The Hardcore Crickets That Only Live on Bare Lava

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Some animals live in pretty extreme places, but the lava cricket might be the most hardcore of them all. These crickets have only been observed right after volcanic eruptions, and scientists have questions, like “How does a flightless insect appear on freshly-cooled lava?”
Hosted by: Olivia Gordon
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Sources:
hbs.bishopmuseum.org/pi/pdf/20...
www.sciencemag.org/news/2019/...
books.google.ca/books?id=4Lsw...
www.hawaiitribune-herald.com/...
IMAGE SOURCES:
Credit: William P. Mull, 1974. Copyright © Bishop Museum
www.istockphoto.com/photo/abs...
upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...
www.istockphoto.com/photo/dry...
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
www.istockphoto.com/photo/aer...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018_lo...

[@SciShow]

Build your own website today at wix.com/go/scishow.

[@Neiot]

That link sends me to the general URL. What exactly does it do?

[@seanlutzke1694]

She got me with that segue I never saw it coming. Just like in 'nam.

[@Neiot]

@@seanlutzke1694 You mean segue?

[@seanlutzke1694]

@@Neiot Yeah that's what I said.

[@icarusmaybe6629]

I can't take you seriously with a ring in your septum.

[@NotHPotter]

These crickets are so hipster they live on the lava before it's cool.

[@minecraftdad4347]

Sir you just made me die why did you do this it has made me so sad that I might just leave this platform for at least 5 days.

[@kingarthurthe5th]

Jake From State Farm we all know that you lava this joke

[@minecraftdad4347]

@@kingarthurthe5th sir I'm "scorching" to think KZbin was in general a horrible idea

[@ngflycloud]

The best comment of the day goes to...

[@JustinCarberry]

Get out.

[@locabal8354]

lava: Exists* lava crickets: it's free real estate

[@sebastianelytron8450]

This meme: **exists** Free real estate meme: **also exists** Unoriginal commenters: it's free likes!

[@kindlin]

@@sebastianelytron8450 Idk, I thought this one was at least slightly clever....

[@kylestanley7843]

@@sebastianelytron8450 0/10 meme no free real estate

[@nickgehr6916]

Somebody: *the floor is lava* Lava crickets: *great!!! Time to build our house boi*

[@nicoloongaro991]

I was about to write this EXACT comment

[@richardbidinger2577]

Love it.

[@chemieju6305]

So do young lava crickets play the floor isn't lava?

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Me: How tough are ya? Crickets: I eat lava... without any milk. Me: *Oh*

[@wyattmathis4854]

Just Some Guy without a Mustache but milk keeps ur bones strong

[@wyattmathis4854]

r/neverbrokeabone

[@SpartanAegis]

Right this way...

[@christelheadington1136]

@@wyattmathis4854 They don't need no stinkin' bones.

[@KainaX122]

I eat cereal. . . Without milk

[@TheGreatCooLite]

Come on, we all know they drink Fire Resistance potions all the time

[@glenngriffon8032]

are you an idiot? Clearly they are an ingredient of Fire Resistance potions. Learn your alchemy.

[@kemphoss-4791]

I think they have a 50% blaze powder drop

[@corok12]

Glenn Griffon cannibalism

[@williamnjagi2388]

@@glenngriffon8032 maybe they're one of the ingredients because they drink fire-resistant potions

[@kyoris]

Maybe they spawn with fire res

[@reyiven7625]

It all changed when the lava cricket attacked

[@moosemaimer]

good thing the lavalantulas showed up after

[@NashTheGreat]

Dont worry, lavatar the last lavender will kick their ass

[@kylestanley7843]

@@NashTheGreat the last lavender? Damn it, looks like the lavender scented candles are gonna be a lot more expensive now ._.

[@vlr7368]

The lava cricket nation doesn't mess around, man.

[@hellcat1988]

Cheating on SquareSpace? How DARE you!

