Forest Floor Ecosystem in a Jar │ Creating a Closed Native Terrarium

In this video we build a new terrarium. I've been getting a lot of comments on how to create invertebrate terrariums recently, mainly on my 12 year old terrarium video. In this video I show the process within a UK Oak forest.
The oak forest is lush with vegetation and invertebrates therefore it seemed a perfect place to build the terrarium. Various plant species were used in order to encourage biodiversity.
I was surprised by just how many invertebrates were hiding in the soil and hitchhiked in on the plants. I knew there would be some, but not at the scale I discovered. I didn't even record every species present within this terrarium as many of them either ran too fast for the camera to focus or i spotted when my camera wasn't with me.
Other species such as fungus gnats, spiders, beetle larvae, nematodes and aphids are some of the other species I've seen in this terrarium. I just didn't get any good footage of them for this video.
0:00 - Introduction
0:25 - Adding Drainage Layer
0:59 - Adding Substrate
1:39 - Adding Wood
2:31 - Adding Plants
3:50 - Exploring The Finished Terrarium
12:10 - Outro

[@Jartopia]

I got a lot of questions about how to create a terrarium so figured I'd make a video on the process. Thank you all for 50K+ subscribers! I absolutely love making these videos and it's fantastic that people across the world enjoy what I do. I feel like I'm building a great community on this channel and can't wait to see what the future holds. Hope you guys enjoy the video. Plenty more on the way!

[@dylangoddard7449]

Imagine you get enough subs to do this full time! Your job would be awsome just building terrariums and editing vids, similar to ants Canada.

[@dog6413]

You actually inspired me to get started on a terrarium, I’ve always been interested in this kind of stuff, and after seeing the great community and help for it I’ve decided to go for it. Thank you so much man! Keep up the great work

[@ricardohernandezsalas8659]

This is lovable thanks!

[@sriharish8421]

Thank you, i would love to see a video on how to make a terrarium

[@williamedwards8140]

Amazing video, so helpful! I’ve tried making terrariums before but none of them survived for that long, do you have any key advice especially in making a forest floor one like this?

[@bingchilling7900]

Creating terrariams should be a thing schools do for science class. It would cool if every student made a terrarium and study it as time progresses

[@Herhighness211]

This is the reason that I’m here. Homeschooling my guy for 5th grade next year. Hope to create a terrarium with him when we visit our local trail in fall.

[@yoshino2880]

then when u r nearly at ur end u open the jar and leave it there

[@rewargaming]

I did it in like 2 grade in germany

[@dobeus8957]

We did it in 6th grade class called earth science…this was late 60s early 70s. We were lucky as we graduated before all the cutbacks and defunding of schools in the USA.

[@ireland66613]

Why your cat have cigar shoved in his mouth ?

[@mtoffo2275]

the apex predator in the terrarium: "Sometimes I wonder if we live in a simulation"

[@windinglotus711]

I can’t be the only one that’s relaxed by this.

[@kendradupree1094]

no it's very relaxing ( this is cool, but it makes almost fall asleep sitting up

[@DedMan516]

I feel the same, going to try making one myself to help with mindfulness.

[@ATWurbex]

I have an anxiety disorder an I approve, it reminds me when I was a kid, watching insects in the garden of my parents. Nothing to worry about, just having fun watching spiders eating some stuff

[@omniwn5745]

Imagine the luck of this beetle... it has just gone from near the bottom of most food chains to being an impenetrable apex predator...

[@alxndrmzksm8387]

Too bad it's gonna die a virgin cause it has no mate

[@frowner_and_co]

@@alxndrmzksm8387 won't we all.

[@AndreasNilsson96]

@@frowner_and_co hahaahha

[@alxndrmzksm8387]

@@frowner_and_co time will tell, I'm still young and have many years ahead of me

[@imjustaguy4340]

@@alxndrmzksm8387 ooooof i dident think about that, at least it dosent understand the consept of virgenity, only feels it

[@alexandredevert4935]

The garlic snail is magnificent, I hope it will do fine in there

[@valiang8867]

It's oddly adorable

[@Ignorethis12345]

I made a make shift terrarium for a snail when I was in 4th grade. He did really well until i forgot to water the plants. (It wasn't air tight)

[@madisonstephens5945]

He’s blue too! So pretty!

