Plants and Animals in a Closed Jar - Making a closed terrestrial ecosystem

In this video we make a new DIY homemade big native closed terrarium. First I go foraging for dirt, plants, animals, sticks, bark and stones. Then I put everything together. In this closed terrestrial ecosystem, the plants provide the animals with oxygen and food, and the animals provide the plants with CO2 and nutrients.
Enjoy!
Merch:
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Patreon:
bit.ly/3vHtZAd
Patrons: Claudia Watrin, Justin Duch, Daniela Partington, Non Mea Culpa, Matilda Fiship, Axio
Timestamps:
0:00 Introduction
0:21 Foraging
3:59 Building
11:21 The Finished Product

[@benthegnarlyone5619]

One day you’re gonna wake up in the middle of the night and hear, “this is nice, into the bucket it goes” and see a big hand grab you.

[@hotmailcompany52]

Maybe that's what alien abductions are for?

[@charliepie1212]

He thinks I'm nice? :)

[@elliot_rat]

i wouldn't mind that. id live in a safe jar

[@grimroten3299]

No. No... Not again!

[@finnsphotos8922]

gnarly Idea

[@charlescampisijr.8065]

" wild charcoal with cigarette butt " lmao

[@PaleGhost69]

You know what's sad? If people are still making wild terrariums in 100 years, they'll probably get hate for not including trash because "it's not natural" or "unrealistic"

[@masterenos]

@@PaleGhost69 depressingly so

[@prettyvacant3605]

@@PaleGhost69 oof 😣

[@wsxboy]

The cigarette butt is for aesthetic

[@AVA-hu4yf]

You should try collecting samples from two totally different ecosystems and combining them in the same jar to see if either one becomes dominant.

[@frostbyte2899]

Warfare

[@somenygaard]

@@hypercept I have poor reading comprehension, forgive me.

[@unmecrandomquipassaitparla2835]

@@somenygaard read again the main comment

[@somenygaard]

@@unmecrandomquipassaitparla2835 I’m getting old comment corrected.

[@you59tube59]

Divide half the jar with paper and pour that half with a habitat, and do the same with the other, then remove the paper.

[@ricki310]

“these are armadillidium isopods” the ant: baby i’m not even here

[@deykuzor]

I mean taking a single ant would kill it since they can't function without the colony :(

[@implausibleimpossiblehypot4006]

@@deykuzor not all yes but in this case yes

[@bhutwheyttherismor86]

I think that it was Armadillidium Vulgare. (The iso not the ant)

[@Kildaron1993]

@@bhutwheyttherismor86 I think too

[@TheDsRequiem]

@@bhutwheyttherismor86 thats the joke

[@randomchannel614]

When you pick the critters from the nature you were like shopping on a grocery store, love it! 😂

[@LifeinJars]

Haha!

[@adeadkid]

@@LifeinJars Google just translated this comment to lol!

[@StrikesPerception]

@@adeadkid Lol, Same here.

[@DragonloverWV]

​@@adeadkid it translated into "Haha!" For me. No change.

[@Deeplycloseted435]

I like that you didn’t edit out, “Here is a beautiful centipede. Oh.....I missed the bucket.”

[@carlv1379]

I'm just here to say that the new thumbnail style just might be a game changer.

[@LifeinJars]

Just trying something new. Thanks for your input!

[@benijager1372]

When cum jar?

[@marionettehone]

@@benijager1372 no

[@john.d.rockefeller2538]

@@benijager1372 Get gone.

[@h2squared]

@@benijager1372 yes

[@patiopermaculture3529]

0:58 I like that stick. That's a nice stick. (shrek reference icymi)

[@LifeinJars]

Haha

[@MusicRainfield]

Schtick!

[@xX_wiLLiam_Xx]

i like sticks peck peck

[@Paper_Frogg]

It's great to see how much more comfortable you are in front of a camera now :D

[@user-mc6tq7xb2q]

His

[@brentduganiero1631]

Uses a shovel to pick up a small rock but grabs a centipede bare handed. 🤣 Awesome channel!!!