[@kyleslater5245]

Lol. I guess it’s whoever pay...

[@theevildrummingsithlord1492]

It's treason, then.

[@blahbleh5671]

those whores...

[@draconicrain7609]

This should be a pokemon. Bug fire type cricket.

[@skylaroconnor2903]

DraconicRain that would actually be really cool

[@StarshadowMelody]

Alola missed far too many oportunities.

[@KainaX122]

Lost Melody I was gonna ask why they didn't do this for Alola It's literally Hawaii in Pokémon

[@revolver265]

It would be the perfect place too, since Alola is very close a representative of Hawaii.

[@keep]

Agreed and it should evolve into something more dragon 🐲 like. No competition to charizard.

[@zappadow6538]

Wow they made Ash hoppers a real thing

[@kostam.1113]

Omg, i remembered now They are literally real life ash hoppers, although small.

[@seredahawke3207]

@A lone Cockroach Striders, I think.

[@bodyisround]

Came to comments looking for Morrowind references. Was not disappointed.

[@phylippezimmermannpaquin2062]

wtf i just started playing eso and now this is a thing

[@israelduarte1189]

God did.

[@canaan5337]

Lava crickets sound like something that you would have to fight in a RPG quest to throw something into a volcano.

[@lyreparadox]

in Elder Scrolls games they're called Ash Hoppers

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

Crickets living thug life. Flexing on the non-lava crickets

[@4everheromydeterminedface180]

Bro really 🤦

[@Low_commotion]

_Any other bug enters_ "You stepped into the wrong neighborhood MFer" Actually a pretty good comparison considering that they live in an inhospitable neighborhood, getting by on whatever is there, and one of their good sources is other bugs that happen to enter.

[@robertmartin4449]

Lava larva.... thank you thank you! I’ll be here all week.

[@ieaturanium574]

more people need to understand this reference

[@LiLi-or2gm]

Nice segue into the sponsor message! Reminded me of WIld Kingdom back in the day. "Just like the wild gronzo finds safety in the shrubs, Mutual of Omaha protects you from life's hazards . . ."

[@whiskeysquatch6844]

Stinky cheese and a wine bottle? Are you trying to catch lava crickets or a Frenchman?

[@Patches2212]

Plot Twist- the Frenchmen ARE crickets (or vice versa)

[@taisenscoolstuff732]

Science: How hardcore are you? Lava Crickets: Yes

[@nidohime6233]

Someone: THE FLOOR IS LAVA!!! People: OH NO!!! D: Crickets: OH YEAH BABY!!! >:D

[@pridefulobserver3807]

ITS A ZERG !!! KILL IT WITH FI......ohh... god...

[@extrnalsorce4974]

Your base is under attack.

[@ryantaylor1142]

Evolution complete

[@zitools]

power overwhelming.

[@HighlanderFrag4Life]

gg

[@jebes909090]

*in nerd voice* actually that's incorrect. Fire and lava are particularly damaging to zerg.

[@_Crimon]

ITS A NEW POKEMON BUG FIRE TYPE

[@dontspikemydrink9382]

bit too late, that already exists

[@iainhansen1047]

So that is where those ash hoppers in solsteim came from.

[@early7strikeland996]

The lava crickets are using wix to survive in lava.

[@IvanDmitriev1]

Almost anything will blend in perfectly with lava , if it's hot enough, lol. Nice episode!

[@kylestanley7843]

That's very fair lol

[@HotMudrs]

"bare lava" what's with the title? They live on lava rock. Not molten lava. Your description is correct so are you just trying to clickbait?

[@onlypranav]

www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lava " also : such rock that has cooled and hardened "

[@JeremyWS]

Everyone else: evacuates town when lava comes. Crickets: Yay, lava. Feels just like home.

[@Idkmanihatethis]

THE FLOOR IS LAVA crickets: Hold my beer

[@shruggzdastr8-facedclown]

(@3:46): Now, that's gotta be one of the slickest product-placement segues I've ever seen/heard!!

