechism273]

Hit the gym instead

[@NiceDude24]

Ik that feeling my homie🤝🏼

[@apekshatiwari9290]

@@duanechism273 Thanks! I’m gonna do that as well. But, at midnight when I’m wide awake, BBC nature videos help.

[@apekshatiwari9290]

@@Markelloreal Thanks, bro!

[@-_E-_]

ayo that slug put up a damn good fight though

[@cherylpurdue888]

I love the spider dance

[@antoniovolpativolpati7613]

Excelente!!

[@kamilg5368]

ta jaszczura udająca chrząszcza jest zajebista :)

[@TruthSurge]

Mr. Cicada..... THIS is your LIFE! You were born 17 years ago, spent all 17 of them underground doing nothing but sucking tree roots until that great day when you dug out and climbed up that huge tree. Then you mated and died 3 days later. What a great life! What a great god we worship!

[@pedrord19]

Arthropods are freakin' amazing !!!

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

Hell yeahh!!!

[@mariekatherine5238]

We’re due this year for our cicadas. What a life! Awaken, crawl out of the ground up a tree. Make loud noises, mate, lay eggs, go back underground.

[@DrprofessorFrancis]

I read a neat theory that part of how locust swarms move could be because of cannibalism, there's a constant fleeing and chasing that causes them to all move together

[@user-ld7yw1vy5t]

14:9 literally me sharting at 3 am

[@MrPun-yf5vv]

That beetle 🪲 kicks send ants flying was hilarious 😂

[@Tribozom]

TWO POINTS!

[@grandselenium296]

Dudes out here living like a stag beetle

[@elpirata5468]

so cool🐛

[@andreyquinoa7300]

36:54 - as a follover, I've already seen it, but it's still funn, this dude is incredibly brutal=)

[@saltymisfit6566]

Not sure what's so amazing about the bombardier beetle. I experience the same thing after an all you can eat ghost pepper wing night 😂

[@christineMaccallum-uo3qx]

Scary world of creepy crawly and more stories

[@mariekatherine5238]

That beetle is like a guy with a flamethrower!

[@katleeBalboaStJulian]

The beetle fighting his way to female is so romantic

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

...That ain't it chief.

[@liana.chawngthu]

Hmuhnawm khawp mai👍🏿👍🏿

[@kallettemika7308]

15:20 when that praying mantis side eyes the spider on his way to the female 👀 😂😂😂 he was like "I know you saw your boys body over there... shes not even cute" 🙄

[@TruthSurge]

21:48 That's not a gruesome heading at all! Hey kids! Come watch this!

[@trackofpakistan]

How do you take footage inside these holes you guys deserve so much credit

[@frankcotten]

I remember before kindergarten when I was very small I had a baby sitter missy. She was maybe the most prolific person when It came to swearing and being crazy. I found a giant zebra slug and I was studying it and she walked up and instantly stomped it under her foot. It really really really upset me, one second I have a slug friend and the next second it's splattered. I haven't thought of that In a very long time.

[@kycutecool5891]

I can't believe I'm crying over a lizard copying a beetle's gait 😭

[@alltimegoatc.ronaldobestmoment]

Respect to camera that took these footage

[@minzinmyo]

when ants wield soil for slug slime as a tool,this next level shit blow my mind.

[@ryanquick1824]

would ABSOLUTELY LOVE Ze Frank to voiceover the entirety of this video.

[@sethheier7548]

George Page is my favorite narrator, Lorne Greene is 2nd and then David Keith is 3rd in my list.

[@KatiTheButcher]

I will watch when Im not trying to sleep lol

[@frieza_da_goat]

17:81 at this point it looks like he's just taunting her

[@TruthSurge]

6:40 boyaaaa, times are GOOD! Get them cicada on the grill, Bobby! It's BBQ TIME!!!!

[@TruthSurge]

29:19 got that title a bit backwards, I'd say, given the outcome.

[@phasm42]

The cicadas 😅

[@briantaulbee6452]

There for a minute, I thought that slug was gonna win.

[@fluffyclouds2729]

Ohh no ! i watch this before sleep....😦...but it is to creapy interesting 🤓