Deep Look

Watch Ferns Get Freaky

Look at the underside of a fern leaf. Those rows of orange clusters aren’t tiny insects; they’re spores waiting to be catapulted away. Once a spore lands, it grows into a tiny plant, from which fern sperm swim away, searching for an egg to fertilize. Think of *that* next time you’re hiking in the forest.

Watch Ferns Get Freaky

3m 44s

  • Watch Ferns Get Freaky: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Watch Ferns Get Freaky

    S11 E5 - 3m 44s

    Look at the underside of a fern leaf. Those rows of orange clusters aren’t tiny insects; they’re spores waiting to be catapulted away. Once a spore lands, it grows into a tiny plant, from which fern sperm swim away, searching for an egg to fertilize. Think of *that* next time you’re hiking in the forest.

  • These Solar-Powered Carnivorous Flatworms Divide and Conquer: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    These Solar-Powered Carnivorous Flatworms Divide and Conquer

    S11 E4 - 5m 16s

    Tiny marine flatworms called acoels hunt for prey in coral reefs. They're referred to as “plant-animals'' because they've got a partnership with photosynthetic algae that live inside of them. But this acoel's real superpower is its ability to regenerate any part of its body!

  • Sharpshooter Insects are Real Wizzes at Whizzing: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Sharpshooter Insects are Real Wizzes at Whizzing

    S11 E3 - 3m 57s

    Sharpshooters survive by guzzling a lot of plant sap. But drinking all of that liquid nutrition presents a problem for these tiny insects: How do they move it all out? Easy. They've perfected a super-propulsive urination technique using a special catapult in their butt.

WETA Passport

Stream tens of thousands of hours of your PBS and local favorites with WETA Passport whenever and wherever you want. Catch up on a single episode or binge-watch full seasons before they air on TV.