Iike Phila the Weaver ant they’re predatory here they’ve cut a large white
predatory here they’ve cut a large white
predatory here they’ve cut a large white bug they’re gonna carry it up to the
bug they’re gonna carry it up to the
bug they’re gonna carry it up to the nest and tear it to pieces inside I love
nest and tear it to pieces inside I love
nest and tear it to pieces inside I love stories and the stories from nature from
stories and the stories from nature from
stories and the stories from nature from nature that I like are the stories
nature that I like are the stories
nature that I like are the stories people haven’t seen before and
people haven’t seen before and
people haven’t seen before and particularly the ones people aren’t
particularly the ones people aren’t
particularly the ones people aren’t expecting and I love to get people
expecting and I love to get people
expecting and I love to get people excited about things they don’t think
excited about things they don’t think
excited about things they don’t think they’re gonna like like spiders because
they’re gonna like like spiders because
they’re gonna like like spiders because when you’re a spider male and you’re out
when you’re a spider male and you’re out
when you’re a spider male and you’re out there trying to get a female it’s the
there trying to get a female it’s the
there trying to get a female it’s the same struggle that he’s having that
same struggle that he’s having that
same struggle that he’s having that we’re all having when we’re trying to
we’re all having when we’re trying to
we’re all having when we’re trying to find the love of our lives in a single
find the love of our lives in a single
find the love of our lives in a single nest in the middle well protected is the
nest in the middle well protected is the
nest in the middle well protected is the single queen a big plump slightly green
single queen a big plump slightly green
single queen a big plump slightly green and so it’s the same story throughout
and so it’s the same story throughout
and so it’s the same story throughout nature with all these different colors
nature with all these different colors
nature with all these different colors and approaches and techniques and
and approaches and techniques and
and approaches and techniques and everybody has their own way of solving
everybody has their own way of solving
everybody has their own way of solving the same problems in their lives once
the same problems in their lives once
the same problems in their lives once people realize that they connect all the
people realize that they connect all the
people realize that they connect all the dots and can become more comfortable
dots and can become more comfortable
dots and can become more comfortable with nature I’m going to start off by
with nature I’m going to start off by
with nature I’m going to start off by talking about the way I began and I grew
talking about the way I began and I grew
talking about the way I began and I grew up 15 years ago in fact I think I talk
up 15 years ago in fact I think I talk
up 15 years ago in fact I think I talk more about this climbing trees this is a
more about this climbing trees this is a
more about this climbing trees this is a tree from Harvard Yard that I took for
tree from Harvard Yard that I took for
tree from Harvard Yard that I took for an article for National Geographic I
an article for National Geographic I
an article for National Geographic I actually had to put my head in a hole to
actually had to put my head in a hole to
actually had to put my head in a hole to get this view and lie on my stomach and
get this view and lie on my stomach and
get this view and lie on my stomach and the police were called twice so I
the police were called twice so I
the police were called twice so I eventually put a sign on my back saying
eventually put a sign on my back saying
eventually put a sign on my back saying National Geographic photographer please
National Geographic photographer please
National Geographic photographer please leave me alone I’ve left it there ever
leave me alone I’ve left it there ever
leave me alone I’ve left it there ever since
since
since in any case grew up climbing trees so
in any case grew up climbing trees so
in any case grew up climbing trees so here I am in Ohio how many of you climb
here I am in Ohio how many of you climb
here I am in Ohio how many of you climb trees as kids yeah and I still do a lot
trees as kids yeah and I still do a lot
trees as kids yeah and I still do a lot of studies on trees look at trees and
of studies on trees look at trees and
of studies on trees look at trees and different ecosystems around the world
different ecosystems around the world
different ecosystems around the world have climbed trees with amazing
have climbed trees with amazing
have climbed trees with amazing character and architecture some of the
character and architecture some of the
character and architecture some of the world’s largest trees out in the west
world’s largest trees out in the west
world’s largest trees out in the west coast but for National Geographic gives
coast but for National Geographic gives
coast but for National Geographic gives me another opportunity outside of
me another opportunity outside of
me another opportunity outside of ecology to tell stories about the things
ecology to tell stories about the things
ecology to tell stories about the things I love particularly when I was a kid
I love particularly when I was a kid
I love particularly when I was a kid outside of the science and so I have
outside of the science and so I have
outside of the science and so I have this wonderful chance of just pursuing
this wonderful chance of just pursuing
this wonderful chance of just pursuing things in nature and presenting them as
things in nature and presenting them as
things in nature and presenting them as stories to people which is what I love
stories to people which is what I love
stories to people which is what I love to do and people ask me how is what is
to do and people ask me how is what is
to do and people ask me how is what is it like to be at National Geographic do
it like to be at National Geographic do
it like to be at National Geographic do they like do they ever digitally alter
they like do they ever digitally alter
they like do they ever digitally alter pictures and I say no we’re very pure
pictures and I say no we’re very pure
pictures and I say no we’re very pure people here though I was rather shocked
people here though I was rather shocked
people here though I was rather shocked by the Japanese version of this cover it
by the Japanese version of this cover it
by the Japanese version of this cover it was really threw me off but otherwise
was really threw me off but otherwise
was really threw me off but otherwise it’s the place to be to tell stories and
it’s the place to be to tell stories and
it’s the place to be to tell stories and it has been for us longer than a century
it has been for us longer than a century
it has been for us longer than a century and you can pick out all kinds of
and you can pick out all kinds of
and you can pick out all kinds of stories and tell them you can pick out
stories and tell them you can pick out
stories and tell them you can pick out stories from your backyard so one of the
stories from your backyard so one of the
stories from your backyard so one of the things I did when I was a kid is look a
things I did when I was a kid is look a
things I did when I was a kid is look a lot in acorns and I found out there was
lot in acorns and I found out there was
lot in acorns and I found out there was a whole ecosystem within an acorn and
a whole ecosystem within an acorn and
a whole ecosystem within an acorn and this ecosystem starts when a beetle or a
this ecosystem starts when a beetle or a
this ecosystem starts when a beetle or a moth will talk about the beetle this is
moth will talk about the beetle this is
moth will talk about the beetle this is the acorn weevil with that huge nose
the acorn weevil with that huge nose
the acorn weevil with that huge nose look at that long skinny proboscis there
look at that long skinny proboscis there
look at that long skinny proboscis there lands on an acorn this is right living
lands on an acorn this is right living
lands on an acorn this is right living right around Washington DC and it looks
right around Washington DC and it looks
right around Washington DC and it looks like it’s an alien here it is here and
like it’s an alien here it is here and
like it’s an alien here it is here and what it does is it has a completely
what it does is it has a completely
what it does is it has a completely round head living inside that inside
round head living inside that inside
round head living inside that inside that capsule there you see there and it
that capsule there you see there and it
that capsule there you see there and it actually rotates that head backs back
actually rotates that head backs back
actually rotates that head backs back and forth and like an oil rig gradually
and forth and like an oil rig gradually
and forth and like an oil rig gradually saws a hole right to the center of the
saws a hole right to the center of the
saws a hole right to the center of the acorn turns around lays an egg and flies
acorn turns around lays an egg and flies
acorn turns around lays an egg and flies away and a little grub grows up inside
away and a little grub grows up inside
away and a little grub grows up inside that acorn eventually pushes out its
that acorn eventually pushes out its
that acorn eventually pushes out its head and it’s like toothpaste coming out
head and it’s like toothpaste coming out
head and it’s like toothpaste coming out of the tube this is the grub version of
of the tube this is the grub version of
of the tube this is the grub version of the acorn weevil making its appearance
the acorn weevil making its appearance
the acorn weevil making its appearance on this earth
on this earth
on this earth and plops to the ground and leaves an
and plops to the ground and leaves an
and plops to the ground and leaves an opening for other things to get in and
opening for other things to get in and
opening for other things to get in and you can look at the whole everything
you can look at the whole everything
you can look at the whole everything about ecology happens inside a single
about ecology happens inside a single
about ecology happens inside a single acorn once it’s breached so over time a
acorn once it’s breached so over time a
acorn once it’s breached so over time a whole community enters the acorn and one
whole community enters the acorn and one
whole community enters the acorn and one of the things I love to do is open up
of the things I love to do is open up
of the things I love to do is open up acorns and find out what’s happening
acorns and find out what’s happening
acorns and find out what’s happening inside them and the story that unfolds
inside them and the story that unfolds
inside them and the story that unfolds it’s a simple thing to do if you’re if
it’s a simple thing to do if you’re if
it’s a simple thing to do if you’re if you got kids you’d like to think like a
you got kids you’d like to think like a
you got kids you’d like to think like a kid try some acorns just drop them into
kid try some acorns just drop them into
kid try some acorns just drop them into water and the ones that float have
water and the ones that float have
water and the ones that float have creatures living inside of them it turns
creatures living inside of them it turns
creatures living inside of them it turns out that the mice and the squirrels
out that the mice and the squirrels
out that the mice and the squirrels which we normally think of as the
which we normally think of as the
which we normally think of as the enemies of acorns they’re eating them
enemies of acorns they’re eating them
enemies of acorns they’re eating them they’re the only way acorns survive and
they’re the only way acorns survive and
they’re the only way acorns survive and these mice for example and squirrels do
these mice for example and squirrels do
these mice for example and squirrels do the same thing bury acorns and little
the same thing bury acorns and little
the same thing bury acorns and little caches and in fact if you follow the
caches and in fact if you follow the
caches and in fact if you follow the fate of the acorns
fate of the acorns
fate of the acorns there is one researcher who buried a
there is one researcher who buried a
there is one researcher who buried a thousand acorns all over the place and
thousand acorns all over the place and
thousand acorns all over the place and returned to the next day and every one
returned to the next day and every one
returned to the next day and every one of them had moved so if you could
of them had moved so if you could
of them had moved so if you could actually mark acorns you would find out
actually mark acorns you would find out
actually mark acorns you would find out that they’re like animals they’re
that they’re like animals they’re
that they’re like animals they’re actually shooting across the landscape
actually shooting across the landscape
actually shooting across the landscape as different mice and squirrels dig them
as different mice and squirrels dig them
as different mice and squirrels dig them up and carry them to another spot and so
up and carry them to another spot and so
up and carry them to another spot and so acorns might travel miles carried from
acorns might travel miles carried from