[@vtian]

man, i can't wait to finally make some garlic bread

[@jcwzolo]

I'm rooting for that snail 🐌

[@AAAAAA-nw1tx]

I like how right when the video says "as far as I know, it is the apex predator in the terrarium" you can see a bug running away behind it

[@andy-r5629]

It looks like there was a small centipede behind/beneath it also at 11:45ish

[@tas6002]

I read bunny instead of bug 😂

[@DavidB0000]

"Black Clock Beetle" man, did I read that wrong lol

[@kiryu4708]

S(h)ame

[@ajpidlaoan642]

You never know, it might be a miss spell

[@gretafatberg7630]

we all know what you are into

[@hervymarquezgarcia1079]

Big Bad Black Clock Beetle is in town as the Apex predator

[@Varangian_af_Scaniae]

@@hervymarquezgarcia1079 They always are.

[@user-hu6pk3zs3i]

i can't believe that there's that much animal life in one or two scoops of dirt boggles the mind makes me think how i've never noticed them when digging in dirt as a kid

[@robasiansensation3118]

there was much life in the dirt, but also- under the bark of the wood, in the leaf litter, in the water if it's taken locally. so. much. fun.

[@SphynxCrochet]

It's almost a little suspicious that one or two scoops of dirt had THAT many creatures.... almost as if most of them were planted there...

[@Rahvanteli]

@@SphynxCrochet There's a ton of eggs and stuff in there

[@lucaslaurindo8830]

Some are so small

[@crossedbones5512]

@@SphynxCrochet i believe he just picked wood and leafs with creatures on them :)

[@chatonn4793]

"hitchhiked" it's called kidnapping sir

[@gearblue89]

I prefer the term “surprise adoption”.

[@eddiemartinez1171]

Potato potatoe

[@mightymorphingmemory6178]

Lmao kidnapping... *sticks worm on hook to kidnap a fish*

[@manumaster1990]

Exactly! Leave the creature be! You asshole.

[@gobbledygook5000]

@@manumaster1990 Uhuh. Do you eat meat?

[@dashap4947]

Why would anybody want to skip the creation process? It’s so peaceful and relaxing to watch!

[@misterskeleton_yt7854]

The whole class: stomping on bugs The quiet kid:

[@misterskeleton_yt7854]

@@shawesomeshclll8112 and when I was a kid I was known as consumer if souls

[@sherlockgold5234]

Lmao I have a whole container of worms and ants and snails I’m known as the quiet kid

[@mothcorrupteth]

Everyone's doing their part. Are you? The war effort needs your effort: at work, at home, in your community. Because the only good bug is a dead bug.

[@blllllllllllllllllllrlrlrl7059]

@@mothcorrupteth damn right

[@myguy6762]

@@shawesomeshclll8112 are you still at school?

[@word2believe]

Terrariums have made me appreciate God's creations more from small critters to small plants that often get overlooked and ignored, there's beauty in it and i love the Lord and appreciate his creations more deeply, the glass jar also helped me understand the firmament more, praise the Lord for such wonderful things, i just pray humans stop filling their minds with sin, hatred and corruption over power and focused more on God and all the wonderful things he made for us to do and enjoy. Thanks for the video👍, Jesus bless you. 🙏

[@jacky4333]

This was awesome! I didn’t want this video to end. Your videos are so educational. I want to build one myself now!

[@peirceical7803]

Tell me when you finish so you can get back to this video

[@arfur5696]

Those isopods are the same species as the isopods in the 12 year old terrarium but look visibly different!

[@Wesz808]

I have a massive colony (do you call it that way?) in my front yard. It seems they change both color and size sometimes. Is this because of breeding with other species or food related? I'm a newbie so I don't know. But it's nice to see. Sadly my garden is the only paradise for insects on the whole street.

[@astralityyy]

Wesz808 rip

[@thea_kober]

@@Wesz808 some isopods have different colors depending on their age, the older ones are usually darker

[@CaioRodrigues001]

Maybe the 12 year old evolved (:

[@potatoman7760]

Caio Rodrigues not evolution, but maybe due to diet or inbreeding, they have different pigments or have mutated.

[@cheyennemurphy2984]

It's amazing how much life there is all around us! By doing this you have allowed us the opportunity to observe these species with which we take for granted. How magnificent thank you!