[@the_hubb7418]

I can’t even explain the early 2010s energy this video has

[@davidothecheetoh6832]

HES BACK! THE KING OF DRY HUMOR AND NATURAL CREATIVITY! LOVE UR WORK ME AND MY SIBLINGS HAVE TRIED THIS SO MANY TIMES

[@mr.bobbilly8981]

I dont know why but this is one of the most entertaining channels on KZbin

[@BlimberryBoi]

its very wholesome , hard to find that recently

[@viridian-]

This channel inspired me to make a small terrarium so I could bring a piece of home with me when I had to move to a totally different climate.

[@PaleGhost69]

I've been loving having big jars for closed terrariums. I use any pretzel, cheesepuff, etc, jar that I can find

[@LifeinJars]

Nice!

[@gapetheapegod7976]

Gotta empty it first lol

[@PaleGhost69]

@@gapetheapegod7976 My family doesn't seem to mind hahaha

[@charlottesmom]

@@gapetheapegod7976 , that's the fun part!!

[@CHloE748]

Wouldn’t glass be better for long term?

[@ThaPaz]

"If it doesn't die it will grow quite nicely" L.I.J 2021

[@JohnRowley]

“Right now it [snail] has stuck itself to the side of the jar which gives us an opportunity to look at a snail that’s doing that, but it feels like violating its privacy in an odd way” :-) heheh love you man

[@ZeroShrimpy]

HIC

[@altairtodescatto]

This channel just spark a new hobby in me

[@cvbabc]

I really like your channel and I wanted to tell you not to worry about being on camera or not. Hearing your voice is enough for anyone to feel part of what you have to share. It's so fun to see what kind of fauna might emerge inside of your jars!

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

true! his channel is awesome

[@Kiflaam]

You have been chosen. I cannot say why. I can only say you have.

[@mybackhurts7020]

This channel is so interesting to me because I’ve been doing this stuff randomly my whole life

[@STKTSTKT]

day 1 of me asking LIJ for an update on this jar in 3 months and not in 3 years

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

yeah I hope it comes soon!

[@gabrielsaraiva4618]

This ended up so beautiful, I can’t wait for the updates PS: that’s a nice stick

[@cyberbullyssb2870]

Just got my first house and I cannot wait to finally make one of these from some of the swamp nearby. Very interesting hobby

[@LifeinJars]

Nice have fun

[@wildoo9870]

Be sure to be sanintary!

[@jamesparker2413]

I gave this video a thumbs up before even watching, like I usually do for this channel. I was not disappointed! You made a very beautiful terrarium. Thank you for sharing it with us.

[@ratlegttv]

that snail’s eyestalks are MAGNIFICENT

[@stanislavkino]

I guess the rainforest scent we had really inspired you huh? Me too! I arrived home with a bunch of random plants and rocks I have no use for....

[@richardorta8960]

ever think of taking a road trip with one of your big jars and just grabbing an item with a few new residents to put in said jar each time you stop?

[@superawesomegoku6512]

1:45 The dude has balls of osmium to just stick his hand into the earth as it crawls with ants

[@nielsmeijer492]

We don't have dangerous ants in the Netherlands, so nothing to be concerned of here. Also, it's not necessarily a bad thing to get dirt and stuff under your nails, research has actually proven that children at farms (who play outside, and in the dirt a lot) grow up to be healthier than children from the city (whose body isn't used to eliminating external small threats)

[@ErebosGR]

@@nielsmeijer492 Please stop parroting this bullshit. It has been debunked numerous times. Dirt doesn't make you healthier. It's just that urban healthcare systems are more well-equipped to diagnose cases that would have otherwise gone "under the radar".

[@mnycum0425]

@@ErebosGR he wasn't attacking you personally because your from the city bud. Chill out. Idgaf how many articles you've read debunking that theory. My personal experience and the experience of everyone I know happens to be that people raised in the country are simply hardier then city kids. Your argument about better Healthcare in the city is so ignorant. You basically said the simpeltons in the country just can't tell when they're sick because they can't afford decent Healthcare.