acorns might travel miles carried from place to place to place to place by
place to place to place to place by
place to place to place to place by these animals before they are allowed to
these animals before they are allowed to
these animals before they are allowed to sprout another story another backyard
sprout another story another backyard
sprout another story another backyard story this was once a very successful
story this was once a very successful
story this was once a very successful beetle that occurred all across the
beetle that occurred all across the
beetle that occurred all across the eastern United States
eastern United States
eastern United States now it’s restricted to Block Island and
now it’s restricted to Block Island and
now it’s restricted to Block Island and very small patches otherwise an American
very small patches otherwise an American
very small patches otherwise an American bearing beetle and endangered species
bearing beetle and endangered species
bearing beetle and endangered species but there are bearing beetles of
but there are bearing beetles of
but there are bearing beetles of different kinds in different places and
different kinds in different places and
different kinds in different places and this thing is on a dead rat and without
this thing is on a dead rat and without
this thing is on a dead rat and without them we’d have a dead rats everywhere it
them we’d have a dead rats everywhere it
them we’d have a dead rats everywhere it would not be pleasant and so here’s
would not be pleasant and so here’s
would not be pleasant and so here’s another story of being a photographer I
another story of being a photographer I
another story of being a photographer I ended up at home with a lot of dead rats
ended up at home with a lot of dead rats
ended up at home with a lot of dead rats in the refrigerator and bearing beetles
in the refrigerator and bearing beetles
in the refrigerator and bearing beetles and these are lovely beetles these are
and these are lovely beetles these are
and these are lovely beetles these are one of the few animals that form a
one of the few animals that form a
one of the few animals that form a monogamous pair they mate for life and
monogamous pair they mate for life and
monogamous pair they mate for life and they actually bury the rat together they
they actually bury the rat together they
they actually bury the rat together they roll
roll
roll up into a ball and transform it into a
up into a ball and transform it into a
up into a ball and transform it into a squishy mass and that’s over to the
squishy mass and that’s over to the
squishy mass and that’s over to the right side of this picture that was once
right side of this picture that was once
right side of this picture that was once a rat and on top of it they lay their
a rat and on top of it they lay their
a rat and on top of it they lay their eggs and it’s like a bird nest but it’s
eggs and it’s like a bird nest but it’s
eggs and it’s like a bird nest but it’s a rat and the larvae grow up and here
a rat and the larvae grow up and here
a rat and the larvae grow up and here they are regurgitating rat two babies
they are regurgitating rat two babies
they are regurgitating rat two babies one of the few morally high note animals
one of the few morally high note animals
one of the few morally high note animals that I can mention another thing to do
that I can mention another thing to do
that I can mention another thing to do for National Geographic and to tell
for National Geographic and to tell
for National Geographic and to tell stories is to pick an animal that
stories is to pick an animal that
stories is to pick an animal that everyone thinks they know and explore it
everyone thinks they know and explore it
everyone thinks they know and explore it in new ways and so for some time I was
in new ways and so for some time I was
in new ways and so for some time I was traveling around the world looking at
traveling around the world looking at
traveling around the world looking at praying mantises and praying mantises
praying mantises and praying mantises
praying mantises and praying mantises are familiar to everybody they’re loved
are familiar to everybody they’re loved
are familiar to everybody they’re loved by people everywhere here’s a Burmese
by people everywhere here’s a Burmese
by people everywhere here’s a Burmese boy with a Mantid in his hands and so we
boy with a Mantid in his hands and so we
boy with a Mantid in his hands and so we all kind of have an affinity to them in
all kind of have an affinity to them in
all kind of have an affinity to them in a way that we don’t – most insects but
a way that we don’t – most insects but
a way that we don’t – most insects but as you travel around you find
as you travel around you find
as you travel around you find extraordinary once I photographed a
extraordinary once I photographed a
extraordinary once I photographed a bunch of them for a story last year
bunch of them for a story last year
bunch of them for a story last year here’s one can you see the insect this
here’s one can you see the insect this
here’s one can you see the insect this is the head the arm and that’s the tail
is the head the arm and that’s the tail
is the head the arm and that’s the tail end and legs of a mantis that’s trying
end and legs of a mantis that’s trying
end and legs of a mantis that’s trying very hard to look just like lichen that
very hard to look just like lichen that
very hard to look just like lichen that previous one was from South America this
previous one was from South America this
previous one was from South America this one is from Africa a giant Mantid eating
one is from Africa a giant Mantid eating
one is from Africa a giant Mantid eating a gecko so everywhere you go you look
a gecko so everywhere you go you look
a gecko so everywhere you go you look for things and you find stories and the
for things and you find stories and the
for things and you find stories and the fun thing is that there are stories out
fun thing is that there are stories out
fun thing is that there are stories out there that nobody knows most of nature
there that nobody knows most of nature
there that nobody knows most of nature photography and nature documentaries
photography and nature documentaries
photography and nature documentaries rehashes the same stuff but there are
rehashes the same stuff but there are
rehashes the same stuff but there are extraordinary stories about all about
extraordinary stories about all about
extraordinary stories about all about the world and every creature that we
the world and every creature that we
the world and every creature that we think we know in an ordinary way becomes
think we know in an ordinary way becomes
think we know in an ordinary way becomes extraordinary if we look at it in a new
extraordinary if we look at it in a new
extraordinary if we look at it in a new fashion dance are fabulous they’re all
fashion dance are fabulous they’re all
fashion dance are fabulous they’re all female societies that get along
female societies that get along
female societies that get along perfectly it’s great
perfectly it’s great
perfectly it’s great they don’t need males here’s a couple of
they don’t need males here’s a couple of
they don’t need males here’s a couple of soldier army ants in Central America
soldier army ants in Central America
soldier army ants in Central America what do you think they do with those
what do you think they do with those
what do you think they do with those jaws anything Pleasant well probably not
jaws anything Pleasant well probably not
jaws anything Pleasant well probably not the soldier army ants are actually
the soldier army ants are actually
the soldier army ants are actually full-time defenders against vertebrates
full-time defenders against vertebrates
full-time defenders against vertebrates alike eh you and me and this is my
alike eh you and me and this is my
alike eh you and me and this is my finger a moment later and if you
finger a moment later and if you
finger a moment later and if you remember the length of the jaws and the
remember the length of the jaws and the
remember the length of the jaws and the previous image you can imagine they’re
previous image you can imagine they’re
previous image you can imagine they’re down to the bone they’re also stinging
down to the bone they’re also stinging
down to the bone they’re also stinging at the other end so it’s a little bit of
at the other end so it’s a little bit of
at the other end so it’s a little bit of things going on everywhere at once and I
things going on everywhere at once and I
things going on everywhere at once and I actually photographed the Queen I
actually photographed the Queen I
actually photographed the Queen I managed to get a picture of the Queen
managed to get a picture of the Queen
managed to get a picture of the Queen during our migration for National
during our migration for National
during our migration for National Geographic and I had to put my head down
Geographic and I had to put my head down
Geographic and I had to put my head down on the ground and a whole bunch of
on the ground and a whole bunch of
on the ground and a whole bunch of soldiers because she swarmed with
soldiers because she swarmed with
soldiers because she swarmed with soldiers went all over my head and I had
soldiers went all over my head and I had
soldiers went all over my head and I had to tweezer them out all night basically
to tweezer them out all night basically
to tweezer them out all night basically because their jaws have little recurved
because their jaws have little recurved
because their jaws have little recurved tips they really do look like fishing
tips they really do look like fishing
tips they really do look like fishing hooks with these little recurved knife
hooks with these little recurved knife
hooks with these little recurved knife blades at the end so we all grow up and
blades at the end so we all grow up and
blades at the end so we all grow up and we all love things that we saw as kids
we all love things that we saw as kids
we all love things that we saw as kids rainforests were a big thing for me but
rainforests were a big thing for me but
rainforests were a big thing for me but I love the deserts as well as my parents
I love the deserts as well as my parents
I love the deserts as well as my parents say when Here I am and some sand dunes
say when Here I am and some sand dunes
say when Here I am and some sand dunes in Colorado so I find my way to deserts
in Colorado so I find my way to deserts
in Colorado so I find my way to deserts sometimes Here I am with Warren savory
sometimes Here I am with Warren savory
sometimes Here I am with Warren savory and you find as you travel around there
and you find as you travel around there
and you find as you travel around there were eccentric people all over the world
were eccentric people all over the world
were eccentric people all over the world a lot of them concentrated in the US for
a lot of them concentrated in the US for
a lot of them concentrated in the US for some reason this is Warren savory who
some reason this is Warren savory who
some reason this is Warren savory who works for Food and Drug and his thing is
works for Food and Drug and his thing is
works for Food and Drug and his thing is salt Puget a group of creatures that no
salt Puget a group of creatures that no
salt Puget a group of creatures that no one talks about they’re called wind
one talks about they’re called wind
one talks about they’re called wind scorpions sometimes there’s often big
scorpions sometimes there’s often big
scorpions sometimes there’s often big and nasty here we are in the deserts of
and nasty here we are in the deserts of
and nasty here we are in the deserts of the southwest looking for them there’s
the southwest looking for them there’s
the southwest looking for them there’s one in this cup not too big and I
one in this cup not too big and I
one in this cup not too big and I started thinking well these are kind of
started thinking well these are kind of
started thinking well these are kind of cool what can I do with these and I’ve
cool what can I do with these and I’ve
cool what can I do with these and I’ve heard about huge ones overseas the cool
heard about huge ones overseas the cool
heard about huge ones overseas the cool thing about them is that the salt huge
thing about them is that the salt huge
thing about them is that the salt huge uns have the most enormous jaws for
uns have the most enormous jaws for
uns have the most enormous jaws for their body size of any living thing
their body size of any living thing
their body size of any living thing they’re not a scorpion they’re not
they’re not a scorpion they’re not
they’re not a scorpion they’re not anything else to their own group and
anything else to their own group and
anything else to their own group and here’s one scissoring a part a lizard
here’s one scissoring a part a lizard
here’s one scissoring a part a lizard and they have these horriffic
and they have these horriffic
and they have these horriffic heads that kind of come apart as they
heads that kind of come apart as they
heads that kind of come apart as they Jam their jaws at different angles and
Jam their jaws at different angles and
Jam their jaws at different angles and kill and eat things so I decided to go
kill and eat things so I decided to go
kill and eat things so I decided to go after the biggest ones I could and went
after the biggest ones I could and went
