Simulating a Forest for 100 Days

The Daily USA

2 days ago

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00:00A hundred days ago, this forest was nothing more than a graveyard.

00:05But with time, it evolved through rain and fire.

00:11Watch as empires rise and predators fall.

00:15But the real question is, who can survive?

00:20On day one, the tank was built from dirt, a log, and a fox skeleton from head to toe.

00:34It may look barren now, but where there is death, there is life.

00:50The first plants began to emerge, and they overtook the landscape.

01:01There were animals both big and small.

01:06The snails were the earliest signs of life and spend most of their time eating.

01:13Everything was at peace.

01:16Though, this peace wasn't going to last for long.

01:19Plants were disappearing at an alarming rate, and not because of the snails.

01:24Something else was eating them.

01:26Something underground.

01:29Earthworms.

01:31They were taking over, and destroying everything in their path.

01:36I needed to control them.

01:38I needed a predator.

01:40Meet the Eastern Worm Snake.

01:42She is a master worm hunter, and hopefully she can keep their population in check.

01:50While this war was going on below ground, something magical began to grow above.

02:01Mushrooms.

02:02They are one of the fastest growing species on our planet, and snails have emerged to feed.

02:08These mushrooms were not the only life within the log.

02:16Inside, there lies the beginnings of an empire.

02:20This is a queen carpenter ant, and she is raising her first batch of young.

02:25Each one of these larvae is going to become a loyal worker to serve her empire.

02:32By day 21, the plants had grown dramatically.

02:39There were now many forms of life.

02:41But could they live together?

02:43This slug, for example, had just laid a pile of eggs.

02:49She has to stand watch, because other animals were out to eat them.

02:54Crickets.

02:55They were not only eating her eggs, but many of the plants, too.

03:00Their population was quickly getting out of hand.

03:04They didn't have a predator.

03:06Until now.

03:08Here is a male and female jumping spider.

03:13They make one deadly duo.

03:17After adding them into the tank, they began the hunt.

03:20The crickets have incredible eyesight, but the spider's vision is even better.

03:28They have eyes on the front and back of their head.

03:37With only one bite, he is totally paralyzed.

03:41It was time to enjoy her hard-earned meal.

03:43Now, life around the log did not go unnoticed.

03:53Inside, the queen's first worker had begun to hatch.

03:58The queen helped her emerge from her cocoon until she could stand on her own six feet.

04:04She was the first of many.

04:06By day 50, the tank was completely overgrown.

04:23The plants were choking each other out.

04:26I needed something to eat them.

04:28Something big.

04:30Meet the spike plate millipede.

04:32These large herbivores should eat many of the plants.

04:39After adding them in, they took refuge deep in the undergrowth.

04:44They explored the tank, looking for a safe place to hide.

04:50This one had walked right past a web.

04:58A jumping spider nest.

05:01This nest was built with one goal in mind.

05:08To protect her young.

05:10For now, she closes off the door and seals herself in.

05:14Meanwhile, the slug eggs were about to hatch.

05:21At this stage, they were completely transparent and the babies were trying to find a way out.

05:28The first baby manages to break free and soon, the rest follow.

05:34Clouds were rolling in, and all of the animals needed to hide.

05:48It could only mean one thing.

05:52It was about to rain.

05:54To rain.

06:16Many of the animals gathered after the storm for a drink.

06:19Even the worm snake made a short visit.

06:29By day 80, flowers began to bloom.

06:33Despite their beauty, not all life was balanced.

06:48The jumping spiders were having trouble finding food as the ants were taking over.

06:55Inside their nest, an army was forming.

07:02I needed to stop them.

07:05It was time to introduce a new predator.

07:09Here is a group of scorpions, and not just any scorpion.

07:14These are wood scorpions.

07:16They have powerful claws and a venomous sting.

07:19So, it was time to add them into the tank.

07:26I carefully lowered them into the undergrowth.

07:40Most of the scorpions decided to take shelter.

07:42But this one had wandered into jumping spider territory.

07:53He has no idea, because he is nearly blind.

07:57His only option was to stand completely still.

08:00She is tasting him to see if he is food.

08:11As she begins to walk away, he moves.

08:18But, it looks like he got away with it this time.

08:23That mistake almost cost him his life.

08:28And soon, day faded to night, and they reemerged.

08:35They glow under ultraviolet light, so they can recognize one another.

08:43In the shadows, there lived another mythical creature.

08:49The ornate Harvestman.

08:50They scavenged the dark terrain for whatever food they can find.

08:58By day 90, the dry season had come.

09:02There was no more rain, and the ground began to dry out.

09:10I carefully removed every last animal from the tank.

09:14But not for the reason you might think.

09:15Because on day 94, a dry thunderstorm was about to begin.

09:25A wildfire.

09:27It quickly began to spread.

09:28Everything began to burn until every last plant was gone.

09:43Or so I thought.

09:44From the ashes, sprouted new life.

09:56The cycle was going to begin all over again, and again, and again.

10:02Here is another ecosystem I made, and be sure to check it out.

10:05Check it out.

Simulating a Forest for 100 Days

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