[@SoulshaBoy]

Finally, someone using a jar for good and not evil.

[@alxndrmzksm8387]

*cough* *cough* anime girl figurine in a jar *cough* *cough*

[@frowner_and_co]

@@alxndrmzksm8387 anime sucks

[@alxndrmzksm8387]

@@frowner_and_co we all got our own tastes, my dude

[@strikermodel]

It's amazing how life finds a way, even contained in a sealed jar.

[@katicasey4610]

If you think about it, the earth is also a kind of sealed ecosystem, only on a much larger scale.

[@ed4wg380]

Since it's movements are very mechanical and ordered, I find "Clock Beetle" very fitting.

[@Disciple_of_God.]

It makes sense.

[@frowner_and_co]

I thought it was clock beetle without the l

[@SavannahBurris]

I think it's so cool that an organism seemingly as simple as a beetle will have a "home" that it returns to. Absolutely incredible. These ecosystems seem so interesting! It might be fun to try making one of my own sometime.

[@RelateGREAT]

I’ve just watched about 10 of your videos this morning. These are one of the best things on the Internet. Thank you for making them for us.

[@caseylabelle1128]

True words…

[@daltoritheashamed1806]

*Jartopia casually mentions having an apex predator in their house.* Friend: "What! How can you be so nonchalant saying that!?" Jar: "...it is a beetle."

[@narxes]

Yeah, haha. When we hear the words apex predator we usually think tiger, lion, polar bear or Tyrannosaurus Rex, when in reality, even a predatory mite can be the apex predator in certain environments.

[@solar0wind]

How much water did you add? You didn't show... Also, do you think it will be possible for you to create a bigger ecosphere that has both land and water? That would be so cool! I don't think you can do that with a jar, but maybe with some sort of a terrarium.

[@ERJO-xi9pd]

Yes i want to see that

[@mrsqueak4837]

Uhm, you do know that a terrarium is for terrestrial life, as in things that live on land. I'm pretty sure you don't add water to that. Also, that would be pretty cool to see, but probably even more work. Let's hope he does.

[@solar0wind]

@@mrsqueak4837 Well something that size. I don't even know how he would separate land and water anyway. Maybe he'd need to use a bowl or something although that would be far from ideal.

[@jamesbrown3642]

So, an ecosphere containing both land and water biomes is called a Paludarium. It is possible to do this in a jar but the hard part is separating land and water for drainage, so aquarium tanks generally work better. As for how much water - I have a terrarium (closed and sealed) where all my isopods just keeled over an died in one night, and I assume it is because they ran out of water to filter through their gills... Getting water right is hard as you need both dry and damp places I a terrestrial ecosystem with animals, but my strategy now is basically to keep adding water every now and then until my plants are bigger and most of the wood etc. Which soaks up water has rotted down. Really, so long as there isn't too much water, your plants and animals should be fine.

[@ERJO-xi9pd]

@@jamesbrown3642 yea i just watch a video about Paludarium and... yea its little bit complicated

[@bron0726]

So your telling me that if I scoop some dirt and sticks, there will be this many creatures???

[@username48286]

Falx not necessarily fortnite boy...

[@bron0726]

Cryptanic honestly I haven’t played in a year just haven’t got around to changing it

[@bron0726]

Cryptanic also what do you mean by not necessarily

[@one_armed_psycho7480]

@@bron0726 well its a random chance lmfao and depends on where you live in the world, I'm pretty sure you could if you actually tried it out

[@ObscuraAbyssus]

@@bron0726 You will get some centipedes, woodlouse and earth worms most likely if you were to scoop up a good amount of moist soil alone, for Harvestmen you can just find them hanging out behind any dark crevices in the garden, these all apply to most UK Gardens

[@heatherblankenship7958]

There's something soothing about watching this. I've subscribed!

[@Dylan-cs3ke]

I’m from California soon to be moving too Tennessee planning on making one of these when I get up there! These videos inspire me everytime I see them thank you for making my day better everytime you upload

[@Dylan-cs3ke]

🥺😃😃😁 u hearted my comment thank you so much that legit made my day

[@trevorphillips3715]

you should make it from the cali soil so you can take a little piece of home w you

[@Dylan-cs3ke]

Trevor Phillips good idea! :D

[@Dylan-cs3ke]

Ps thank you

[@trevorphillips3715]

@@Dylan-cs3ke Rock on

[@p.v.lonoikeassa6419]

11:44 i love how he check the cave like "hmm, i wonder whats in here"

[@crosisofborg5524]

The garlic snail is beautiful. Such colors.