after the biggest ones I could and went to Iran and the first scientific
to Iran and the first scientific
to Iran and the first scientific expedition there a little over 10 years
expedition there a little over 10 years
expedition there a little over 10 years ago by Americans and I had a great time
ago by Americans and I had a great time
ago by Americans and I had a great time the Iranians were wonderful live and
the Iranians were wonderful live and
the Iranians were wonderful live and snuck into Afghanistan on my own those
snuck into Afghanistan on my own those
snuck into Afghanistan on my own those were the days and found all kinds of
were the days and found all kinds of
were the days and found all kinds of creatures including the Giants all Fugit
creatures including the Giants all Fugit
creatures including the Giants all Fugit and it turns out these things get
and it turns out these things get
and it turns out these things get several inches across and they don’t
several inches across and they don’t
several inches across and they don’t know how it to do anything without
know how it to do anything without
know how it to do anything without aggression so sex and saw huge uns
aggression so sex and saw huge uns
aggression so sex and saw huge uns involves either the female eating the
involves either the female eating the
involves either the female eating the male or the male beating the female so
male or the male beating the female so
male or the male beating the female so badly that she can’t eat him so she
badly that she can’t eat him so she
badly that she can’t eat him so she staggers off afterwards I’m not saying
staggers off afterwards I’m not saying
staggers off afterwards I’m not saying anything more about that weather so here
anything more about that weather so here
anything more about that weather so here I am with a Bob ney seus another
I am with a Bob ney seus another
I am with a Bob ney seus another scientist looking at a salt Fugit eating
scientist looking at a salt Fugit eating
scientist looking at a salt Fugit eating a gecko in Iran actually got stuck out
a gecko in Iran actually got stuck out
a gecko in Iran actually got stuck out in the middle of the desert with an
in the middle of the desert with an
in the middle of the desert with an Iranian group of military and the
Iranian group of military and the
Iranian group of military and the military were terrified of them because
military were terrified of them because
military were terrified of them because the people in that region believe that
the people in that region believe that
the people in that region believe that Saul Fugit will eat your face if you
Saul Fugit will eat your face if you
Saul Fugit will eat your face if you sleep so they refused to sleep to sleep
sleep so they refused to sleep to sleep
sleep so they refused to sleep to sleep and they started smashing them in the
and they started smashing them in the
and they started smashing them in the middle of the night whenever they get
middle of the night whenever they get
middle of the night whenever they get close to me and I had a screaming match
close to me and I had a screaming match
close to me and I had a screaming match with the military that went on for about
with the military that went on for about
with the military that went on for about two minutes with the head of the
two minutes with the head of the
two minutes with the head of the military face-to-face with me like this
military face-to-face with me like this
military face-to-face with me like this and we eventually decided we were both
and we eventually decided we were both
and we eventually decided we were both macho enough to go out and collect solve
macho enough to go out and collect solve
macho enough to go out and collect solve pooja together and I had a wonderful
pooja together and I had a wonderful
pooja together and I had a wonderful conversation with these guys with
conversation with these guys with
conversation with these guys with sentences like they only knew about ten
sentences like they only knew about ten
sentences like they only knew about ten words of English one of them was
words of English one of them was
words of English one of them was dinosaurs live America they had clearly
dinosaurs live America they had clearly
dinosaurs live America they had clearly seen Jurassic Park and Michael Jackson
seen Jurassic Park and Michael Jackson
seen Jurassic Park and Michael Jackson human
Galapagos a wonderful place to go and
Galapagos a wonderful place to go and I’ve worked there with a really
I’ve worked there with a really
I’ve worked there with a really brilliant guy frank sulloway who’s
brilliant guy frank sulloway who’s
brilliant guy frank sulloway who’s studied there for years Frank is one of
studied there for years Frank is one of
studied there for years Frank is one of these very serious scientists most of
these very serious scientists most of
these very serious scientists most of the time but he’s also a little bit
the time but he’s also a little bit
the time but he’s also a little bit eccentric so he travels with 12 teddy
eccentric so he travels with 12 teddy
eccentric so he travels with 12 teddy bears and many people know about the
bears and many people know about the
bears and many people know about the teddy bears and know the names of the
teddy bears and know the names of the
teddy bears and know the names of the teddy bears so if you meet Frank be sure
teddy bears so if you meet Frank be sure
teddy bears so if you meet Frank be sure to say hello to Darwin bear which is the
to say hello to Darwin bear which is the
to say hello to Darwin bear which is the lowest bear in the Galapagos with Frank
lowest bear in the Galapagos with Frank
lowest bear in the Galapagos with Frank the first time I was there just to give
the first time I was there just to give
the first time I was there just to give you a flavor of what it’s like to work
you a flavor of what it’s like to work
you a flavor of what it’s like to work in a research team Frank decided we
in a research team Frank decided we
in a research team Frank decided we should have the best diet and for him
should have the best diet and for him
should have the best diet and for him the best diet was to have the the most
the best diet was to have the the most
the best diet was to have the the most calories in the least weight because we
calories in the least weight because we
calories in the least weight because we had to carry all this stuff so I arrived
had to carry all this stuff so I arrived
had to carry all this stuff so I arrived at the Galapagos to find a pile of 1,400
at the Galapagos to find a pile of 1,400
at the Galapagos to find a pile of 1,400 Snickers bars
Snickers bars
Snickers bars Gary Dodson studies another kind of
Gary Dodson studies another kind of
Gary Dodson studies another kind of unusual creature that I heard about as a
unusual creature that I heard about as a
unusual creature that I heard about as a child and never seen photographed and
child and never seen photographed and
child and never seen photographed and these are the fighting flies
these are the fighting flies
these are the fighting flies these are stag flies he’s watching down
these are stag flies he’s watching down
these are stag flies he’s watching down below him they come to recently fallen
below him they come to recently fallen
below him they come to recently fallen trees and they were described by Alfred
trees and they were described by Alfred
trees and they were described by Alfred Russel Wallace an early Explorer and no
Russel Wallace an early Explorer and no
Russel Wallace an early Explorer and no one had really done much with them since
one had really done much with them since
one had really done much with them since but they’re wonderful things they’re
but they’re wonderful things they’re
but they’re wonderful things they’re sort of like what dr. Seuss would do
sort of like what dr. Seuss would do
sort of like what dr. Seuss would do with a fly they’re multicolored with all
with a fly they’re multicolored with all
with a fly they’re multicolored with all kinds of weird attributes including
kinds of weird attributes including
kinds of weird attributes including these and this is a one that’s sort of
these and this is a one that’s sort of
these and this is a one that’s sort of like a deer with these stag horns in the
like a deer with these stag horns in the
like a deer with these stag horns in the front they even have musk glands like
front they even have musk glands like
front they even have musk glands like deers do and they form Lexx and they
deers do and they form Lexx and they
deers do and they form Lexx and they fight and clash their horns together
fight and clash their horns together
fight and clash their horns together their antlers and there’s usually a
their antlers and there’s usually a
their antlers and there’s usually a female waiting nearby and she’s going
female waiting nearby and she’s going
female waiting nearby and she’s going for the guy with the best territory on
for the guy with the best territory on
for the guy with the best territory on this fallen log
this fallen log
this fallen log exactly like deer these flies vary quite
exactly like deer these flies vary quite
exactly like deer these flies vary quite a bit you ever watched the movie the 40
a bit you ever watched the movie the 40
a bit you ever watched the movie the 40 year old virgin this particular male fly
year old virgin this particular male fly
year old virgin this particular male fly would be a 40 year old virgin because
would be a 40 year old virgin because
would be a 40 year old virgin because his antlers are little stubs
his antlers are little stubs
his antlers are little stubs so some flies have huge antlers and
so some flies have huge antlers and
so some flies have huge antlers and Stubb thought some flies have small ones
Stubb thought some flies have small ones
Stubb thought some flies have small ones and one of the great things that Gary
and one of the great things that Gary
and one of the great things that Gary Dodson does is a little bit of special
Dodson does is a little bit of special
Dodson does is a little bit of special restoration work for the
restoration work for the
restoration work for the flies and knead and here he is gluing
flies and knead and here he is gluing
flies and knead and here he is gluing extensions on to impressed males and it
extensions on to impressed males and it
extensions on to impressed males and it turns out that once they have the
turns out that once they have the
turns out that once they have the extensions they’re fabulous this is a
extensions they’re fabulous this is a
extensions they’re fabulous this is a species that is more like a moose with
species that is more like a moose with
species that is more like a moose with gigantic antlers look for stories
gigantic antlers look for stories
gigantic antlers look for stories wherever you can find them sometimes
wherever you can find them sometimes
wherever you can find them sometimes they’re the unexpected little things and
they’re the unexpected little things and
they’re the unexpected little things and one place I have often found stories and
one place I have often found stories and
one place I have often found stories and I’ve been working on various things
I’ve been working on various things
I’ve been working on various things about the ecology of this little
about the ecology of this little
about the ecology of this little ecosystem are the surfaces of leaves and
ecosystem are the surfaces of leaves and
ecosystem are the surfaces of leaves and in the rainforest leaves can have tiny
in the rainforest leaves can have tiny
in the rainforest leaves can have tiny little plants growing on them called
little plants growing on them called
little plants growing on them called epiphysis so the subject of this picture
epiphysis so the subject of this picture
epiphysis so the subject of this picture isn’t this crane fly it’s these tiny
isn’t this crane fly it’s these tiny
isn’t this crane fly it’s these tiny little things at its feet and these are
little things at its feet and these are
little things at its feet and these are my newt plants and if you could blow
my newt plants and if you could blow
my newt plants and if you could blow them up it would look something like a
them up it would look something like a
them up it would look something like a forest on the surfaces of single leaves
forest on the surfaces of single leaves
forest on the surfaces of single leaves so here you have a sprouting plant on a
so here you have a sprouting plant on a
so here you have a sprouting plant on a leaf surface in a rain forest and all
leaf surface in a rain forest and all
leaf surface in a rain forest and all kinds of other plants there and you can
kinds of other plants there and you can
kinds of other plants there and you can find things like this is a liver wart
find things like this is a liver wart
find things like this is a liver wart and this is believe it now I liken it’s
and this is believe it now I liken it’s
and this is believe it now I liken it’s a leafy lichen minut thing and these are
a leafy lichen minut thing and these are
a leafy lichen minut thing and these are little fungi growing in forests on the
little fungi growing in forests on the
little fungi growing in forests on the surfaces of single leaves and they’re
surfaces of single leaves and they’re
surfaces of single leaves and they’re all kinds of stories about leaves and
all kinds of stories about leaves and
