Nature

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Too often in life, we overlook the little guys. But if we stop and get down to their level, a remarkable world is revealed. Take this gecko. The size of just a few raindrops, but somehow able to weather the greatest of storms. Or this bird, the weight of a nickel, who flies thousands of miles for a meal. And what about this drab-looking little fish? Well, he's a passionate artist whose work deserves its own gallery. So while they may be small, these creatures and others like them have survival secrets that are amongst the biggest and most surprising on planet Earth. It's time to meet "Nature's Miniature Miracles." The world is a big place, home to some huge animals. And it's exposed to wild weather.

Thunder cracks

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So what does that mean if you're one of the planet's small folk? How are you supposed to make a living in this big, bad world? Well, you need to adapt. You must develop amazing skills. And you've got to achieve some pretty mind-boggling feats, like coming back from the dead. And let's face it, there's no greater miracle than that. But whether big or small, all living creatures have the same basic needs -- food, finding a mate, and securing a safe place to live.

Birds chirping

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On an island in the Caribbean, a tiny crab's biggest issue is home security. Hermit crabs have soft bodies that make them vulnerable to attack from predators and the elements. A naked crab would quickly cook in the intense tropical sun. So these miniature miracles have come up with an incredible solution. They use abandoned seashells as mobile homes with 24/7 protection. But there's a problem. Right now, this crab is no bigger than a die. But he'll continue to grow throughout his life. So, if he wants to stay safe, he must always be on the lookout for a new, larger shell to move into. But finding a new home isn't as easy as you might think. On this paradise island, there's a surprising shortage of shells. Maybe this is the opportunity the small crab's been waiting for. Unfortunately, it's simply too big to take on right now. And he's not the only prospective buyer in the area. Hermit crabs can be anything from just a fraction of an inch to the size of a coconut. So there's a good chance this new home might suit someone else. With housing stock in such short supply, the local crabs have learned to do something really quite extraordinary. They've joined forces to set up their own housing market. Each crab is looking for the perfect property with the right shape, opening, and weight. Somehow, the crabs reach an agreement. And incredibly, they start to assemble in a chain -- largest at one end, smallest at the other. All lined up, they're ready to exchange, and not a real estate agent in sight. The biggest crab is the first to move. So far, so good. The chain is holding together. Our little crab gets in position, ready to make his big move. His size means he's at the bottom of the chain. But just as he vacates his old shell, a newcomer arrives on the scene, trying to beat him to it. He can't afford to be left homeless. That's a death sentence in this tropical heat. But fortune's on his side. After all the swapping, there's one empty shell left over. It's the same old shell he started with. And today, at least, there's no place like home.

Waves crashing

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Our next miniature miracle faces an even greater security challenge. On the east coast of Australia, 14 species of shark inhabit the shallow tropical waters of the Great Barrier Reef. The smallest of them all is the epaulette. At less than 3 feet long, his size unfortunately makes him ideal prey for some of the other larger sharks. In a world of bigger, badder sharks, how does the tiny epaulette stay off the menu? Without a safe home to retreat to, he keeps a low profile and waits. Twice a day, the tide goes out, which means conditions on the reef change dramatically. As the water departs, so do the big sharks. The water is far too shallow for them now. But now, the epaulette's size allows him to make the most of this brief moment in the life cycle of the reef. At last, he can stop worrying about being someone else's dinner and focus on finding his own. But it doesn't last long. The tide is still dropping. And soon, the epaulette's left high and dry. If he's not careful, he'll barbecue in the scorching Australian sun. Even more alarmingly, this fish out of water is struggling to breathe. But the miraculous epaulette has evolved an extraordinary strategy to cope with this. By slowing his breathing and heart rate and powering down his brain, he can survive on his last breath for up to an hour. When oxygen levels get critical, another incredible survival strategy kicks in. His fins turn into prototype legs. This cunning fish breaks all the rules. And he's the only shark that can walk himself out of danger.

Wind whistling

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The epaulette shark isn't the only miniature miracle to have evolved remarkable superpowers. High on a remote, rocky plateau in Venezuela lives the 1-inch-long pebble toad. Unusually for an amphibian, he can't hop. So, camouflaged against his surroundings, this hopless toad creeps around, looking for insects to eat. But he's not the only hunter up here. A toad-eating tarantula. Faced with the enemy, the toad employs an unexpected escape strategy. He transforms himself into a toad-like ball. Tensing all his muscles, he becomes rigid like rubber......perfect for bouncing down the mountain out of danger.

