Cartwheels in the Desert: The Wasp vs. the Spider
In Cartwheels in the Desert: The Wasp vs. the Spider, narrator Sir David Attenborough invites us to discover The Namib, the oldest and one of the driest deserts in the world, where survival is a true test of nature's creativity. Meet two fascinating insects: the pompilid wasp and the golden wheel spider. Watch as the spider escapes the wasp’s sting and a grim fate by cartwheeling down a sandy slope in an incredible display of survival! This video is excerpted from BBC’s Africa, a study of the landscape and wildlife of the world’s wildest continent, Africa.
Lesson Express
Q: Why is fog so important to life in the Namib Desert, and how does it help creatures survive?
A: Fog provides a rare source of moisture in the extremely dry Namib Desert. Creatures like insects and plants have adapted to collect and use the water from the fog to survive in such harsh conditions.
Q: How does the golden wheel spider’s ability to cartwheel help it survive against predators like the pompilid wasp?
A: The golden wheel spider uses cartwheeling as a way to escape predators quickly. By rolling down steep sand dunes, it can move faster than its predator, making it harder to catch.
Q: What do you think would happen to the Namib Desert ecosystem if the fog stopped rolling in from the Atlantic Ocean?
A: Without fog, the already harsh desert would become even more uninhabitable. Many creatures that rely on fog for moisture, like the golden wheel spider, would struggle to survive, and the ecosystem could collapse.
More Like This
In Desert Survivors: Life in the Extreme Heat, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how animals like the golden mole, desert long-eared bat, and darkling beetle have adapted to survive life in the desert. From clever ways to gather water to unique hunting techniques, these creatures demonstrate the incredible resilience of life in the Namib and Negev deserts. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
In Desert Survivors: Life in the Extreme Heat, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes how animals like the golden mole, desert long-eared bat, and darkling beetle have adapted to survive life in the desert. From clever ways to gather water to unique hunting techniques, these creatures demonstrate the incredible resilience of life in the Namib and Negev deserts. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.