all kinds of stories about leaves and how leaves interact it’s not easy being
how leaves interact it’s not easy being
how leaves interact it’s not easy being green in the forest neither for frogs
green in the forest neither for frogs
green in the forest neither for frogs nor for plants and here’s a leaf
nor for plants and here’s a leaf
nor for plants and here’s a leaf sawing apart and other leaf the Johnny
sawing apart and other leaf the Johnny
sawing apart and other leaf the Johnny Appleseed of the epiphyses tiny little
Appleseed of the epiphyses tiny little
Appleseed of the epiphyses tiny little plants is this ant in Borneo this ant
plants is this ant in Borneo this ant
plants is this ant in Borneo this ant actually goes around and feeds on these
actually goes around and feeds on these
actually goes around and feeds on these minut plants and actually disperses
minut plants and actually disperses
minut plants and actually disperses their tiny little spores from place to
their tiny little spores from place to
their tiny little spores from place to place planting them from place to place
place planting them from place to place
place planting them from place to place so you get these little colonies of
so you get these little colonies of
so you get these little colonies of different kinds of plants growing on a
different kinds of plants growing on a
different kinds of plants growing on a single leaf here’s a cordyceps fungus
single leaf here’s a cordyceps fungus
single leaf here’s a cordyceps fungus it’s an ant that’s been invaded its
it’s an ant that’s been invaded its
it’s an ant that’s been invaded its brain has been taken over by this fungus
brain has been taken over by this fungus
brain has been taken over by this fungus it’s died on a leaf surface up in the
it’s died on a leaf surface up in the
it’s died on a leaf surface up in the treetops and what happens is that the
treetops and what happens is that the
treetops and what happens is that the fungus enters its brain takes over the
fungus enters its brain takes over the
fungus enters its brain takes over the mind of the ant which causes the ant to
mind of the ant which causes the ant to
mind of the ant which causes the ant to climb the tree and die up there
climb the tree and die up there
climb the tree and die up there on to a leaf and the fungus then sprouts
on to a leaf and the fungus then sprouts
on to a leaf and the fungus then sprouts these reproductive organs that come out
these reproductive organs that come out
these reproductive organs that come out its top and the ant serves as a vessel
its top and the ant serves as a vessel
its top and the ant serves as a vessel for the reproduction of this thing very
for the reproduction of this thing very
for the reproduction of this thing very bizarre little story and of course
bizarre little story and of course
bizarre little story and of course nothing like the Chinese to make it more
nothing like the Chinese to make it more
nothing like the Chinese to make it more interesting because for them these
interesting because for them these
interesting because for them these mind-control fungi are medicinal and
mind-control fungi are medicinal and
mind-control fungi are medicinal and this woman in Tibet and China is
this woman in Tibet and China is
this woman in Tibet and China is actually connected collecting little
actually connected collecting little
actually connected collecting little caterpillars that have been taken over
caterpillars that have been taken over
caterpillars that have been taken over by these fungi down there on the ground
by these fungi down there on the ground
by these fungi down there on the ground and a few years ago these things were
and a few years ago these things were
and a few years ago these things were made famous because several women in
made famous because several women in
made famous because several women in China broke world records and running
China broke world records and running
China broke world records and running supposedly from taking this as a drug
supposedly from taking this as a drug
supposedly from taking this as a drug these have been used as drugs for 20
these have been used as drugs for 20
these have been used as drugs for 20 centuries in China
centuries in China
centuries in China frogs are fun most people love frogs the
frogs are fun most people love frogs the
frogs are fun most people love frogs the only frog I’ve heard complaints about is
only frog I’ve heard complaints about is
only frog I’ve heard complaints about is the Chinese stinky frog this is it but
the Chinese stinky frog this is it but
the Chinese stinky frog this is it but fortunately you can’t smell it from here
fortunately you can’t smell it from here
fortunately you can’t smell it from here this is a roasted frog from Ivory Coast
this is a roasted frog from Ivory Coast
this is a roasted frog from Ivory Coast it is over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit
it is over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit
it is over a hundred degrees Fahrenheit out and this kind of frog will actually
out and this kind of frog will actually
out and this kind of frog will actually apply itself to the side of a leaf and
apply itself to the side of a leaf and
apply itself to the side of a leaf and dry out and just sit there covered with
dry out and just sit there covered with
dry out and just sit there covered with a kind of shellac so if you’ve ever had
a kind of shellac so if you’ve ever had
a kind of shellac so if you’ve ever had one of those little children’s things
one of those little children’s things
one of those little children’s things where you say just add water that’s what
where you say just add water that’s what
where you say just add water that’s what happens with this frog it unfolds into a
happens with this frog it unfolds into a
happens with this frog it unfolds into a frog at the first rain poisonous frogs
frog at the first rain poisonous frogs
frog at the first rain poisonous frogs have been one of my favorite things
have been one of my favorite things
have been one of my favorite things because they’ve got fabulous behavior
because they’ve got fabulous behavior
because they’ve got fabulous behavior and they’re often used as medicine so
and they’re often used as medicine so
and they’re often used as medicine so there there are medical purposes to some
there there are medical purposes to some
there there are medical purposes to some of these species here’s a frog that
of these species here’s a frog that
of these species here’s a frog that lives in an island in Panama in huge
lives in an island in Panama in huge
lives in an island in Panama in huge numbers this is a the poison dart frog
numbers this is a the poison dart frog
numbers this is a the poison dart frog species that actually lives on an island
species that actually lives on an island
species that actually lives on an island covered with frogs and tarantulas and
covered with frogs and tarantulas and
covered with frogs and tarantulas and every once in a while you find a
every once in a while you find a
every once in a while you find a tarantula on its back writhing and and
tarantula on its back writhing and and
tarantula on its back writhing and and dying while foaming at the mouth that
dying while foaming at the mouth that
dying while foaming at the mouth that presumably got bit or was bit by one of
presumably got bit or was bit by one of
presumably got bit or was bit by one of these frogs by accident in Africa
these frogs by accident in Africa
these frogs by accident in Africa you can find people using poisonous
you can find people using poisonous
you can find people using poisonous beetles these are the comb Bushmen and
beetles these are the comb Bushmen and
beetles these are the comb Bushmen and these beetles are actually used for
these beetles are actually used for
these beetles are actually used for their weapons over there their bows and
their weapons over there their bows and
their weapons over there their bows and arrows their errors are coated with the
arrows their errors are coated with the
arrows their errors are coated with the larvae of this beetle the frogs have the
larvae of this beetle the frogs have the
larvae of this beetle the frogs have the same purpose to some South American
same purpose to some South American
same purpose to some South American tribes and this is the most impressive
tribes and this is the most impressive
tribes and this is the most impressive of them terrible Asst the terrible one
of them terrible Asst the terrible one
of them terrible Asst the terrible one it was described in 1977 by a research
it was described in 1977 by a research
it was described in 1977 by a research team that went down there and found that
team that went down there and found that
team that went down there and found that it was so toxic that it was potentially
it was so toxic that it was potentially
it was so toxic that it was potentially lethal to the touch and so I decided to
lethal to the touch and so I decided to
lethal to the touch and so I decided to come back a few years ago I was the
come back a few years ago I was the
come back a few years ago I was the first outsider to visit this area since
first outsider to visit this area since
first outsider to visit this area since its discovery and this is the Frog here
its discovery and this is the Frog here
its discovery and this is the Frog here and you see it has quite a bit of
and you see it has quite a bit of
and you see it has quite a bit of attitude it’s like you’re like it’s a
attitude it’s like you’re like it’s a
attitude it’s like you’re like it’s a deadly frog and it’s hard to say oh
deadly frog and it’s hard to say oh
deadly frog and it’s hard to say oh please
please
please why shouldn’t I pet this thing but
why shouldn’t I pet this thing but
why shouldn’t I pet this thing but because it comes up and goes come on
because it comes up and goes come on
because it comes up and goes come on touch me come on come on and I had to
touch me come on come on and I had to
touch me come on come on and I had to get within two inches of this frog for
get within two inches of this frog for
get within two inches of this frog for the picture so it’s quite intriguing
the picture so it’s quite intriguing
the picture so it’s quite intriguing here’s how you collect them the Embera
here’s how you collect them the Embera
here’s how you collect them the Embera choko indians in this little village in
choko indians in this little village in
choko indians in this little village in colombia and a remote valley put them in
colombia and a remote valley put them in
colombia and a remote valley put them in special containers like this this is the
special containers like this this is the
special containers like this this is the only time I ever saw one of these
only time I ever saw one of these
only time I ever saw one of these Indians touch a frog and I think he was
Indians touch a frog and I think he was
Indians touch a frog and I think he was trying to impress me and as finger went
trying to impress me and as finger went
trying to impress me and as finger went numb but what do you do is you take one
numb but what do you do is you take one
numb but what do you do is you take one of the blowgun darts and you touch it to
of the blowgun darts and you touch it to
of the blowgun darts and you touch it to the back of the Frog and it’s good for a
the back of the Frog and it’s good for a
the back of the Frog and it’s good for a year here they are making the blow guns
year here they are making the blow guns
year here they are making the blow guns which was fun to do to watch and as well
which was fun to do to watch and as well
which was fun to do to watch and as well the tricky part is that they had certain
the tricky part is that they had certain
the tricky part is that they had certain sort of games down there they do they
sort of games down there they do they
sort of games down there they do they developed and one was why not shoot blow
developed and one was why not shoot blow
developed and one was why not shoot blow darts close to the funny foreign guy to
darts close to the funny foreign guy to
darts close to the funny foreign guy to see if he reacts and this whole thing
see if he reacts and this whole thing
see if he reacts and this whole thing just after a couple of days
just after a couple of days
just after a couple of days and anyway it was a complicated story it
and anyway it was a complicated story it
and anyway it was a complicated story it involved me using blowguns in defense
involved me using blowguns in defense
involved me using blowguns in defense against drug lords by the end of it to
against drug lords by the end of it to
against drug lords by the end of it to get out of there because we were caught
get out of there because we were caught
get out of there because we were caught between a rock and a hard place for sure
between a rock and a hard place for sure
between a rock and a hard place for sure and I will tell you the whole thing but
and I will tell you the whole thing but
and I will tell you the whole thing but it’s one of those great stories that you
it’s one of those great stories that you
it’s one of those great stories that you find National Geographic people able to
find National Geographic people able to
find National Geographic people able to do the fun part of the story for me was
do the fun part of the story for me was
do the fun part of the story for me was going to Panama later and looking at the
going to Panama later and looking at the