Insects chirping

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A female Arabian fat-tailed scorpion is on her regular nighttime hunt for beetles. But while she's looking for food, someone's eyeing her up as a potential meal -- a desert fox. Once the moon comes up, its soft light could expose her. But this scorpion has a super-sense, an early warning detection system that gives her an edge in this nocturnal world. UV-sensitive cells on her shell warn her it's an hour until moonrise......which gives her plenty of time to run and hide before it blows her cover.

Insects chirping

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When you're small, life's worries extend beyond just being eaten. A single raindrop looks like it might drown the tiny Brazilian pygmy gecko. Tricky when you live in a rain forest. But these geckos have evolved super hydrophobic skin. Water doesn't wet them. Their skin is so water-repellent that even a tumble into a puddle isn't fatal. These miniature marvels can literally walk on water. But sometimes, even remarkable physical adaptations aren't enough to ensure you survive. East Africa. Home to some of the world's largest mammals...

Elephant snorts

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...as well as one of its smallest -- a female elephant shrew, more commonly known by her African name of sengi. She's 300 times smaller than a lion...

Lion roars

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...and 8,000 times smaller than an elephant...

Elephant trumpets

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...which makes the vast savanna a very dangerous place to live. How on earth does she stay safe out here without being trampled? By living her life at top speed and with brain power far beyond her size. This miniature mastermind has designed and built a hidden network of trails. Even when she does encounter danger, these trails can mean the difference between life and death. A monitor lizard. Drawing on a mental map of her network, the clever sengi is able to figure out the best escape route. Our fast-footed fugitive is built for high-speed getaways. Like most mammals, and unlike reptiles, her legs are directly beneath her body... ...which makes her less stable, but much faster and more agile than the lizard. Astonishingly, this tiny tearaway who weighs just over a pound can reach speeds of nearly 18 miles per hour. For her size, she's twice as fast as a cheetah... ...which definitely qualifies her as one of our miniature miracles of nature.

Insects buzzing

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Life in the fast lane requires a lot of fuel. But while the sengi's secret network allows her to find food efficiently and discretely, not everyone has it so easy.

Birds chirping

Animals grunting

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We've all heard of the world's great animal migrations. Like the massive herds of caribou who trek 1,500 miles through the arctic wilderness every year to find food.

Geese honking

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And the 5 million snow geese who flock to northern Canada looking for a summer feast fit to feed a family.

Birds chirping

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But these are big animals traveling in gigantic groups. There's another much less known, but perhaps even more impressive annual migration, and this one isn't migration on a miniature scale. This is a miniature miracle on a mammoth migration. Meet the rufous hummingbird. This tiny bird weighs less than a nickle. And yet, every spring, she flies over 4,000 miles from Mexico to Alaska on her own. Her destination -- the Tongass National Forest, part of the largest temperate rain forest in the world. In spring when the forest wakes up, it offers the promise of a seasonal banquet.

Birds chirping

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Rufous hummingbirds spend the winter in the tropics, where competition for food is fierce. Here, they get the place to themselves. They range farther north than any other hummingbird. But when they get here, they can't afford to rest. Hummingbirds can flap their wings an unbelievable 50 times a second -- faster than the eye can see in real time. Great for hovering, but like any racy sports car, it's heavy on fuel. Every 20 minutes or so, she's running on empty. If she doesn't eat soon, she might not last the day. And if it wasn't enough that this mini marathon flyer has flown all the way from Mexico, it looks like she's arrived too early. The flowers she is hoping to drink nectar from haven't opened yet. But being a mini miracle, our little heroine doesn't get in a flap, for she has brains as well as stamina.

Tapping in distance

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She hears the distinctive tapping of someone else hard at work.

Tapping

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A red-breasted sapsucker is busy drilling holes in the trees to release the sweet syrup running inside. Tree sap is quite similar to flower nectar. They both contain sugar and protein. It's exactly what the hungry hummingbird needs. But if she brave enough to steal from a bird two and a half times her size? The sapsucker moves on to a neighboring tree to continue drilling. He'll be back to this one later once the sap is running freely. The cunning little hummingbird makes her move. Her tongue darts in and out around 13 times a second. If she's going to replenish her energy levels, she'll need to eat like this every 20 minutes. The hummingbird will rely on this sneaky strategy to survive, stealing food from right under the sapsucker's nose until the forest flowers bloom in a few weeks' time. Then, finally, she'll be able to enjoy the benefits of traveling such a long, long way.

Tapping

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Finding ingenious ways to adapt to their environment is what our miniature miracles excel at.