[@hoogiesimports]

It’s amazing how much life can be found in such a small piece of earth.

[@Camaika1997]

I love how the individuals there already define homes and territories, even at this scale!

[@pold3315]

I don't know why, but this video makes me feel super nostalgic and moved.

[@Zer-db1bp]

I love this hobby so much. It makes me feel like a kid again

[@Cruxity_YT]

Finally someone who is from the UK that creates this kind of content!

[@rowan9789]

I love your videos they help us appreciate the smallest parts of life we seem to forget, Earth is heaven we must not take advantage of it, even when the sun doesn't shine there is always a new day where it beams ever so bright.

[@realteabaggins]

Had no idea I was into this kind of stuff until it just randomly showed up on recommendations.. SUBSCRIBED

[@FlacidRob]

Leave it to KZbin to drop a random terrarium video in my recommended that sparks a desire to get big jars and fill them with dirt and plants from local forest preserves Your vids are great, dude and they seriously inspired me to go out and do this myself Thank you for making content like this

[@derpyturtle927]

The garlic snail is very pretty I love the blue and gray accent its definitely my favorite

[@Karianna_222]

The music and visuals are so relaxing! They helped me take a nap which I have been struggling to do the past few days :) thank you!

[@squid5097]

The isopod cleaning itself was very cute

[@DangerousDevilOfficial]

The Garlic Snail is cool looking!

[@guywithoutmustache5648]

Dude, this music. Made me felt like ive reached inner peace

[@arsonsnail]

Oh dang I’m early! I have 10 of these right now, all sitting on my windowsill. I’m making my first ecosphere today!

[@renatonovis]

seems like our federal agents have a bit too much time on their hands XD

[@superlo3857]

this is an ecosphere you only have to close it airtight the moisture already present inside it will be recycled

[@ethan_rummel]

shouldn’t y’all be blowing more money on the war on drugs

[@arsonsnail]

Imperial [帝国] thank you senpai~!

[@fatima-vt3yv]

what happens if there was an earthquake/tornado/tsunami/hurricane where you live lol? I want to this, but I live in texas. so I'm afraid of a hurricane or tornado happening.

[@carmelbunny9343]

The white Springtail is so cute °^°

[@jeremylee8844]

I just saw this for the first time. What an absolutely beautiful thing to see and even watch for hours and hours. I'm going to build one for myself this weekend. Thank you so very much for such a wonderful idea and fantastic video. Now I'm going to sit and watch them all.

[@owneyw4374]

These videos make me very happy, they are just so calming and fascinating

[@DrDicko]

Wow,..so well filmed, a whole nature movie within a jar. I am gonna make myself one tomorrow. Great video thanks!!!

[@ethanotto5062]

The moss and sticks look like miniature grass and treetrunks, really adding to the idea that this is a tiny, self-contained world.

[@Interp66]

Beautiful setup can't wait to see it mature over time!

[@theunstoppableaxeofjustice3991]

imagine having a massive jar. I prefer massive jars just to make it more diverse and forest like

[@Pierweijer]

But where to buy them? I can not find any jar's bigger than 5 liter... in the Netherlands it is.

[@theunstoppableaxeofjustice3991]

@@Pierweijer mmmmmm i guess your right, only if they were any :(

[@theunstoppableaxeofjustice3991]

@@Pierweijer lol

[@Darkko88]

@@Pierweijer Have you tried buying one online?

[@Pierweijer]

@@Darkko88 Yeh I tried, 5 liters was the max I found

[@gaving7095]

You've made an awesome terrarium - thanks for the video! I'll be very interested to see how it fares over time.

[@kenaicozry-gallant5217]

Your videos make me smile in glee at nature! Thank you for posting these beautiful terrariums!

[@thepeacefulplaty2718]

That was absolutely beautiful. Im so building one if these. This time of year is perfect.

[@dylangoddard7449]

Thanks I'm gonna make one today!