going to Panama later and looking at the loved glass of the poison dart frog and
loved glass of the poison dart frog and
loved glass of the poison dart frog and this is the top male on his log he’s the
this is the top male on his log he’s the
this is the top male on his log he’s the king of the king of the log and he beat
king of the king of the log and he beat
king of the king of the log and he beat up any other male that came along I I
up any other male that came along I I
up any other male that came along I I both hate this picture because I hate
both hate this picture because I hate
both hate this picture because I hate stage II lookin portrait pictures but
stage II lookin portrait pictures but
stage II lookin portrait pictures but he’s just too cute and people always ask
he’s just too cute and people always ask
he’s just too cute and people always ask me if I glued the hands together here’s
me if I glued the hands together here’s
me if I glued the hands together here’s Kyle summers a researcher following a
Kyle summers a researcher following a
Kyle summers a researcher following a frog up the tree here and she’s looking
frog up the tree here and she’s looking
frog up the tree here and she’s looking for a bromeliad you know those plants
for a bromeliad you know those plants
for a bromeliad you know those plants are the pineapple top plant so there are
are the pineapple top plant so there are
are the pineapple top plant so there are little ones here but she’s looking for a
little ones here but she’s looking for a
little ones here but she’s looking for a big one like these in the treetops you
big one like these in the treetops you
big one like these in the treetops you see these thorny masses and those hold
see these thorny masses and those hold
see these thorny masses and those hold water in the in their centers and she
water in the in their centers and she
water in the in their centers and she finds one of those little pools she
finds one of those little pools she
finds one of those little pools she backs in and she deposit deposits her
backs in and she deposit deposits her
backs in and she deposit deposits her tadpole in that little private pond and
tadpole in that little private pond and
tadpole in that little private pond and now she walks back down to the ground
now she walks back down to the ground
now she walks back down to the ground and picks up the next tadpole and she
and picks up the next tadpole and she
and picks up the next tadpole and she delivers it to another tree in another
delivers it to another tree in another
delivers it to another tree in another spot why does she go to all this work it
spot why does she go to all this work it
spot why does she go to all this work it turns out that tadpoles
turns out that tadpoles
turns out that tadpoles unlike the adult frogs aren’t poisonous
unlike the adult frogs aren’t poisonous
unlike the adult frogs aren’t poisonous yet and so they’ll be eaten by things
yet and so they’ll be eaten by things
yet and so they’ll be eaten by things like these canopy crabs this one will
like these canopy crabs this one will
like these canopy crabs this one will probably just scoot over and eat that
probably just scoot over and eat that
probably just scoot over and eat that one right away so she doesn’t put all
one right away so she doesn’t put all
one right away so she doesn’t put all her eggs in one basket she scatters them
her eggs in one basket she scatters them
her eggs in one basket she scatters them around and now the great part she’s
around and now the great part she’s
around and now the great part she’s distributed two dozen three dozen
distributed two dozen three dozen
distributed two dozen three dozen tadpoles in different places she goes
tadpoles in different places she goes
tadpoles in different places she goes down to the ground and starts doing our
down to the ground and starts doing our
down to the ground and starts doing our normal froggy things which are usually
normal froggy things which are usually
normal froggy things which are usually eating ants this is where these frogs
eating ants this is where these frogs
eating ants this is where these frogs get their poisons they eat a lot of ants
get their poisons they eat a lot of ants
get their poisons they eat a lot of ants which are of course full of poisons and
which are of course full of poisons and
which are of course full of poisons and their stings and so forth and they
their stings and so forth and they
their stings and so forth and they transform those poisons but she just
transform those poisons but she just
transform those poisons but she just does her normal froggy things for a few
does her normal froggy things for a few
does her normal froggy things for a few days and then suddenly she starts
days and then suddenly she starts
days and then suddenly she starts climbing the trees again and she manages
climbing the trees again and she manages
climbing the trees again and she manages to remember where she put all two dozen
to remember where she put all two dozen
to remember where she put all two dozen tadpoles scattered in three-dimensional
tadpoles scattered in three-dimensional
tadpoles scattered in three-dimensional space a memory feat the beach squirrels
space a memory feat the beach squirrels
space a memory feat the beach squirrels and just about anything else even though
and just about anything else even though
and just about anything else even though a frog’s brain isn’t supposed to be very
a frog’s brain isn’t supposed to be very
a frog’s brain isn’t supposed to be very big or very sophisticated and so she now
big or very sophisticated and so she now
big or very sophisticated and so she now goes back up and she looks into each
goes back up and she looks into each
goes back up and she looks into each pool where she left her tadpole baby and
pool where she left her tadpole baby and
pool where she left her tadpole baby and the tadpole of it still there will raise
the tadpole of it still there will raise
the tadpole of it still there will raise its tail and wiggle the tail to say
its tail and wiggle the tail to say
its tail and wiggle the tail to say hello mom kind of sign language for
hello mom kind of sign language for
hello mom kind of sign language for tadpoles and she backs in and she lays a
tadpoles and she backs in and she lays a
tadpoles and she backs in and she lays a little infertile egg and you see the
little infertile egg and you see the
little infertile egg and you see the tadpole behind her here in the water and
tadpole behind her here in the water and
tadpole behind her here in the water and that egg has hurt the omelet of her baby
that egg has hurt the omelet of her baby
that egg has hurt the omelet of her baby for the next few days she tends all her
for the next few days she tends all her
for the next few days she tends all her babies for the next couple of months as
babies for the next couple of months as
babies for the next couple of months as they develop into young frogs an amazing
they develop into young frogs an amazing
they develop into young frogs an amazing feat of motherhood
feat of motherhood
feat of motherhood well serious scientists abound of course
well serious scientists abound of course
well serious scientists abound of course and for some years I was at Berkeley and
and for some years I was at Berkeley and
and for some years I was at Berkeley and I I came from Harvard and everyone in
I I came from Harvard and everyone in
I I came from Harvard and everyone in Harvard was it oh there was a little
Harvard was it oh there was a little
Harvard was it oh there was a little tension floating around there so I went
tension floating around there so I went
tension floating around there so I went to Berkeley and they were so laid-back
to Berkeley and they were so laid-back
to Berkeley and they were so laid-back I couldn’t resist moving there for a
I couldn’t resist moving there for a
I couldn’t resist moving there for a while and working with them so here we
while and working with them so here we
while and working with them so here we have some of the leading scientists of
have some of the leading scientists of
have some of the leading scientists of Berkeley
Berkeley
Berkeley head poppin fuzz is here he’s studies
head poppin fuzz is here he’s studies
head poppin fuzz is here he’s studies lizards and Iran and other places with
lizards and Iran and other places with
lizards and Iran and other places with no government he lurks places with no
no government he lurks places with no
no government he lurks places with no government Jim Patton studies rats he
government Jim Patton studies rats he
government Jim Patton studies rats he can tell rat species apart by taste
can tell rat species apart by taste
can tell rat species apart by taste David Wake is the leader in frog the
David Wake is the leader in frog the
David Wake is the leader in frog the loss of frogs around the worlds and at
loss of frogs around the worlds and at
loss of frogs around the worlds and at the far end we have Harry Greene who
the far end we have Harry Greene who
the far end we have Harry Greene who studies snakes and what are they doing
studies snakes and what are they doing
studies snakes and what are they doing here do you suppose oh don’t know it’s
here do you suppose oh don’t know it’s
here do you suppose oh don’t know it’s so obvious
so obvious
so obvious they’re putting on pantyhose there from
they’re putting on pantyhose there from
they’re putting on pantyhose there from Berkeley but it has nothing to do with
Berkeley but it has nothing to do with
Berkeley but it has nothing to do with Berkeley they are simply preparing to
Berkeley they are simply preparing to
Berkeley they are simply preparing to protect themselves from leeches I prefer
protect themselves from leeches I prefer
protect themselves from leeches I prefer leeches over pantyhose any day here’s a
leeches over pantyhose any day here’s a
leeches over pantyhose any day here’s a hairy green collecting a venomous tree
hairy green collecting a venomous tree
hairy green collecting a venomous tree snake and I’ve worked with a lot of
snake and I’ve worked with a lot of
snake and I’ve worked with a lot of snake people I love snakes and I’ve had
snake people I love snakes and I’ve had
snake people I love snakes and I’ve had many fun experiences with snakes this
many fun experiences with snakes this
many fun experiences with snakes this was one of the more fun ones because
was one of the more fun ones because
was one of the more fun ones because this is not a snake anyone can tell what
this is not a snake anyone can tell what
this is not a snake anyone can tell what this is it it is in fact a flat worm
this is it it is in fact a flat worm
this is it it is in fact a flat worm which is a worm so primitive it has no
which is a worm so primitive it has no
which is a worm so primitive it has no brain and yet it is managing to mimic a
brain and yet it is managing to mimic a
brain and yet it is managing to mimic a snake it’s a kind of a snakey head at
snake it’s a kind of a snakey head at
snake it’s a kind of a snakey head at this end at the species I discovered in
this end at the species I discovered in
this end at the species I discovered in Borneo this is snake island
Borneo this is snake island
Borneo this is snake island and it’s a island off of South Paulo
and it’s a island off of South Paulo
and it’s a island off of South Paulo that has the most venomous snakes in the
that has the most venomous snakes in the
that has the most venomous snakes in the world one every two square yards so
world one every two square yards so
world one every two square yards so within this little lit area here there
within this little lit area here there
within this little lit area here there would be maybe one-and-a-half to two of
would be maybe one-and-a-half to two of
would be maybe one-and-a-half to two of them and the really cool thing as I
them and the really cool thing as I
them and the really cool thing as I traveled with a scientist who was so
traveled with a scientist who was so
traveled with a scientist who was so eager to take me to this remote island
eager to take me to this remote island
eager to take me to this remote island that he came even though his arm was
that he came even though his arm was
that he came even though his arm was broken and so he staggered up the hill
broken and so he staggered up the hill
broken and so he staggered up the hill with poisonous snakes on every side and
with poisonous snakes on every side and
with poisonous snakes on every side and showed me proudly this species which
showed me proudly this species which
showed me proudly this species which lives only on the single island and it’s
lives only on the single island and it’s
lives only on the single island and it’s poison is so toxic because on this
poison is so toxic because on this
poison is so toxic because on this island it has to kill seabirds before
island it has to kill seabirds before
island it has to kill seabirds before they can take off and fly more than a
they can take off and fly more than a
they can take off and fly more than a couple of feet Jost Lewinsky was one of
couple of feet Jost Lewinsky was one of
couple of feet Jost Lewinsky was one of the greats
the greats
the greats snake people he had discovered new
snake people he had discovered new
snake people he had discovered new species of Cobra working in Burma and
species of Cobra working in Burma and
species of Cobra working in Burma and remote parts of China and I traveled
remote parts of China and I traveled