Insects chirping

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The tropical forests of Southeast Asia. As night falls, some mini monkeys are starting to stir. Five-inch-tall tarsiers. The ancestors of these primates were daytime hunters. But there was so much competition for food, they were forced into the shadows or they could have disappeared. But they didn't surrender. They evolved huge, gremlin-like eyes, the largest of any mammal relative to their body size. This helps them see in the faintest light. And enormous ears that seem to have a life of their own give them ultrasonic hearing. These two extraordinary super senses opened up the night, allowing tarsiers to hone in on almost anything that moves. Tarsiers are the only exclusively carnivorous primate. They eat mostly flying insects, including moths, locusts, beetles, and cicadas. Not the easiest of prey. Once they've got dinner in their sights, they've got just milliseconds to ambush and catch it. But with a genuine spring in their step, these miniature assassins have no problem taking a leap in the dark. You see, they've also got enormously long legs which they use to jump 40 times their own body length. And they're armed with long, slender fingers ideal for snatching prey. It's as if these pocket-sized hunters always belonged to the rain forest night. Perhaps the ultimate survivor in our list of miniature miracles is a plant that lives in one of the harshest places on earth --...the vast Sahara desert. Life here has far more to worry about than just finding food. Where on earth do you find water? Lots of plants can tolerate a few hours or days without water. Think about all the house plants that get neglected yet survive. But most will die if they're subjected to prolonged drought.

Wind whistling

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This small, dried out ball of twigs may have been dead for 100 years. And yet, despite appearances, all is not lost......because this plant is the resurrection plant. Blown by the wind, it's in desperate need of a drink. But around here, rain only falls once or twice a year. And in the world's biggest desert, you have to be very lucky to find it. A puddle may be just enough to raise it from the dead. Gradually, lifeless limbs soak up the precious water. Its resurrection has begun.

Thunder rumbles

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Now that it's come back to life, it must seize this opportunity to reproduce. But for that, this special plant needs yet another miracle.

Thunder rumbles

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Rain. The trigger for new life. A chance for its seeds to germinate. In just a few hours, new shoots emerge. And within weeks, these offspring of the original plant flower, producing seeds of their own. Sadly, it's not long before the burning African sun kills them. But the seeds within their withered branches live on, ready for when they find rain, even if it's a century from now.

Thunder rumbles

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In southern India, rain is a much more predictable event.

Thunder cracks

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Monsoon clouds are building.

Insects chirping

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This annual deluge triggers the breeding season for our next miniature miracle. Traditionally, male frogs rely on their croak to attract the opposite sex. But unfortunately, their chorus is falling on deaf ears. They're struggling to be heard over the noise of all this water. So these tiny frogs, each one no bigger than a paper clip, have claimed a rock for their castle. And now they're using a different technique to impress the opposite sex. These mini monarchs wave. The more testosterone they have, the more waving they do. All of which helps these frog princes attract a frog princess. The tiny frog's distinctive courtship behavior has earned them their name. These are foot-flagging frogs. Yet another stroke of genius from a small animal facing a big problem.

Animals chattering

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But the little frog's romantic trials are nothing compared to those of our next miniature miracle. He's embarking on possibly the most dangerous journey of his life, and all for the sake of trying to find a partner. This is the Australian peacock jumping spider, a miracle mover who can't afford to put a foot wrong. He's only the size of a grain of rice. Yes. He's that small. Which, in a place like this, means almost anything could be dangerous. But, in fact, the biggest threat of all is the female he's after. The silken road to finding her is littered with the remains of unsuccessful suitors. A stark warning that if he doesn't get this right, it could be his last day on the planet. She ambushes him from behind. Now, what can he do to win her over? Dance. Dance for his very life. He unfurls his striking fan and begins his routine. Its elaborate shape and vibrant colors resemble a tiny peacock's tail. But even his party outfit and his best moves aren't impressing her. Time to step it up a little. As is so often the case in the mating game, it's not the males but the females who call the shots. The more compelling the dance, the more likely she is to accept his advances. This mating ritual can go on for up to 50 minutes. But at last, his performance is rewarded, and they mate. He's done his bit and satisfied her needs. But now, her need is over. So she kills him anyway. After all, his body will be the perfect nourishment for their eggs.