[@hensorsa4016]

I'm just making one

[@teckukirndul8912]

@@hensorsa4016 i just made one

[@RobinBerri]

I am a fairly new subscriber. Your videos are so calming and informative. They are beautifully done too.

[@okamikatze863]

I absolutely adore the music pieces you use on these videos. I'm glad I found your channel!

[@kostas6621]

Oooooh I love this terrarium and the garlic snail is beautiful!!!

[@vichardt8288]

When you are disturbed by the bugs but you can't stop watching it because its too interesting

[@mishvin2200]

bro I don't know why but I love these videos, it's so relaxing to watch haha ♥

[@msx6880]

this felt so wholesome to watch :) like wow nature is so amazing

[@kitzoyan8143]

So relaxing watching a small ecoystem work

[@conkers..]

Everyone: So good (cuz it is) Jartopia: ".. In UK forests.." Me: *where*

[@gearblue89]

When I was a kid I would kill every insect i’d see and was called “the consumer of souls” as a teen this inspired me to become the “keeper of souls”

[@manuelmirandawtf8345]

that would actually be a good fiction story

[@scoobydoo7220]

@@docbuni you mean miracle worker, I hate bugs

[@EpicFace9]

@@docbuni firstly he was a kid but he stopped, don't really need to be rude, but it was assholish so I do agree somewhat

[@frowner_and_co]

@@scoobydoo7220 go to hell

[@frowner_and_co]

@@EpicFace9 still wrong, why are you like this?

[@gook4dubb843]

Thank you, for these videos. Quite calming, entertaining and informative.

[@BadAssBallz]

Absolutely Awesome. Terrariums like this should be seen and demonstrated in every classroom, On Earth.

[@AndreaFlorio]

are all of the animal species in there "by chance" as you scooped the soil, or were they collected specifically for this purpose ?

[@FunerealObsession]

If you ever catch the beetle feeding on a snail or slug please upload the footage.

[@cameroncalzone8860]

watching your videos is so peaceful

[@svc2004]

thank you for making these video's. I always watch them when I feel sad or lonely and it always makes me feel calm and happy, So thank you

[@ammendum9044]

Do you think this terrarium will be viable in the longer run with this many predators in it?

[@Jartopia]

I am not certain. There seems to be a lot of prey species, but i imagine some species will go extinct eventually.

[@castingoutnines5507]

@@Jartopia Did all of these species hitchhike into the terrarium or did you place any in the terrarium intentionally?

[@S2Viana]

I might be wrong, but these larger predators if they cannot reproduce they will die withing weeks, so its kinda self-balancing, the minor species will struggle within the first weeks and thrive after.

[@jakecarden3920]

@living dragon he answered elsewhere, they all hitchhiked

[@thedanger8919]

I have something like this on a larger scale. It's important to have predators - this maintains the natural balance. My isopods, if left unchecked, would eat all of the leaves and plants. However, I have a group of centipedes in there for population control (plus they're interesting to watch) which helps to maintain a healthy population.

[@Jesta747200]

I was going to skip but the soundtrack caught me before I could get a chance

[@Saint3188]

Simply amazing I'm so glad I discovered your channel, I can't wait to see more.

[@MissIdolize]

Mesmerising to watch, very informative and the music is just perfect. Even tho I am not a fan of beasties I truly appreciate their vital roles in life and nature. Thank you again.

[@vikingoutdoor3179]

At 11:18 that little springtail dipped off down the tree right by the clock beetle. Haha close one .

[@MrKaiju-sr8wu]

11:05 I missread the name as “Black Cloak Beetle”, which would honestly be a cool name for a beetle too

[@lacrauzorro]

You keep it simple and it looks awesome. Thank you for sharing!

[@EduardoSVA]

A whole world inside a jar! Nature is amazing, life finds, or makes, its own way. Thanks for the video. Greetings from Brazil

[@bas6249]

I'm really excited after seeing these videos and decided i want to create my own. One question i still have after watching some videos is on how you get the animals inside:) Any tips are helpfull!!

[@erikdubois9951]

Any pointers on where to find a beautiful glass jar like this that still keeps the moisture in?

[@sashawilliams6191]

Beautiful. You could just sit and watch it for hours. Fascinating. Lovely music, very tranquil. 😎

[@lombragoo]

You are like David Attenborough. (I hope i spelled it right) in the smaller scale. Amazing amount of knowledge is passed here through little jars, its mind bogging how a handful piece of soil can contain a whole world for these tiny creatures. Hats off. I love it.