remote parts of China and I traveled with him in 2001 and a story that was
with him in 2001 and a story that was
with him in 2001 and a story that was very personal for me because Joey tried
very personal for me because Joey tried
very personal for me because Joey tried to get me to go on trips for years and I
to get me to go on trips for years and I
to get me to go on trips for years and I finally was able to go on this one to a
finally was able to go on this one to a
finally was able to go on this one to a very remote village this is the day
very remote village this is the day
very remote village this is the day before he died and he was hit by a crate
before he died and he was hit by a crate
before he died and he was hit by a crate which is a minut version it’s a small
which is a minut version it’s a small
which is a minut version it’s a small kind of Cobra and he had reached into a
kind of Cobra and he had reached into a
kind of Cobra and he had reached into a snake bag
snake bag
snake bag not realizing it was a real crate he
not realizing it was a real crate he
not realizing it was a real crate he thought it was a mimic of a crate there
thought it was a mimic of a crate there
thought it was a mimic of a crate there was a great deal of agony over this
was a great deal of agony over this
was a great deal of agony over this decision and he made at the moment this
decision and he made at the moment this
decision and he made at the moment this happened just as the towers were falling
happened just as the towers were falling
happened just as the towers were falling in September 11th so we got out of Burma
in September 11th so we got out of Burma
in September 11th so we got out of Burma to find that our news mattered nothing
to find that our news mattered nothing
to find that our news mattered nothing because we had no idea it took us three
because we had no idea it took us three
because we had no idea it took us three days to even find out what happened in
days to even find out what happened in
days to even find out what happened in the US and it led me to think a lot
the US and it led me to think a lot
the US and it led me to think a lot about what matters to people in nature I
about what matters to people in nature I
about what matters to people in nature I mean Joe is he was lying there dying we
mean Joe is he was lying there dying we
mean Joe is he was lying there dying we kept him going for a long time through
kept him going for a long time through
kept him going for a long time through mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but what
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but what
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation but what was he thinking about and I like to
was he thinking about and I like to
was he thinking about and I like to think he was thinking about how much he
think he was thinking about how much he
think he was thinking about how much he loves snakes and nature because true
loves snakes and nature because true
loves snakes and nature because true nature requires that you take risks if
nature requires that you take risks if
nature requires that you take risks if everything’s turned into a garden nature
everything’s turned into a garden nature
everything’s turned into a garden nature disappears this is the snake that got
disappears this is the snake that got
disappears this is the snake that got him it was about 10 inches long this is
him it was about 10 inches long this is
him it was about 10 inches long this is a man who made the right decision this
a man who made the right decision this
a man who made the right decision this is a Russian I met working in Vietnam
is a Russian I met working in Vietnam
is a Russian I met working in Vietnam and he had actually chopped off his
and he had actually chopped off his
and he had actually chopped off his finger after being bitten by a snake so
finger after being bitten by a snake so
finger after being bitten by a snake so you you do these things despite the
you you do these things despite the
you you do these things despite the risks because that’s what nature is
risks because that’s what nature is
risks because that’s what nature is about nature is about having it’s like
about nature is about having it’s like
about nature is about having it’s like falling in love love is a risk anything
falling in love love is a risk anything
falling in love love is a risk anything that you devote yourself to that has
that you devote yourself to that has
that you devote yourself to that has meaning it’s going to involve some risks
meaning it’s going to involve some risks
meaning it’s going to involve some risks and wiping those risks risks away
and wiping those risks risks away
and wiping those risks risks away doesn’t help anything and there are many
doesn’t help anything and there are many
doesn’t help anything and there are many of the people I deal with are great at
of the people I deal with are great at
of the people I deal with are great at finding ways of keeping the risks low
finding ways of keeping the risks low
finding ways of keeping the risks low but making great stories and adventures
but making great stories and adventures
but making great stories and adventures and learning about the world the last
and learning about the world the last
and learning about the world the last trip I did well a couple trips back now
trip I did well a couple trips back now
trip I did well a couple trips back now we dropped down a quarter mile deep into
we dropped down a quarter mile deep into
we dropped down a quarter mile deep into a sinkhole and at the bottom of this
a sinkhole and at the bottom of this
a sinkhole and at the bottom of this hole found a forest in its shaded depths
hole found a forest in its shaded depths
hole found a forest in its shaded depths including two new species of frogs and
including two new species of frogs and
including two new species of frogs and this is the great news about frogs frogs
this is the great news about frogs frogs
this is the great news about frogs frogs are going extinct they’re very fragile
are going extinct they’re very fragile
are going extinct they’re very fragile but we’re also finding a lot of them at
but we’re also finding a lot of them at
but we’re also finding a lot of them at the same time so we have both the great
the same time so we have both the great
the same time so we have both the great positive news about diversity we found a
positive news about diversity we found a
positive news about diversity we found a couple thousand species in the last few
couple thousand species in the last few
couple thousand species in the last few years and also
years and also
years and also these horrendous things happening to
these horrendous things happening to
these horrendous things happening to frogs around the world as many species
frogs around the world as many species
frogs around the world as many species are declining in numbers I’ve looked for
are declining in numbers I’ve looked for
are declining in numbers I’ve looked for all kinds of things over time it’s not
all kinds of things over time it’s not
all kinds of things over time it’s not fair to be an entomologist and being you
fair to be an entomologist and being you
fair to be an entomologist and being you know impressed by size but still I did
know impressed by size but still I did
know impressed by size but still I did once look for the world’s largest insect
once look for the world’s largest insect
once look for the world’s largest insect and it’s this Wetty from New Zealand
and it’s this Wetty from New Zealand
and it’s this Wetty from New Zealand this thing is 71 grams I broke the
this thing is 71 grams I broke the
this thing is 71 grams I broke the record for an adult insect at least four
record for an adult insect at least four
record for an adult insect at least four frogs though you have to go to West
frogs though you have to go to West
frogs though you have to go to West Africa and there I went after the
Africa and there I went after the
Africa and there I went after the world’s largest species and I was hoping
world’s largest species and I was hoping
world’s largest species and I was hoping to break the record and we got to six
to break the record and we got to six
to break the record and we got to six and a half pounds unfortunately the
and a half pounds unfortunately the
and a half pounds unfortunately the record is 7.2 so I need to go back again
record is 7.2 so I need to go back again
record is 7.2 so I need to go back again I suppose at the other end of the frog
I suppose at the other end of the frog
I suppose at the other end of the frog scale I went after the smallest frog
scale I went after the smallest frog
scale I went after the smallest frog this is the species from Brazil we spent
this is the species from Brazil we spent
this is the species from Brazil we spent three days going through leaf litter
three days going through leaf litter
three days going through leaf litter finding this tiny jumping dots Brazil is
finding this tiny jumping dots Brazil is
finding this tiny jumping dots Brazil is a great place to look for diversity and
a great place to look for diversity and
a great place to look for diversity and I did actually for a story on the
I did actually for a story on the
I did actually for a story on the Atlantic forests of Brazil which is the
Atlantic forests of Brazil which is the
Atlantic forests of Brazil which is the force along the coast a story on
force along the coast a story on
force along the coast a story on diversity just in frogs for Geographic
diversity just in frogs for Geographic
diversity just in frogs for Geographic just because there was so much to be
just because there was so much to be
just because there was so much to be found there that people haven’t
found there that people haven’t
found there that people haven’t photographed before this is the pumpkin
photographed before this is the pumpkin
photographed before this is the pumpkin frog tiny species poisonous frog
frog tiny species poisonous frog
frog tiny species poisonous frog fighting biting and nipping in each
fighting biting and nipping in each
fighting biting and nipping in each other and it turns out that they’re so
other and it turns out that they’re so
other and it turns out that they’re so aggressive that they will fight with
aggressive that they will fight with
aggressive that they will fight with their reflection in the mirror which is
their reflection in the mirror which is
their reflection in the mirror which is a lot of fun to get some time on your
a lot of fun to get some time on your
a lot of fun to get some time on your hands in Brazil this is the only fruit
hands in Brazil this is the only fruit
hands in Brazil this is the only fruit eating frog this species actually lives
eating frog this species actually lives
eating frog this species actually lives in a desert like coastal area with few
in a desert like coastal area with few
in a desert like coastal area with few insects and eats fruit this is a marine
insects and eats fruit this is a marine
insects and eats fruit this is a marine frog blending in down there next to some
frog blending in down there next to some
frog blending in down there next to some of the marine life it’s the only species
of the marine life it’s the only species
of the marine life it’s the only species of frog that will go down and eat things
of frog that will go down and eat things
of frog that will go down and eat things and tide pools and so there are a whole
and tide pools and so there are a whole
and tide pools and so there are a whole bunch of new frogs that had never been
bunch of new frogs that had never been
bunch of new frogs that had never been reported on my favorite though is the
reported on my favorite though is the
reported on my favorite though is the dancing frog and I think it’s important
dancing frog and I think it’s important
dancing frog and I think it’s important to take back some lessons from the bat
to take back some lessons from the bat
to take back some lessons from the bat dancing frog it lives in waterfalls so
dancing frog it lives in waterfalls so
dancing frog it lives in waterfalls so noisy that it can’t call very
noisy that it can’t call very
noisy that it can’t call very effectively it does call a little you
effectively it does call a little you
effectively it does call a little you can see its cheek pouches here but they
can see its cheek pouches here but they
can see its cheek pouches here but they basically it dances and it doesn’t very
basically it dances and it doesn’t very
basically it dances and it doesn’t very it’s sort of a John Travolta way it
it’s sort of a John Travolta way it
it’s sort of a John Travolta way it raises the leg on one side expands it
raises the leg on one side expands it
raises the leg on one side expands it like it’s got to be done slowly and then
like it’s got to be done slowly and then
like it’s got to be done slowly and then a little bit of this here and then here
a little bit of this here and then here
a little bit of this here and then here here here here now while it’s doing this
here here here now while it’s doing this
here here here now while it’s doing this I was told I was never going to be able
I was told I was never going to be able
I was told I was never going to be able to photograph this thing because it’s
to photograph this thing because it’s
to photograph this thing because it’s too shy and basically what I did is I
too shy and basically what I did is I
