Fire Ants - Most succesful creature that has ever lived | Full Episode

#fullepisode #animals #documentary #ocean

Witness one of natures ancient wonders - Fire Ants!
It has been adapting, evolving for 150 million years 14 000 species they are nearly everywhere thriving.
This is the story of solenopsis Invicta for 80 years it has been on a ceaseless march across the United States racking up six billion dollars every year in crop damage equipment repair and Pest Control conquering 340 million acres in 13 states and it's still on the Move globally now scientists are cracking their ancient secrets to success and survival we knew that we could speculate all day but to fully understand the ants we decided to bring them into the lab and obtain visual data.

[regolith]

This is one of the best nature documentaries I've ever seen and it's made by one dude using his daughters as actors. Amazing.

[michaelwatchulonis]

Thanks for all the kind comments. We initially shot it in stereo 3D. Keeping both cameras in perfect focus at that macro level is exceedingly difficult. My brilliant brother was the cinematographer. Fun fact, the entire flooding close up scene was shot in a kiddie pool, bottom cut out, sunk into the ground around a large fire ant mound. We coated the sides with baby powder so they couldn't climb out, then slowly flooded it with a hose. You can see the kiddie pool in the yard at 2:41. The extreme close ups of the fire ants finding safety and climbing out of the water was shot in a 5 gallon bucket painted black on the inside. The extreme closeup photos were shot at the University of Georgia using a special microscope and software that could compile a hundred photos in shallow focus into one razor sharp photo. Thank you UGA.

[comeasyouare]

Had a fire ant problem for years. Couldn't stand in one spot, or they get you. They seem to wait and bite all at the same time. Making their attack more effective. No more. I started taking care of free-range chickens, and no more fire ants. Seems the chickens think they're tasty.

[ecrusch]

I have to admit. I never thought I'd be fascinated by a documentary on ants.
You guys did a GREAT job.
Thanks.

[jacobfinder]

A very long time ago I read a book on Ants. The author at the end stated “If Ants were the size of a medium size dog, they would rule the earth”. I believe this

[Ltulrich]

This was one of the most fascinating documentaries I've ever seen. Major kudos to the creators.

[charlesgreathouse]

I live in southwest Louisiana and have fought fire ants all my life, but a few years ago another ant showed up. They are much smaller than the fire ant and move very fast. We call them crazy ants. They don’t bite and jump off if you get them on you. After a few years the fire ants have literally disappeared from our yard. Also termites have disappeared. Some scientist needs to study these little ants

[StephenGibsonRuRa]

Great program. Never thought I'd spend 50 minutes of my life watching a documentary about ants. Good job!

[timsexton]

My daughter and I watched this documentary countless times in the mornings before pre-school.
*_TRUST !!_*

[cschuh]

Near the beginning, he said "...mounds can reach 18" tall..." When I lived in Evans, GA, I saw a mound that was easily 5 feet tall, and backed up by another one 4 feet tall, about 50 feet away... A far cry from 18"...

[nathanwwolf]

This doc is EPIC, so well constructed, perfect!

[aeymed]

One of my fav channels on YouTube. Can't get this for free anywhere. Much appreciation ❤

[JorgeHernandezR]

Out of all the documentaries about ants this has been the most interesting and informative one I’ve seen thus far, this video was well put together and full of great information.

[larrymyers]

The best way to control the fire ant is mix lemon and lime extract and spray on the mound about 15 minutes before sundown. They can't dry off in the sun and it disolves the ecto skeleton.

[xNecromancerxxx]

This video should be intended to show how teamwork can conquer any and every obstacle the universe can throw down… Ants are so successful because of one thing, TEAMWORK!!

[fasteddie]

I can’t believe I just watched a video on ants, but this was just fascinating. Ants are remarkable little creatures….except at your picnic.

[drfirechief]

Great Documentary. I grew up in South Louisiana and now live in South Texas. Fire Ants are a constant, almost daily consideration. It's always good to hear that nature can help with nature if we help a little and then get out of the way.

[wellingtoncrescent]

As a schoolchild, I was required to read "Leiningen Versus the Ants" by Carl Stephenson, a short story from the December 1938 Esquire. It was so scary that I still remember it in my sixties, particularly the scenes where wave-after-wave of ants relentlessly attacked a human compound, even crossing moats of burning oil on the carcasses of their dead confrères.

[VCCAnimalStories-wctn]

The more I watch, the more I love animals. Thank you for translating it accurately

[jesush.christ]

When I was at FT Benning GA we were doing a road march at like 4am. When we take a break we lay down in the prone position with our rifles pointed outward, and I laid down on a fire ant mound. I had so many bites they made me get in the truck in case I had an allergic reaction. I learn a hard lesson that day.