[@ErebosGR]

@@mnycum0425 Science >> your anecdotal personal experience

[@FatesxofxthexDead]

@@ErebosGR ahh yes the fallacy of the appeal to science. Bruh I'm 1,000,000,000% certain you aren't getting dangerous parasites, mold, and diseases literally everywhere you go, otherwise you'd be dead by now. With that logic we'd be pretty much dead just going out barefoot. Quit being a douche. As someone that grew up playing in the mud, creeks, and forests and thoroughly believes in science, you also realize the whole point in science is proving oneself wrong until there is only a law (AKA the laws of nature). A scientist could make the hypothesis that black holes teleport you to a dimension made out of ice cream and you could still cry science.

[@MrAhkmid]

Woo! I've been searching for a biosphere that includes jumping spiders. Ever since I got myself a pet jumping spider I've been obsessed, haha.

[@RachardMorris]

Not knowing what happened to that lone ant in the beginning is giving my anxiety

[@Spectrulus]

@@PuppyCuddler she probably found something edible, and will run around until completely exhausted because she can't find home again. It's okay though, her millions of sisters won't even miss her.

[@stanislavkino]

He fell of and found his colony because ants have a great sense of direction :>

[@LifeinJars]

I'm sure she found her way back to the colony

[@user-lw4vi4oy2d]

He ate it

[@stanislavkino]

@@LifeinJars Of course she did.

[@egregius9314]

Your channel has inspired me to make my own closed ecosystems again, like I did as a young teenager :) Currently I have a tiny closed terrarium going (12.5x12.5x20cm!), dominated by moss, algae, cyanobacteria, 1 small plant species I can't identify, and springtails+nematodes. I want to make a bigger one that supports more chains in a foodweb, including predators My thought was to build one with springtails+plants first, and then add bigger species later. Or maybe that's not necessary? When I tried making a 'Fall'-ecosphere, it died from CO2 overload :| (too much detritus)

[@Keepit10011]

Nice find! A half slab of stone is super cool. The piece of resistance is found: One day, a talented lass or fellow, a special one with face of yellow, will make the Piece of Resistance found from it's hiding refuge underground, and with a noble army at the helm, this Master Builder will thwart the Kragle and save the realm, and be the greatest, most interesting, most important person of all times. All this is true because it rhymes. Also this is how we survive in space. Make room guys.

[@aidansmyth1654]

i cant explain it but that 10L jar will never cease to amaze me.

[@Yui_187]

thanks ame-chan

[@courtneycabral6035]

I was so concerned for the insects as you were putting the rocks and sticks in.

[@MrZyrno]

The watch to like ratio is not right. Give this guy a big thumbs up!!!!

[@lucyholmes9627]

This morning, I paused this video at 7.5 minutes and went and put 5 terrariums together. Four succulent open-air bowls and one closed fern massive jar. Most productive I’ve been for...a long time 🤣

[@HomemadeEcosystems]

awesome! how are they doing?

[@WritersMoment]

Yes an update please! :D

[@francanteros144]

Omg that french is awesome 😂

[@paulinajanzen300]

I find it funny that as someone from the Netherlands we can instantly spot another dutch person just by hearing them say one word. :))

[@MidoriMushrooms]

I really hope that snail and jumping spider thrive. They're adorable.

[@tamarrajames3590]

I love the delicacy of your selection process, and the gentle way you put them into the bucket with unerring accuracy. For a moment there I thought you were going to try and fit yourself into it as well. I think a few of the critters were cussing you out as you moved things around. It actually looks pretty good at this point. This will be fun to observe as it develops and matures with time. I’m happy to see Spring has arrived and inspired you again.🖤🇨🇦

[@rubenjapp7626]

Not exactly unerring accuracy, (cough cough), the centipede.

[@ObeyBunny]

Bah! My dyslexia! I misread the thumbnail as "Big negative cursed terrarium" and the stupid image that came to my mind was an empty sealed jar in a room you've flooded with pond water.