[@jastper2036]

Normal Cricket: I live in a very good grassland. Lava Cricket: *HOLD MY FIRE RESISTANCE POTION.*

[@TreyD.]

Crickets: Just chillin on lava Lava: Am I a joke to you?

[@eggnogmonkey]

Someone get the Planet Earth crew on this

[@disht2]

Dont you mean Ms. Frizzle and the magic school bus?

[@eggnogmonkey]

Brian Grimm Them too lmao

[@S4MJ4M]

Nature is so amazing and beautiful! How often do I find myself checking the date of the video to make sure I'm not being trolled by an April fools?

[@LOL-gn5oh]

Pokémon logic: Bugs are weak against Fire. Lava cricket: Am I a joke to you?

[@Dannybythebanana]

Hello? SCP Foundation? Yeah. It's happening again.

[@pockystyx4087]

Add this to the "why is this not a Pokemon yet?" list.

[@bri1085]

Gamefreak/Nintendo missed the golden opportunity

[@itspetahhh5304]

we need a name for it though, i got nothing

[@ShadowLynx777]

@@itspetahhh5304 Lavet evolves into Crava Or vice versa

[@World_Theory]

This is actually super interesting. I wonder if they exist in another stage of their life cycle, until an eruption, then the heat draws them in, and catalyzes their metamorphosis into these lava crickets we see. I know that heat is supposed to speed up some chemical reactions, so maybe it works for some extreme biochemical reactions, too?

[@thescribe5494]

Last I heard, when engulfed in magma, they do crystalize in a cocoon. Though they don't hatch for about 300 years or so. When they do though... they emerge as 16-35' long worms that burrow under soft earth and are carnivorous

[@chair6180]

From @2:00 and on, Olivia was pretty much describing addicts everywhere.

[@3KRacing]

"They are part of an Aeolian ecosystem" Me: Alien ecosystem. Now it makes sense.

[@marshallsalmon6924]

Pokemon fans: Alolan ecosystem

[@krisjackson6102]

You made that transition from cricket goals to human goals so effortlessly, I feel compelled to subscribe.

[@Argonak1]

Like a fine bourbon.

[@erin3394]

Hey the floor is Lava. And now has bugs on it. Double nope!

[@caonabo2]

Interesting video, as always! Congrats.

[@unboiledegg5765]

Basically, the emo teens of the insect world

[@IronicHavoc]

Not really? They don't have any sort of attitude about it they just do hardcore stuff.

[@marshallsalmon6924]

More like a self driven daredevil than anything

[@kavijackson868]

I GET IT!!!😂😂😂😂😂😂🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂😂😃😃😃😃😭😭😭😭😭👏👏👏👏👏

[@kylestanley7843]

*"you don't know me mom, I can live where I want!"*

[@shanehaney2121]

Lava cricket: I'm the most xtreme. Water bear: Hold my credentials.

[@maninthehills7134]

Maybe the crickets live and breed underground in cooled lava tubes

[@jeffclancy4140]

Maybe their eggs are from the core and only hatch once they reach a temperature that's cool enough

[@ekkehard8]

@Black-Handed_Ice_ Gwiazda Some insects can lay dormant for years. Maybe these do so as well? Perhaps they bury eggs in the vecinity when the flow stops so they hatch when the flow resumes.

[@kylestanley7843]

@@ekkehard8 that actually makes a lot of sense. I bet they hatch only when temperatures get high enough or humidity gets low enough or some other variable. Most likely an extreme only caused by a nearby volcanic eruption.

[@riverbender9898]

Fascinating...as always. Thanks.

[@xsaviorfreeman5610]

That was badass how you just went in the advertisement part for wix. That just like blew my mind.

