BBC Earth 50 Top Natural History Moments | 50-41

BBC Earth12 minutes read

A forest creature in the Congo has lived for 44 million years and birds mate for life, building nests under boulders. Crocodiles attack wildebeests in the Grumeti River with intelligent hunting tactics, leading to chaos among the herd and a desperate search for water for survival.

Insights

  • Birds in the Congo have a unique nesting behavior where the female takes the lead in construction, showcasing gender roles in nature that differ from human norms.
  • Animal survival in various ecosystems involves complex interactions, such as crocodiles hunting wildebeests strategically and honey ants engaging in fierce battles over resources, highlighting the harsh realities of the natural world.

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Recent questions

  • How long has the forest creature in the Congo lived?

    The forest creature in the Congo has lived for 44 million years.

  • What do birds in the Congo do when mating?

    Birds in the Congo mate for life and build mud nests under boulders.

  • How do wildebeests in the Grumeti River face danger?

    Wildebeests in the Grumeti River face danger from crocodiles.

  • What happens when honey ants in the Congo face a drought?

    Honey ants in the Congo engage in fierce battles for resources during a drought.

  • How do snow leopards in the Himalayas hunt for survival?

    Snow leopards in the Himalayas hunt agile prey and navigate treacherous cliffs for survival.

Related videos

Summary

00:00

"Wildlife Survival and Intricate Behaviors"

  • A forest creature in the Congo has lived for 44 million years, with birds mating for life and building mud nests under boulders.
  • The male bird struggles with nest-building, but the female takes charge and collects soft furnishings.
  • The female seems satisfied with the nest, and they share incubation duties for three weeks, feeding chicks with worms and other prey.
  • Wildebeests can drink eight liters in one session, but they face danger from crocodiles in the Grumeti River.
  • Crocodiles attack wildebeests, causing confusion and chaos among the herd, with intelligent hunting tactics.
  • A drought leads to a desperate search for water, with honey ants from different colonies clashing for resources.
  • The honey ants engage in a fierce battle, leading to the annihilation of one colony and the capture of the queen by the invaders.
  • Snow leopards in the Himalayas hunt agile prey, with a female and her cub navigating treacherous cliffs for survival.
  • A drongo tricks meerkats with false alarms, mimicking their warning calls to steal their prey, showcasing the intricate dynamics of animal behavior.
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