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

[@CittizinKane]

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

[@Tribozom]

TWO POINTS!

[@kamrulin1543]

These documentaries are phenomenal

[@shatteredsentient5321]

"She kills him anyways" Spider life is tough

[@apekshatiwari9290]

hehehhe

[@paradox7358]

Jeez. Slugs do everything slow, even death.

[@gopalroy9139]

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

[@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?

[@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

[@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!

[@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...

[@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!

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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?

[@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?

[@samanthapatrick4345]

The Female Jumping Spider was probably saying will you keep still

[@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!

[@jeffpetrie7744]

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

[@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

[@wiandryadiwasistio2062]

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

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

9:41 that thing is a monster

[@brahmburgers]

Excellent footage and narration. Thanks!

[@niennordeild4389]

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

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

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

[@lianefehrle9921]

Bugs are so lovingly creepy

[@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.

[@MrKlyrix]

Amazing camera angles. Awesome footage!

[@slitheringswamp5352]

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

[@KamKam8383]

That lizard mimicking the beetle 😂😂

[@supert9114]

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

[@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

[@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.

[@jacksugden8190]

Better check my bed tonight for creepy crawlers

[@amoghverma3108]

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

[@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 😳

[@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.

[@Yggdrasil-cd9zg]

Thanks, for sharing❤

[@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.

[@jeffreykushner6973]

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

[@franktuckwell196]

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

[@nathancomixproductions466]

10:39 My favorite!

[@saenity]

the spider one i’m cryinggghg

[@footfault1941]

Yes, scary enough for Halloween!

[@Kavee_3]

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

[@XD-ve4ui]

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

[@mariekatherine5238]

That beetle is like a guy with a flamethrower!

[@user-ld7yw1vy5t]

14:9 literally me sharting at 3 am

[@MissLisaBabyx]

So fascinating 😊

[@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

[@MrPun-yf5vv]

That beetle 🪲 kicks send ants flying was hilarious 😂

[@Tribozom]

TWO POINTS!

[@user-mu4hv9jq6g]

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

[@eaglesfight]

Really lively

[@ryanquick1824]

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

[@ShivuCN]

Extraordinary...❤❤

[@katleeBalboaStJulian]

The beetle fighting his way to female is so romantic

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

...That ain't it chief.

[@experssion123]

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

[@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.

[@andreyquinoa7300]

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

[@92jeeprhett]

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

[@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

[@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" 🙄

[@Reve_Hyrulier]

First 3 mins terrified me 😮

[@cherylpurdue888]

I love the spider dance

[@pedrord1986]

Arthropods are freakin' amazing !!!

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

Hell yeahh!!!

[@Cheebie_108]

36:54 why did he do that?? 😂 yeet

[@-_E-_]

ayo that slug put up a damn good fight though

[@bobhoven3959]

Beautiful as raw nature, beautiful fillempt❤

[@tonybelarmin8004]

Thanks the info.

[@FieldDay-cj3tv]

I've come to love the creepy crawlers

[@trackofpakistan]

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

[@GrantJohnston-dr9rt]

Run slug run!

[@kycutecool5891]

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

[@grandselenium296]

Dudes out here living like a stag beetle

[@alltimegoatc.ronaldobestmoment]

Respect to camera that took these footage

[@InfoSupply-zu7gp]

Amazing!

[@Payekha0426]

If the jaws of the male stag beetle were pointing upwards, it reminds me of Loki 😅😅

[@minzinmyo]

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

[@footfault1941]

Wait a minute! Pigs gone wild are supposed to be recent events in terms of evolution. How can a weta cope with such a new type of threat that neatly? Very intriguing!

[@ethanotoroculus1060]

Likely a holdover from older threats now extinct from human activity if I had to gander. Giant birds used to rule the island, who's to say there wasn't an insectivore?

[@footfault1941]

@@ethanotoroculus1060 excellent! Concise & precise. Embarrassing at the same time, for my short-sighted view on evolutionary events revealed. Evolution means history. So glad to have a comment like yours!

[@Tata_mic7]

Human beings are more creeper than this 🤧

[@TS-1267]

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

[@frieza_da_goat]

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

[@antoniovolpativolpati7613]

Excelente!!

[@cody12345249]

Watching a beetle field kick a bunch of ants is the most ridiculous thing I've ever seen

[@TruthSurge]

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

[@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 😂

[@kamilg5368]

ta jaszczura udająca chrząszcza jest zajebista :)

[@keithfaulk1354]

Very interesting !!❤

[@milliboop]

An ant is nothing, but, the whole colony, oh my God! This reminds me to "Hopper" from bugs (Disney movie), explaining to its followers about ants.

[@trisusilaningsih3778]

#14:02 is so cool

[@Stinkypoopoohead]

12:36 me asf😪😪🐺🐺🐺

[@christineMaccallum-uo3qx]

Scary world of creepy crawly and more stories

[@babadieme]

I recognize Richard Attenbourgh's voice! A master of Nature Documentaries! May he rest in Heaven!

[@NinoNiemanThe1st]

It's David Attenborough's voice. He's still alive and well. His brother died, and there was an outpouring of internet grief by idiots like you over the wrong person, but he was a different dude who didn't do documentaries.

[@babadieme]

@@NinoNiemanThe1st Excuse me. No need to insulte me. I just trust the information about his death! Wow

[@liana.chawngthu]

Hmuhnawm khawp mai👍🏿👍🏿

[@TruthSurge]

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

[@ritchiesiepman5511]

Can you make a compilation about wasps/bees next??

[@RingJando]

Yeah, it's fun taking their honey, right?

[@sava-smth]

​@@RingJandoyou ok bud? (Also, most species of bees don't even make honey, that's why we might need compilation 👀)

[@ChamzKK]

I love all animals ❤❤👌👌😍