Micro Monsters with David Attenborough — S01E04 — Reproduction

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

00:00:49 The way they fight and feed and reproduce.

00:01:27 from the comparative simplicity of the millipede, to vast

00:02:24 If it didn't it would go extinct.

00:03:06 and ensure they get the best possible start in life.

00:03:55 As spiders go, she's huge.

00:05:00 He cautiously begins an approach...

00:06:20 The spiderlings are each no bigger than a pinhead.

00:07:18 But in colder climates, spring arrives late

00:07:57 In fact, her legs are so long, that she

00:08:48 But other plant-eaters in gentler climates use the same

00:09:32 All of them identical clones.

00:10:36 Most of them lay eggs.

00:11:26 Then she lets go, falls to the ground...

00:12:19 her once plump body is deflated and she dies.

00:13:03 The first half, the caterpillar,

00:14:06 claspers at the end of his abdomen to transfer his sperm to her.

00:15:06 Some, over a month or two, can grow to 40 times their original size.

00:16:04 ..metamorphosis.

00:16:50 Searching for a mate needs better eyesight than finding leaves.

00:17:58 and then waits for them to dry before attempting to fly.

00:19:18 as it is for all species.

00:20:03 And the tick that leaves its hedgehog host to lay its eggs.

00:20:59 chance of survival.