Micro Monsters with David Attenborough — S01E03 — Courtship

00:00:05 Our world is not always the same.

00:00:44 to reveal in greater detail, than ever before, their lives -

00:01:24 In this series, we'll see the way they have evolved,

00:02:20 The tropical rainforests of Africa are teeming with a huge

00:03:09 Goliaths are among the strongest insects in the world.

00:03:57 with each trying to hook his horn under the other's shell.

00:05:24 He searches for a mate using smell, and, when he's close enough,

00:06:12 He pushes himself beneath her.

00:07:18 He only lives for two days, so his entire,

00:08:07 Here's one.

00:08:55 has evolved a surprisingly balletic way to win his mate.

00:09:49 They dance.

00:11:13 and she has ensured the best possible father for her young.

00:12:06 Each individual is less than the size of a grain of sand.

00:13:10 The colony's current dominant male is the yellower of the two.

00:14:03 In this colony, at least, violence pays.

00:15:01 But the male has a trick to increase the chances

00:16:09 This gift of food distracts the female

00:17:01 They can detect bat sonar to avoid being eaten.

00:18:20 Perhaps put off by the unwelcome advances of the male,

00:19:31 He's begun to impregnate her.

00:20:17 Every species of animal must reproduce.

00:20:54 But more important still is what happens next -

00:21:30 becomes the breeding machine that is an adult butterfly.