too shy and basically what I did is I what what you can do in the animal
what what you can do in the animal
what what you can do in the animal kingdom if you want to take a picture of
kingdom if you want to take a picture of
kingdom if you want to take a picture of something they say as impossible as you
something they say as impossible as you
something they say as impossible as you realize that once a male is preoccupied
realize that once a male is preoccupied
realize that once a male is preoccupied with a female you can do anything you
with a female you can do anything you
with a female you can do anything you want so as soon as he was dancing I
want so as soon as he was dancing I
want so as soon as he was dancing I snuck right up on him I was within 3
snuck right up on him I was within 3
snuck right up on him I was within 3 inches of him and the female hopped up
inches of him and the female hopped up
inches of him and the female hopped up in my shoulder and admired him from
in my shoulder and admired him from
in my shoulder and admired him from about this distance fabulous canopies
about this distance fabulous canopies
about this distance fabulous canopies are a place that I like to spend a lot
are a place that I like to spend a lot
are a place that I like to spend a lot of time I talked about climbing trees
of time I talked about climbing trees
of time I talked about climbing trees here’s a red-eyed tree frog up in the
here’s a red-eyed tree frog up in the
here’s a red-eyed tree frog up in the canopy in Costa Rica where this is where
canopy in Costa Rica where this is where
canopy in Costa Rica where this is where the species normally exists and I’ll
the species normally exists and I’ll
the species normally exists and I’ll tell you a couple quick canopy stories
tell you a couple quick canopy stories
tell you a couple quick canopy stories about frogs there are frogs that like to
about frogs there are frogs that like to
about frogs there are frogs that like to glide from trees this is the biggest of
glide from trees this is the biggest of
glide from trees this is the biggest of them this is is it true that people look
them this is is it true that people look
them this is is it true that people look like their pets and in the case this
like their pets and in the case this
like their pets and in the case this herpetologists discovered this lovely
herpetologists discovered this lovely
herpetologists discovered this lovely frog and it’s the biggest of them so
frog and it’s the biggest of them so
frog and it’s the biggest of them so it’s not a very good glider lands was
it’s not a very good glider lands was
it’s not a very good glider lands was kind of a splat but I did get a picture
kind of a splat but I did get a picture
kind of a splat but I did get a picture of it coming down the really great right
of it coming down the really great right
of it coming down the really great right glider though is the coqui frog and if
glider though is the coqui frog and if
glider though is the coqui frog and if you ever go to Puerto Rico this is a
you ever go to Puerto Rico this is a
you ever go to Puerto Rico this is a frog that you will see everywhere
frog that you will see everywhere
frog that you will see everywhere because it’s the most numerous amphibian
because it’s the most numerous amphibian
because it’s the most numerous amphibian on earth there are about 40,000 of them
on earth there are about 40,000 of them
on earth there are about 40,000 of them per hectare and all say Koki together
per hectare and all say Koki together
per hectare and all say Koki together every night and so the whole island
every night and so the whole island
every night and so the whole island explodes with their song and this frog
explodes with their song and this frog
explodes with their song and this frog has a very unusual lifecycle that was
has a very unusual lifecycle that was
has a very unusual lifecycle that was only discovered a few years ago when
only discovered a few years ago when
only discovered a few years ago when someone got up very early in and found
someone got up very early in and found
someone got up very early in and found out something about them what these
out something about them what these
out something about them what these frogs do is they sleep near the ground
frogs do is they sleep near the ground
frogs do is they sleep near the ground where it’s during the day when it’s too
where it’s during the day when it’s too
where it’s during the day when it’s too hot up in the trees and then as sunsets
hot up in the trees and then as sunsets
hot up in the trees and then as sunsets there’s a point in time when the birds
there’s a point in time when the birds
there’s a point in time when the birds have fallen asleep but before the
have fallen asleep but before the
have fallen asleep but before the tarantulas have woken up one it’s safe
tarantulas have woken up one it’s safe
tarantulas have woken up one it’s safe to climb the trees and they all climb
to climb the trees and they all climb
to climb the trees and they all climb the trees together it turns out
the trees together it turns out
the trees together it turns out tarantulas four are the big predators of
tarantulas four are the big predators of
tarantulas four are the big predators of frogs so it’s not good to come out when
frogs so it’s not good to come out when
frogs so it’s not good to come out when tarantulas are awake and they’re on the
tarantulas are awake and they’re on the
tarantulas are awake and they’re on the tree trunks mostly so they all climbed
tree trunks mostly so they all climbed
tree trunks mostly so they all climbed the trees together during about a 15
the trees together during about a 15
the trees together during about a 15 minute period at sunset and then they
minute period at sunset and then they
minute period at sunset and then they hop around in the canopy and do the
hop around in the canopy and do the
hop around in the canopy and do the little canopy thing all night and then
little canopy thing all night and then
little canopy thing all night and then at sunrise just as about Sun is
at sunrise just as about Sun is
at sunrise just as about Sun is beginning to show itself there’s again a
beginning to show itself there’s again a
beginning to show itself there’s again a 15-minute period when it’s safe to come
15-minute period when it’s safe to come
15-minute period when it’s safe to come down that is but after the tarantulas
down that is but after the tarantulas
down that is but after the tarantulas have gone to sleep but before the birds
have gone to sleep but before the birds
have gone to sleep but before the birds wake up and suddenly at about 5 o’clock
wake up and suddenly at about 5 o’clock
wake up and suddenly at about 5 o’clock in the morning – 5:15 in Puerto Rico
in the morning – 5:15 in Puerto Rico
in the morning – 5:15 in Puerto Rico everywhere it’s raining frogs because
everywhere it’s raining frogs because
everywhere it’s raining frogs because they save time on the commute at the
they save time on the commute at the
they save time on the commute at the size of a frog you can’t be hurt by a
size of a frog you can’t be hurt by a
size of a frog you can’t be hurt by a fall so you end up with just a rain of
fall so you end up with just a rain of
fall so you end up with just a rain of parental rain of frogs this is the one
parental rain of frogs this is the one
parental rain of frogs this is the one picture I got in focus tarantulas okay
picture I got in focus tarantulas okay
picture I got in focus tarantulas okay we’ll do a couple of spiders for you
we’ll do a couple of spiders for you
we’ll do a couple of spiders for you because I know you’re all like gearing
because I know you’re all like gearing
because I know you’re all like gearing up for eight-legged here and the
up for eight-legged here and the
up for eight-legged here and the tarantulas are one of my favorite groups
tarantulas are one of my favorite groups
tarantulas are one of my favorite groups here’s one that we caught in the act of
here’s one that we caught in the act of
here’s one that we caught in the act of shedding her skin she’s actually
shedding her skin she’s actually
shedding her skin she’s actually writhing out of this tight little sock
writhing out of this tight little sock
writhing out of this tight little sock which are the dark brown things above
which are the dark brown things above
which are the dark brown things above that’s her old skin if you have a pet
that’s her old skin if you have a pet
that’s her old skin if you have a pet tarantula this is the big mistake people
tarantula this is the big mistake people
tarantula this is the big mistake people make they they’ve start to they fall on
make they they’ve start to they fall on
make they they’ve start to they fall on their back and lie dormant it for a
their back and lie dormant it for a
their back and lie dormant it for a couple days they’re dormant because
couple days they’re dormant because
couple days they’re dormant because they’re about to shed their skin so
they’re about to shed their skin so
they’re about to shed their skin so people put a lot of transyl’s in the
people put a lot of transyl’s in the
people put a lot of transyl’s in the toilet when they’re just gearing up for
toilet when they’re just gearing up for
toilet when they’re just gearing up for their skin being shed so here you go
their skin being shed so here you go
their skin being shed so here you go this picture was called a new skin for
this picture was called a new skin for
this picture was called a new skin for mrs. ugly and the world press awards one
mrs. ugly and the world press awards one
mrs. ugly and the world press awards one of the fun places I look for tarantulas
of the fun places I look for tarantulas
of the fun places I look for tarantulas was in caves in Mexico went down to
was in caves in Mexico went down to
was in caves in Mexico went down to Oaxaca with Peter Sprouse here and these
Oaxaca with Peter Sprouse here and these
Oaxaca with Peter Sprouse here and these tarantulas have been collected but never
tarantulas have been collected but never
tarantulas have been collected but never studied so he looked around found a cave
studied so he looked around found a cave
studied so he looked around found a cave went in it eventually get in about a
went in it eventually get in about a
went in it eventually get in about a kilometer and found this tarantula and
kilometer and found this tarantula and
kilometer and found this tarantula and the
the
the Angella like all cave animals very big
Angella like all cave animals very big
Angella like all cave animals very big slender thing no eyes almost no eyes and
slender thing no eyes almost no eyes and
slender thing no eyes almost no eyes and Peter had tortured me on the way in
Peter had tortured me on the way in
Peter had tortured me on the way in because you know I’m carrying this
because you know I’m carrying this
because you know I’m carrying this camera bag didn’t know much about caving
camera bag didn’t know much about caving
camera bag didn’t know much about caving and so I was kind of pleased when the
and so I was kind of pleased when the
and so I was kind of pleased when the tarantula which had never been breathed
tarantula which had never been breathed
tarantula which had never been breathed on you know in millenia no one does
on you know in millenia no one does
on you know in millenia no one does breathed on these tarantulas freaked out
breathed on these tarantulas freaked out
breathed on these tarantulas freaked out and ran up his pant leg and he’s
and ran up his pant leg and he’s
and ran up his pant leg and he’s screaming what do I do what I do
screaming what do I do what I do
screaming what do I do what I do and I said don’t hurt it it’s an
and I said don’t hurt it it’s an
and I said don’t hurt it it’s an endangered species it did bite him and I
endangered species it did bite him and I
endangered species it did bite him and I made up stories about what we would have
made up stories about what we would have
made up stories about what we would have to do if the tarantula venom was serious
to do if the tarantula venom was serious
to do if the tarantula venom was serious but tarantulas actually don’t have any
but tarantulas actually don’t have any
but tarantulas actually don’t have any effect it’s like a bee sting okay have
effect it’s like a bee sting okay have
effect it’s like a bee sting okay have three short stories on spider life and
three short stories on spider life and
three short stories on spider life and I’m gonna tell them about jumping
I’m gonna tell them about jumping
I’m gonna tell them about jumping spiders jumping spiders are little
spiders jumping spiders are little
spiders jumping spiders are little spiders that you will find outside this
spiders that you will find outside this
spiders that you will find outside this building or anywhere in the United
building or anywhere in the United
building or anywhere in the United States hopping around they don’t make
States hopping around they don’t make
States hopping around they don’t make nests and they catch mosquitoes they do
nests and they catch mosquitoes they do
nests and they catch mosquitoes they do a lot of good for us and they hop their
a lot of good for us and they hop their
a lot of good for us and they hop their jumping spiders here’s one cotton freeze
jumping spiders here’s one cotton freeze
jumping spiders here’s one cotton freeze frame jumping from one twig to another
frame jumping from one twig to another