[@killakill6030]

Damn your dyslexia is bad bad

[@dougthedonkey1805]

To be fair that would be pretty cool to see

[@hatenayousei]

THAT WOULD BE SO FUNNY

[@talonshadows4587]

It brought images that could be used in a Horror film to my mind. What's that say about me ? LoL

[@endargrab1847]

I watched 2 of your videos and encourage me to start a new jar life as an experiment and my new hobbies with my kids. How tiny and microscopic lifes appear interest me. Thank you 😁

[@JObama.]

I love how this guy really appreciates life

[@raphaelgrellety7263]

Always heard that it'll only work if you're living in a tropical region. Temperate plants need a winter rest or they'll end dying.

[@shalynping]

I have a huge fear of centipedes or anything with more legs than 8 and I screached when you picked it up. I wasn't ready for that 😭

[@hugebigpenis1]

Hello, I'm a entomologist and while I have almost no info since all we got was a brief moment from above, I think your beetle might belong to the family Elateridae which are click beetles, I can't say for certain since I am a NZ entomologist so not so knowledgeable about Dutch coleoptera but seems to fit into some of the characteristics, If you can get a good still you could upload an image of the beetle to inaturalist to get a better ID, it's a good site full of professionals for pretty much all branches of life.

[@julianwihrer3561]

You literally inspired me to do an ecosystem hah , but at the moment i only observed 4 species of animals

[@marthanewsome6375]

Before seeing this guy, I thought he was an old man. Weird! He's young!!!

[@mrmissalot8311]

Ah wow, ive just made a terrarium recently and ive used sedum for the first time, guess I can see how yours turns out as well :)

[@riverAmazonNZ]

unless you have very bright light it gets long and skinny. It survives fine, though.

[@mrmissalot8311]

@@riverAmazonNZ pretty cool, I just use sunlight and I turn the jar daily so fingers crossed they do well 😀

[@mybackhurts7020]

Years ago my son put some roly-poly‘s as we call them into one of those gel ant farms it got lost under his bed like most kids stuff does and we found a couple of years later they had developed different shaped bodies and were more clear from being in the dark they died off not long after we found them we should’ve put them back I guess

[@orgcrj]

Your design skills have improved greatly over the years my guy. Excited to see what else you come up with!

[@supermarimations4572]

YES, HE'S POSTED ONCE AGAIN! 😁

[@ashton56890]

For anyone looking for a similar jar I think I found it, the jar is an Anchor Hocking 2.5 Gallon Montana Glass Jar with Fresh Seal Lid I found it on Amazon it's dimensions in inches are 9.2 x 9.2 x 14. It is only 7.5 liters but I tried to find a 10 liter and could not so sorry that it's smaller

[@fl0yd13]

Yay! Can't wait to see the progress!! Might try to follow along at home

[@Crystalspets]

This is a cool project be looking forward to seeing update on all Your projects

[@dallasmayhem5291]

These videos are so calming. Your voice is so soothing also

[@Shaden0040]

after the charcoal layer you should place down some fine mesh, either carbon fiber or plastic window screen mesh, to help keep the soil from drining away down among the clay balls. This will help keep your soil from becoming water logged. Place your jar over the screen and cut to the outside diameter, then place on top of the clay balls and press it into place.

[@ImmortalOne-LoLo]

I'm sure you can set up a water wheel with magnets inside a jar to make a mild current with less stagnating but still could remain closed

[@billbillson3129]

These always make me wonder who made our jar? XD Thanks for sharing!!

[@eddvcr598]

I’m eager to see this new ecosphere evolve over time. Great video as always!

[@jim-bob87]

laughed out loud at "that's an earthworm...cool." :) keep it up my dude, enjoy all the jars.

[@andreacolmenares3623]

You get exotic isopods and create with them a terrarium of their native country

[@doifhg]

For some reason I thought from the thumbnail you made a jar hat and I thought "He's finally done it, the mad man"

[@thatonelonghairedguy764]

this is such a relaxing watch

[@sophiasherwood1790]

I always enjoy your videos! Thank you for taking the time to do these for us.

[@tud5708]

I loved the narration in this video!

[@drapoorv]

Nicely put together from the available materials...good job 👍👍👍👍👍

[@tychoscholten4906]

What an awesome closed terrarium!