[@sorh]

Wow this looks amazing. Thanks for sharing. Few questions though: 1- What and how many animal species were added by you? 2- How much water was initially added? 3- Where do you usually keep it? 4- How much sunlight per day?

[@AhamedKiller]

I think you can add some carnivorous animals when needed and about sunlight keep it in the window for light like the normal

[@1AcreHomestead]

Yes… How much water was added?

[@Tpegli]

Garlic snail = awesome. Your macro shots are really well done!! Any reason you didn’t include a barrier (like plastic or mesh) between the gravel and substrate in this build?

[@NoName5589]

What a lovely jar, I already can't wait for the update video on this one even though I must

[@combatgirl38]

Exactly what my heart and soul needed! Thank you!!

[@unidentifiedleiviathan7250]

I have a question: What happens if it molds over and how do you prevent that?

[@Jartopia]

springtails eat mold.

[@unidentifiedleiviathan7250]

@@Jartopia oh, thanks.

[@ambiambear]

Welp, time for us to go hunt some springtails ^w^ -my isopod/moss tank has been moldy and it scares me :(

[@unidentifiedleiviathan7250]

@@ambiambear yeah, scares me too, i think im gonna be sick from inhaling to much

[@FieryCoal]

Box Goblin you can buy terrarium springtails too online.

[@ikonhero]

Very cool video. Did all those insects and creatures just happen to be in the stuff you put in the jar, or did you collect them to be added? Could they also survive for a long time and maybe reproduce? I would like to try this myself, although I think the centipedes are pretty gross :)

[@zellsicsvexramet1603]

I find it amazing how all of these insects can end up together in this jar just by grabbing all of the other materials. It reveals how much life is blossoming around us without always fully presenting itself. I've never done this and I was waiting for the part where you collect the insects but then it turns out its just luck of the draw lol.

[@jaybbuxton4429]

Who would have believed that in one small area there is so much life....and so informative...thank you.

[@rorywills8297]

When you bring it home to do just lightly soak the substrate and then close the lid and leave it like that? I'd love to make one of these as it looks so incredibly awesome.. How often does a terrarium like this need to be watered or is it pretty self sustaining?

[@pinkfridge3415]

Rory Wills I think it’s self sustaining

[@lolsoos4205]

The point of it is that its literally self sustaining so no you dont water it etc.

[@coldartic7849]

Since i am new to this channel I have a question. Do all ecosystems need to have a light above them or daylight works. Also if a light is needed then is any light fine?

[@firstlast-sq2gc]

Sunlight will cause the glass contents to overheat, killing the organisms. Light is needed however, to allow the plants to photosynthesize to generate oxygen for the animals.

[@yhnmjuik]

Thank you for the work you're doing! I cannot imagine more relaxing time in YT.

[@yangxiaolong7779]

These terrariums are amazing and the music you picked for these is beautiful. I kinda wanna make one myself

[@KC-nh3mp]

I don’t like rove beetles, they always appear when I’m gardening and I don’t like how long and fast they are haha

[@a-sheepof-christ9027]

7:49. "Welcome to the HEV mark IV protective system. Scanning hazardous environment. Headcrab detected. Adrenalin administered."

[@yellomonky4272]

Halflife?

[@bone8352]

@@yellomonky4272 we need a new one!

[@john.d.rockefeller2538]

I’m clicking the time stamp, I’m saving my current spot. 9:50

[@vickijohnson4668]

I have only recently subscribed to your channel. Your knowledge of little creatures is an eye-opener for me. I always knew they were important but never had the time to research further.Thank you so much for showing how beautiful they are .

[@reptilzum1616]

Wow! That harvestman is awesome!

[@fabienlamour3644]

Did you add the insecte or they were already in the soil you took????

[@Jartopia]

5:00

[@ATasteOfLife]

@@Jartopia that is amazing. How many animals are living in soil and the like.

[@kennyalwaysdies1]

"Black clock beetle" the name made me think of something else

[@godzillafan4033]

This is brilliant. Very soothing and fascinating.

[@cosmicrider317]

Best video I've come across for making your own terrarium! Two thumbs up! Thanks