frame jumping from one twig to another and the three stories are from Sri Lanka
and the three stories are from Sri Lanka
and the three stories are from Sri Lanka just to give you an example from one
just to give you an example from one
just to give you an example from one spot
spot
spot this is murmur acne loop pata sort of
this is murmur acne loop pata sort of
this is murmur acne loop pata sort of the Jimmy Durante of the ant world of
the Jimmy Durante of the ant world of
the Jimmy Durante of the ant world of the spider world if you remember Jimmy
the spider world if you remember Jimmy
the spider world if you remember Jimmy Durante
Durante
Durante and has this enormous nose like a fair
and has this enormous nose like a fair
and has this enormous nose like a fair at one end and it wanders around
at one end and it wanders around
at one end and it wanders around blundering into things with this giant
blundering into things with this giant
blundering into things with this giant nose and you wonder what it’s all for
nose and you wonder what it’s all for
nose and you wonder what it’s all for until you see one walk up to another
until you see one walk up to another
until you see one walk up to another murmur acne lopata spider and then this
murmur acne lopata spider and then this
murmur acne lopata spider and then this nose it turns out splits down the middle
nose it turns out splits down the middle
nose it turns out splits down the middle and unfolds two enormous fangs and they
and unfolds two enormous fangs and they
and unfolds two enormous fangs and they battle with these fangs like gladiators
battle with these fangs like gladiators
battle with these fangs like gladiators in a duel throwing themselves back and
in a duel throwing themselves back and
in a duel throwing themselves back and forth like this and this one on the far
forth like this and this one on the far
forth like this and this one on the far right is backing away he’s freaking out
right is backing away he’s freaking out
right is backing away he’s freaking out and about to take off this one is sort
and about to take off this one is sort
and about to take off this one is sort of they rear up at the end of the battle
of they rear up at the end of the battle
of they rear up at the end of the battle like rocking in the ring remember that
like rocking in the ring remember that
like rocking in the ring remember that like whoa
here’s a tiny little fascia spider it’s
here’s a tiny little fascia spider it’s about the size of a dust speck it’s not
about the size of a dust speck it’s not
about the size of a dust speck it’s not probably what you’re looking at this is
probably what you’re looking at this is
probably what you’re looking at this is a normal jumping spider over here this
a normal jumping spider over here this
a normal jumping spider over here this is on the right side the little fascia
is on the right side the little fascia
is on the right side the little fascia species or the right side that little
species or the right side that little
species or the right side that little clump is a tiny little spider that looks
clump is a tiny little spider that looks
clump is a tiny little spider that looks like a bit of debris and we’d collected
like a bit of debris and we’d collected
like a bit of debris and we’d collected them in bamboo with Robert Jackson the
them in bamboo with Robert Jackson the
them in bamboo with Robert Jackson the researcher that I was working with on
researcher that I was working with on
researcher that I was working with on this project and it turns out that these
this project and it turns out that these
this project and it turns out that these little tiny spiders actually do look
little tiny spiders actually do look
little tiny spiders actually do look like debris on purpose they actually
like debris on purpose they actually
like debris on purpose they actually shake their body like debris moving in
shake their body like debris moving in
shake their body like debris moving in the wind so what they do for a living is
the wind so what they do for a living is
the wind so what they do for a living is that they enter the nests of normal
that they enter the nests of normal
that they enter the nests of normal sized jumping spiders like this is a
sized jumping spiders like this is a
sized jumping spiders like this is a mother here with her eggs and the facia
mother here with her eggs and the facia
mother here with her eggs and the facia comes in looking like a bit of debris
comes in looking like a bit of debris
comes in looking like a bit of debris blowing in the wind and the mother looks
blowing in the wind and the mother looks
blowing in the wind and the mother looks down and watches the facia
down and watches the facia
down and watches the facia she has very good vision they will
she has very good vision they will
she has very good vision they will actually understand TV these spiders
actually understand TV these spiders
actually understand TV these spiders they’re so good in their vision and she
they’re so good in their vision and she
they’re so good in their vision and she doesn’t know what to do as the facia s–
doesn’t know what to do as the facia s–
doesn’t know what to do as the facia s– picks up an egg and walks out with it
picks up an egg and walks out with it
picks up an egg and walks out with it because it’s just a clump of debris
because it’s just a clump of debris
because it’s just a clump of debris blowing in the wind here’s one that
blowing in the wind here’s one that
blowing in the wind here’s one that there’s stolen an actual baby spider
there’s stolen an actual baby spider
there’s stolen an actual baby spider from a mother it’s kind of playing with
from a mother it’s kind of playing with
from a mother it’s kind of playing with it like a cat with a mouse and I don’t
it like a cat with a mouse and I don’t
it like a cat with a mouse and I don’t know what you got around Washington DC
know what you got around Washington DC
know what you got around Washington DC but these were common in Berkeley you’ve
but these were common in Berkeley you’ve
but these were common in Berkeley you’ve got the guys with the Mohawks and the
got the guys with the Mohawks and the
got the guys with the Mohawks and the little spike things this white are kind
little spike things this white are kind
little spike things this white are kind of combines both of them as simonia
of combines both of them as simonia
of combines both of them as simonia teeth apiece now gals courtship is never
teeth apiece now gals courtship is never
teeth apiece now gals courtship is never easy and for spiders it’s like anything
easy and for spiders it’s like anything
easy and for spiders it’s like anything else it’s a rough world out there for
else it’s a rough world out there for
else it’s a rough world out there for the guys and it turns out that this
the guys and it turns out that this
the guys and it turns out that this gorgeous creature look at this guy here
gorgeous creature look at this guy here
gorgeous creature look at this guy here look at those gorgeous purples and reds
look at those gorgeous purples and reds
look at those gorgeous purples and reds and yellow legs who wouldn’t be
and yellow legs who wouldn’t be
and yellow legs who wouldn’t be impressed with this yeah it’s a hard
impressed with this yeah it’s a hard
impressed with this yeah it’s a hard thing to do
thing to do
thing to do attracting the lady look at her over
attracting the lady look at her over
attracting the lady look at her over there she’s all plump and pale on the
there she’s all plump and pale on the
there she’s all plump and pale on the right side he can start making his move
right side he can start making his move
right side he can start making his move but she’ll just run away this is what
but she’ll just run away this is what
but she’ll just run away this is what happens again and again I saw this up in
happens again and again I saw this up in
happens again and again I saw this up in the trees the male looks
the trees the male looks
the trees the male looks Daanish as the female rushes to the
Daanish as the female rushes to the
Daanish as the female rushes to the other side of the leaf and you’re going
other side of the leaf and you’re going
other side of the leaf and you’re going like females have rushed to the other
like females have rushed to the other
like females have rushed to the other side of the leaf for ten thousand a
side of the leaf for ten thousand a
side of the leaf for ten thousand a hundred thousand years in these spiders
hundred thousand years in these spiders
hundred thousand years in these spiders and the male is always astonished how
and the male is always astonished how
and the male is always astonished how did she do that where did she go
well eventually the male figures it out
well eventually the male figures it out that the rule of nature and he flips
that the rule of nature and he flips
that the rule of nature and he flips over to the correct side of the leaf and
over to the correct side of the leaf and
over to the correct side of the leaf and here he is making his slow approach and
here he is making his slow approach and
here he is making his slow approach and the female is looking a little nervous
the female is looking a little nervous
the female is looking a little nervous now what you have to do and this is a
now what you have to do and this is a
now what you have to do and this is a rule of courtship that I’ve learned with
rule of courtship that I’ve learned with
rule of courtship that I’ve learned with Melissa’s assistance is that you have to
Melissa’s assistance is that you have to
Melissa’s assistance is that you have to about Lissa get over here
about Lissa get over here
about Lissa get over here you have to you have to do what this
you have to you have to do what this
you have to you have to do what this spider does it’s really right over there
spider does it’s really right over there
spider does it’s really right over there what you have to do is you have to get
what you have to do is you have to get
what you have to do is you have to get down like this and move slowly towards
down like this and move slowly towards
down like this and move slowly towards the female a behavior that we signed us
the female a behavior that we signed us
the female a behavior that we signed us called groveling now some spiders are
called groveling now some spiders are
called groveling now some spiders are thank you very much
thank you very much
thank you very much some spiders are very impressed with
some spiders are very impressed with
some spiders are very impressed with that here’s the female here’s the male
that here’s the female here’s the male
that here’s the female here’s the male groveling this one is groveling so well
groveling this one is groveling so well
groveling this one is groveling so well he is like almost falling over backwards
he is like almost falling over backwards
he is like almost falling over backwards for this female and then they get
for this female and then they get
for this female and then they get together in the male they mate with
together in the male they mate with
together in the male they mate with their face they have like little squishy
their face they have like little squishy
their face they have like little squishy things and corkscrews that’s too much to
things and corkscrews that’s too much to
things and corkscrews that’s too much to describe of course mammals were much
describe of course mammals were much
describe of course mammals were much more reasonable animals we’re not like
more reasonable animals we’re not like
more reasonable animals we’re not like birds with all our colors and so forth
birds with all our colors and so forth
birds with all our colors and so forth so we tend to be much more sedate more
so we tend to be much more sedate more
so we tend to be much more sedate more sophisticated about our ways of
sophisticated about our ways of
sophisticated about our ways of approaching the female that’s why my
approaching the female that’s why my
approaching the female that’s why my marriage recently was very understated
marriage recently was very understated
marriage recently was very understated on Easter Island very traditional I
on Easter Island very traditional I
on Easter Island very traditional I think a ceremony hasn’t changed for a
think a ceremony hasn’t changed for a
think a ceremony hasn’t changed for a thousand years
I know you’ve all gone through this the
I know you’ve all gone through this the stripping and the re repainting your
stripping and the re repainting your
stripping and the re repainting your body sort of thing and but you know
body sort of thing and but you know
body sort of thing and but you know anyway I am here now part of a team
anyway I am here now part of a team
anyway I am here now part of a team we’re going out for more expeditions
we’re going out for more expeditions
we’re going out for more expeditions we’re going to try the match the animals
we’re going to try the match the animals
we’re going to try the match the animals with our color and our finesse and our
with our color and our finesse and our
with our color and our finesse and our stories and I hope you follow those
stories and I hope you follow those
stories and I hope you follow those stories in the years to come
stories in the years to come
stories in the years to come thanks so much
thanks so much
thanks so much [Applause]
[Applause]
[Applause] [Music]
”
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