[@bleachno9]

So this is how Kars REALLY survived in Battle Tendency

[@adventuresofwillandshelby6013]

Who would win? A volcano with lava capable of reaching north of 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit 🌋 Some jumpy boi’s 🦗 Edit: Thank you for the likes! I’ve got 22 likes on this comment right now and 22 is the most likes I’ve ever had including my KZbin channel

[@Sara3346]

wow whered you get that nice cricket emoji?

[@adventuresofwillandshelby6013]

Sara3346 idk, lol... It came with my iPhone... I’m still learning this thing!!

[@Master_Therion]

To understand how these crickets reproduce I bet the biologists would... love a lava larvae.

[@donnerrob6615]

Ah! Well executed! I salute you, Sir!

[@fishbuddy547]

I always look forward to you and muscle Hank.

[@zolacnomiko]

Aw yay, SciShow did an episode on an endemic Hawaiian animal on the same day I defended my master's thesis on a different endemic Hawaiian animal! Thanks guys! :3

[@JamesSmith-qe1mn]

I'm kinda disappointed that a picture of them chilling on the lava was never shown... But at least I know where to go all my website construction needs!

[@jarydflores8171]

That was probably one of the best ad segways I've ever seen. Nice

[@TheChuckwagonLite]

Good to see you back.

[@GlenHunt]

That Kilauea lava flow pic was a couple days before it covered my brother's house...and the epic half pipe he built for himself and my niece.

[@rafaelc.5705]

I love their ability to make any interesting science fact into advertising

[@LightningSe7en]

That ad transition was so smooth.

[@wellingtonmsj]

Lava Cricket: I'm the baddest bad ass! Tardigrade: Let's hang around when you grow up...

[@milesc.anthony2811]

This is the most interesting thing I've come across in years, almost unbelievable.

[@alishapotts6423]

THANK YOU for using the correct word, adaptation. I SO appreciate it!

[@whocares5114]

Me: I can stay outside getting the sunlight from the burning sun all day. Lava Cricket : Hold my antennas.

[@kasinokaiser1319]

Could've been a great Gen 7 Pokémon

[@greder23]

That Wix ad transition was *smooth*

[@takeyouforgranite7850]

Oh, so THIS is what Kars transformed into! And to think the narrator thought it was a crab...

[@gamethrough5530]

TakeyouforGranite is this a jojo reference?

[@zedantXiang]

Nani

[@mastershooter64]

Cooled lava? When lava is cooled its not really called lava right? I think ita volcanic rock? Lava is molten rock how can they live on 1000+ degrees celsius ?

[@moosemaimer]

it's liquid hot molten *magma*

[@leninthebeaniesouhacker.2459]

tecnicaly yeah, but would that make a flashy youtube tittle? i don't think so.

[@Raylen_Fa-ield]

You're thinking of it wrong. When lava starts to cool the top layer becomes solid while the inside still flows like molten rivers under the surface. These crickets live and eat around this top cooled layer. To be clear this top layer is only a film on top of lava.

[@xxXthekevXxx]

Carlos C3rd 👍

[@makaimaukahasopinions848]

I live on the Big Island where this volcano is - we simply call cooled lava 'lava rock'

[@tomstech4390]

*Life finds a way*

[@tomhank7517]

The way they link their video material with their ads is really hillarious.

[@ploppyploppy6554]

This is brilliant who knew .

[@rickharold69]

Love it !

[@GeoffShouldWin]

Kars should've used those Cricket's armor. What a dumb 400iq being.

[@kelechi321]

Wow. .nice JoJo reference. Your comment totally sums up why I stop watching the show after that season I appreciate the anime but dang that was some lazy writing

[@teriyakio7912]

K tbh the parts after the second one get more interesting imo

[@Cr3zant]

@@kelechi321 lazy writing for not remembering some incredibly obscure cricket that even biologists barely know exists?

[@keklypuzz1513]

But why would kars do that when he can have fabulous wings?

[@nidohime6233]

@@Cr3zant Heck, I didn't even knew this crickets exist and I'm an animal nerd.