Waves crashing

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Our next mini marvel wasn't blessed with vibrant markings or even disco dance moves. And yet, somehow, he's still got to attract the ladies. The world's oceans are filled with brilliant colors, all designed to make their wearers conspicuous. But the tiny Japanese puffer fish is so plain, he almost fades into the background. If he's going to have any success with the opposite sex, he needs to perform a miracle that defies belief. He is one of nature's finest landscape artists. With a design of mathematical precision in his head and only fins for tools, he starts to plow the sand. He's sculpting it into geometric shapes. This dedicated artist works 24 hours a day for an entire week. If he stops to rest, the current will destroy his creation. He adds shells for decoration. And then the final touches. At last, his vision is complete. Using only what was available to him, this 5-inch fish has sculpted a masterpiece over 6 feet across. It's a remarkable theater in the round, a stage for an all-important encounter. If this doesn't get him noticed, nothing will. A female, swollen with eggs and ready to partner up, is tempted over to have a look. He entices her into the center to get the best possible view. Impressed, she retreats, leaving him to make one critical alteration. By the next morning, the center of the sculpture has been flattened, and all the soft sand is in the middle. He's created the perfect nest. Right on cue, she arrives. They dance cheek-to-cheek. He fertilizes her eggs as she releases them. A quick flick of his fin, and he buries them in the sand. Eggs laid, she departs while he stays behind to fan them until they hatch, his extraordinary work of art fading away around him. It will be about a week before the puffer fish's tiny eggs hatch.

Birds chirping

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But nature's newborns come in all shapes and sizes. And unexpectedly, some of the biggest animals have the smallest babies relative to their size. Like a baby giant panda whose mom is 900 times her size when she is first born. Such a tiny cub is utterly dependent on her mother......and sometimes a bit of human help for the first 9 months of life. But what's the benefit to being born so small and helpless? It's thought that a giant panda's placenta isn't very efficient at passing on nutrients, so it's better for the cubs if they're born relatively early. After just 5 months in the womb, they transfer to their mother's nutrient-rich breast milk. The cubs won't gain independence until they are at least 18 months old. Another tiny baby that relies entirely on its mother's milk to develop is the red kangaroo. As adults, the red kangaroos are the largest living marsupial, with some males reaching 6 feet tall. Yet their babies are born the size of a jelly bean. That's an incredible 50,000 times smaller than mom. They're so tiny, they're practically fetal. Marsupials don't have placentas at all. The young are born after just one month of gestation in the uterus. They would be absolutely incapable of surviving in the outside world. But miraculously, the joey finds its way up through the mother's fur to the nipple inside her pouch. Here, it will continue to develop for at least 6 months. Latched on to the teat, the joey receives all the nutrients he needs, and the pouch keeps him warm and safe. Why venture out if you don't need to? But some babies have an amazing natural predisposition to run from the moment they're born. On an island off the coast of Mozambique, new life is stirring beneath the sand. Hundreds of green turtles, each one just 2 1/2 inches long, are emerging from the safety of their nest. Instinct alone is driving them to head for the sea. Their mothers came ashore to lay their eggs 7 weeks ago, but they left immediately after. So now the hatchlings must make the 100-yard dash down the beach without any protection from their parents. It's a dangerous journey for one so small, with yellow-billed kites and pied crows circling overhead.

Crows cawing

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But with some many hatchlings appearing at once, the predators can't catch them all. Even those that reach the sea aren't safe yet. The pounding waves make it difficult to catch a breath. Beyond the surf, the water is calmer. But still, the hatchlings aren't out of danger. Only 1 in 1,000 will survive to adulthood. But for the miracle babies that do, they may have 80 years of ocean adventures ahead of them. The green turtle isn't the only remarkable mini creature beneath the waves. We can't see them with the naked eye, but our seas are literally brimming with hidden heroes -- plankton. Thousands of different types and different species you'd need a microscope to see. Anything that drifts in the current is classified as plankton. The smallest are the plant-like phytoplankton, followed by the more animal-like zooplankton. Individually, they're not that exciting. But collectively, these critters are some of the most important species on our planet. They're the bedrock of the ocean food web. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the krill who get eaten by the fish. Then in come the diving birds, agile sea lions.

Dolphins squeaking

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Dolphins. Sharks. All the way up to the biggest animals on earth -- whales. But that's not all. These tiny phytoplankton perform a miracle the rest of us rely on. Just like terrestrial plants, they use light from the sun to photosynthesize and produce energy for themselves. One of the by-products of that process is oxygen -- a gas required by almost all life on Earth. There are so many phytoplankton in our oceans that they literally produce over half of all the oxygen we breathe... ...which just goes to show how important nature's miniature miracles are... ...and why we can't afford to overlook a single one of them. To learn more about what you've seen on this "Nature" program, visit pbs.org.