[@temirby]

How fascinating is this channel is! I really appreciate your works, keep going!

[@MarcusD4444]

Another great video. I could watch for hours. Your videos have inspired me to create my own ecosystem jar this year as soon as I am able

[@Masternuckable]

You have such a wonderful personality! 😍

[@ransomxvi]

Love it! Thanks for the upload

[@Corvus_albus]

Good luck with this one! I'm looking forward to the updates.

[@titanblood8210]

I'm gonna do one of these. Thanks for the comfy videos, bro.

[@Micropterus06]

Looks beautiful

[@jennmacha]

Thank you for the great videos. You inspired me to make my own jar filled with soil from an old flower pot and rain water. Now we wait.

[@viviankamanchan1167]

I just made one with mosses too! And found slime molds growing on the glass, super fascinating to watch them migrate from place to place lol.

[@xtensioncord8775]

every time you post i am genuinely so happy you r my favorite person in this world please continue

[@hollyfortman4279]

Ive been watching what you have been doing since now im getting very interesting to do this and i found few mason jars glass jug and many more ill be doing this in the next few days since im just learning lol The best part is the tree and Snails 🐌 neat looking creature. Thank you for sharing 👌

[@sotirisvog1367]

Rewatching this vid a year later, and it's such a delight

[@petra9398]

I shiver with disgust every time you grab the critters with your hand

[@evilgoesunpunished3122]

Waiting for all updates on this Jar ❤️1st yrs until its life span. Keep updating buddy your a 💎

[@heliologist4216]

It was nice seeing the building of the jar, I really want to make my own closed ecosystem or something of a similar sort but I've been a little hesitant due to me believing it would be very difficult. Seeing you do it shows that its not that scary and hard after all. I love your videos and they make me very happy, thank you for making them :)

[@GatileoGatilei]

Have you done something already? :0

[@heliologist4216]

@@GatileoGatilei Still working on it! Need to get a jar lol :)

[@StaraptorEagle]

Can’t wait to see an update about this!

[@bassybossy]

can't wait for the follow up! made my day once agian

[@icreatedanaccountforthis1852]

It looks really nice

[@intoishun2556]

I love your videos so much I had to go fill a jar myself. I did yesterday in the forest and I am so happy about it. I caught a flatworm! My favorite. I don't know what kind it is though. I will upload footage eventually.

[@jacksonhiatt4174]

I made a closed ecosystem with 3 baby snails in 2017 and two of them died within a week. I decided to save the third snail and it's been living in a Mason jar with a screen mesh ever since. It's name is Clovis and it's still alive today. For maintenance I empty the jar and rinse/scrub out feces and old food with tap water. I then replace a soaked paper towel, baked eggshell, and add store bought Lettuce. I used to feed grass and leaves from outside, but used Lettuce during the first winter. Ever since, Clovis refuses to eat anything else. I would like to upgrade Clovis's set up to one with a live Lettuce plant eventually, and find a suitable partner to continue the snail lineage into the future.

[@retrobebop61]

I love to hear you talk!

[@littlelagoons]

Can't wait to see how all the little critters do!

[@kayetaylor5551]

Inspired 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰spinhired❤️❤️❤️shoots and fruits and flowers...na na na na na...NA NA😉

[@battletommy8918]

new vid nice was witing for it joined this week you channel and watched some of your videos and i am fascinated

[@williamjensen674]

Wild charcoal! Love it.

[@jamesshawcross3656]

This is super cool! Love the biodiversity, and the scape is awesome. I made one of these recently (inspired by you) and have many of the same creatures in it! I had a tiny harvestman and two tiny jumping spiders, both of which disappeared. I have a few isopods, a soil centipede, several millipede colonies, snails, slugs, an earthworm, and even some gnats, flies, and crickets which were present in the soil as eggs. I think the herbivores in mine will outcompete the plants and cause an ecosystem crash in several months, but for now it is going strong.

[@maiasangrealisback6520]

amazing job. i love it.

[@gafrers]

Another great Ecosystem.

[@manateefox]

*picks up a brown speck* oh wow, it's beautiful!