[@CrankyPantss]

There are so many unanswered questions about those little crickets. That was very interesting.

[@ReflectedMiles]

That's because they're actually cockroaches, and everybody already knew that they would be the last terrestrial life form standing no matter what happened. If they're just waiting for nuclear war to reduce competition, what's a little lava?

[@fishbuddy547]

3:31 I wonder what'd it would be like waking up and looking out your window to see a giant river of lava.

[@-4subscriberswithahammerad521]

not gonna lie, I would NOT want to mess with those crickets

[@phoule76]

I suspect you're lying

[@thatone2297]

Smooth transition from the video topic to the sponsor topic.

[@srivelayudham8965]

Lava Crickets : "I Am Inevitable"

[@tumbles8350]

that turn into an advert gave me whiplash

[@petergray2712]

Jiminy Cricket: I'm no fool! No sirree! I'm gonna live to 103! I play safe for you and me. I'm no fool! These crickets: live on hot lava rock.

[@MrLense]

Lava: *Exists* Crickets: Its free real estate

[@ratatataraxia]

I never thought I'd be impressed by a cricket. Tough little things aren't they.

[@chickendrawsdogs3343]

A lava cricket passes by a tardigrade: "Sup."

[@Grond112358]

Great transition into the ad. Almost like the ad wasn't actually there.

[@MATABEI]

Cool, I'm only just learning about this creature, but it's a huge missed opportunity Gamefreak didn't include either a Bug/Fire or Bug/ Rock Pokemon based on it for Gen 7. This cricket was MADE for Alola!

[@temo1134]

Watch me *NĒNĒ* * jumps into lava *

[@quailkller]

If crickets can live on lava you can own a business I'm dying right now

[@thaxasaurian]

Lava cricket: to hot, hot damn!, call the police and the firemen, too hot, hot damn!, just say my name and you know who I am! Lizard: food

[@GeneralDurandal]

The new Fire-Bug Pokemon Crickano seems pretty cool.

[@aaronfaucett6442]

Nice segue into the ad! Look at you girl, you got this KZbin game down! 😁👍

[@jimjimsauce]

Lava living crickets? Sounds like a Pokémon

[@erikiacopelli451]

Kids: Lets play dont step on the lava Cricket: Walking on Lava Kids: Why do we bother playing with him?

[@eggstu]

Thanks, Daria

[@dianaarduinna1419]

In Reunion Island, there is also a species of spider which lives and thrives in dry lava fields, with absolutely no vegetation and no other living critter as far as I know. The environment is even worse than those of the cricket, because the temperature drop is brutal between day and night. What they eat, is still a mystery for me.

[@UWU-x]

It’s a fire, bug type Pokémon don’t diss my man

[@LordLab]

They just go there to play a game flor is lava , they love it

[@TwinShards]

Cricket: Ohhh ! That hot ! That hot !

[@hypedog4598]

This sounds like a Pokemon waiting to happen.

[@onechristwoncity]

If crickets can live on lava, surely you will listen to this ad

[@LadyBeritanavatarius]

Nope.

[@progidy7]

That was one loooong setup for a commercial

[@Carisus]

That is probably the greatest segue ever.

[@ideoformsun5806]

I wonder what the indigenous people say about this cricket. I would love to hear the stories of its history from that point of view. My theory is this is a flightless immature form of regular crickets that burrow underground or are eggs laid underground, and when the lava cools, they follow rainwater towards the surface.

[@Jay-qb9gi]

Lol, crickets? Now I'm waiting for extreme flies

[@ForumArcade]

I just had to see if this was for real.

[@christelheadington1136]

So you headed to Hawaii ?

[@brennencox516]

When i visited the big island of Hawai'i, was during a period lava stopped flowing. What a disappointment. But it was still a good trip :)

[@marvinperez1297]

They sound more like a Pokémon than a real life insect. Like it should be the first Bug Fire starter. It shall be called Chirptorch.