0:00:02 > 0:00:06Hola! Mis amigos. Bienvenido a Barney's America Latina.
0:00:06 > 0:00:08Arriba, arriba, it's show time!
0:00:08 > 0:00:11Let me introduce you to a crazy carnival of creatures, from fabulous
0:00:11 > 0:00:16freaky frogs to hollowing howler monkeys to manic meat-eating plants.
0:00:16 > 0:00:19Es magnifico! What's more, they're all connected to each other
0:00:19 > 0:00:24in this wonderful world of wildlife by funny and fantastic facts.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- Get on with it!- Oh, sorry.
0:00:26 > 0:00:31Tres, dos, uno. Es la hora de Barney's Latin America.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Barney, what are you doing?
0:01:04 > 0:01:06Just a bit of housework, Gem.
0:01:06 > 0:01:07You know, a bit of dusting here.
0:01:07 > 0:01:09Polishing there.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Housework, you, yeah,
0:01:11 > 0:01:16- pull the other one!- I'm very house proud. A bit like today's line-up.
0:01:16 > 0:01:18All right, well, what's so special about this place, then?
0:01:18 > 0:01:21It's a tree house. I always wanted to live in a tree house.
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I'm going to make sure this is the bestest one in Latin America.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Well, you're up against some tough competition.
0:01:27 > 0:01:29From tent-building bats...
0:01:29 > 0:01:33to ants who live in plants.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37Yeah, to frogs who build homes out of foam.
0:01:41 > 0:01:42Time for a break.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45I knew this wouldn't last.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47You can't rush a good job, Gem.
0:01:47 > 0:01:50Home sweet home.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Typical!
0:01:52 > 0:01:55Can you see the guns?
0:02:04 > 0:02:08First, a clever creature which hides its home where no-one would find it.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Those are swallows, aren't they?
0:02:12 > 0:02:14Actually they are Great Dusky Swifts
0:02:14 > 0:02:17and they spend most of their time feeding on airborne insects.
0:02:17 > 0:02:19So their home is in the air?
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Mainly, yeah.
0:02:21 > 0:02:25When birds have to lay eggs, they can't do it in mid-air.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Bombs away!
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- Ah, thanks.- So where do the swifts lay their eggs?
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Watch very carefully.
0:02:34 > 0:02:39Woah, that swift just flew straight through the waterfall.
0:02:39 > 0:02:41Yeah, and there goes another one.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43Surely the water would wash them away.
0:02:43 > 0:02:48No, because behind that curtain of water is a secret sheltered cliff.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49Shush, it's a secret.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Where the swifts build their nests and lay their eggs.
0:02:52 > 0:02:56Ah, crafty, no-one will ever find them there.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59But before our swifts can reach their nesting ledge
0:02:59 > 0:03:01they face a slippery climb up muddy cliffs.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03Cor, that looks like hard work.
0:03:03 > 0:03:05These swifts are expert climbers
0:03:05 > 0:03:08and they know this cliff like the back of their beak.
0:03:08 > 0:03:10And there's an egg, looks like it's found a home.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15A home made out of the only material around here...mud.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18But at least a mud nest keeps those eggs from getting washed away.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22Eggs-actly! It's not the prettiest home, but it is a safe one.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Living behind a waterfall
0:03:24 > 0:03:27is the perfect hiding place if you like your home to be private.
0:03:27 > 0:03:31They don't need a keeper outside because nobody's getting through.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36It's the perfect security fence made from a wall of water.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Next up is a very special lizard
0:03:39 > 0:03:43which is perfectly at home where most lizards wouldn't be.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46I know what those are, they are iguanas.
0:03:46 > 0:03:49Very good, but actually these are Marine Iguanas.
0:03:49 > 0:03:51So, you'd know where we'd expect to find them?
0:03:51 > 0:03:54Er, on a boat in the Navy?
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Very funny! Actually, these guys are called
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Marine Iguanas because they are quite at home living in the sea
0:04:01 > 0:04:03around the coast of the Galapagos Islands.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07- Isn't it a bit cold for them? - F-f-f-freezing!
0:04:07 > 0:04:11They're cold-blooded reptiles, they haven't got blood like you or me.
0:04:11 > 0:04:13They are indeed which is why
0:04:13 > 0:04:18these guys need to do some serious sunbathing before they take a dip.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21I think I'm done on this side, perhaps I should turn over.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24You're seriously blocking my sun.
0:04:24 > 0:04:26Yeah, well, don't forget the factor 30, mate.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29- Barney, they're lizards.- Oh, yeah...
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Anyway, looks like it's bath time.
0:04:32 > 0:04:34Here we go!
0:04:35 > 0:04:36Hee-hee!
0:04:36 > 0:04:39Geronimo!
0:04:39 > 0:04:42The iguanas are surprising good swimmers
0:04:42 > 0:04:45and they are just as at home in the water as they are on the land.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Yeah, looks like it!
0:04:47 > 0:04:49But why make your home on the rocks by the sea?
0:04:49 > 0:04:54Because these iguanas favourite food is yummy sea algae.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56Yes, that tastes good.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59I love a bit of algae. Yummy. Do you want some, Barney?
0:04:59 > 0:05:03I'll pass, thanks. So let's get this right, we've got lizards
0:05:03 > 0:05:07that should be living on dry land living in the sea as vegetarians?!
0:05:07 > 0:05:10Beats having to chase after bugs all day.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12Once they've had their fill, before they get too cold,
0:05:12 > 0:05:14they haul themselves back onto the rocks
0:05:14 > 0:05:19- to warm up again before the next course.- Sticky toffee pudding?
0:05:19 > 0:05:24- Sticky algae pudding, more like! - Ah, ah, ah...
0:05:24 > 0:05:29Oh, gross! Did that iguana do what I think it just did.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31Excuse me...
0:05:31 > 0:05:35Excuse me... Oh, excuse me...
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Sorry, I can't help it.
0:05:37 > 0:05:43Bless you! Yes, iguanas need to sneeze salty snot to get rid
0:05:43 > 0:05:47of all the excess salt which they get from eating all that algae.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Have you ever heard of using a hankie?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56So the Marine Iguana is linked to our Dusky Swifts
0:05:56 > 0:06:01by the fact that they've both made happy homes in weirdly wet places.
0:06:02 > 0:06:04OK...
0:06:04 > 0:06:07Time for another guest to move in.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09Hop to it then, Barney.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10Ah, very good, Gem.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13I see you've met our next guest, the Red-eyed Tree Frog.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18Has he not been getting enough sleep or something?
0:06:18 > 0:06:22Didn't you know red eyes are all the fashion in Latin America?
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Oh, sorry, Mr Frog.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27See that looks much better, you look like a princess.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30If you say so.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33Anyway, our red-eyed frog is part of our homely line-up
0:06:33 > 0:06:36because he's made his home in the treetops.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41- I guess that makes sense when you live in a rain forest.- Exactly!
0:06:41 > 0:06:44And our tree dwelling frogs have the perfectly designed flat bodies
0:06:44 > 0:06:48and big, flattened, pad-like toes to allow them to stick to leaves.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53Barney, imagine if you have suction-cup toes like that frog.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57Yeah, very cool, look at me go.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Barney, we've got a show to do.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Sorry, got a bit carried away.
0:07:01 > 0:07:06So our frog has its home in the trees, but here's the bizarre bit.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Red-eye tree frogs also lay their eggs right up in the trees.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14But I thought frogs need water to lay their eggs in.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16Mrs Tree Frog lays her eggs onto a leaf
0:07:16 > 0:07:19and they are surrounded by jelly which keeps them wet.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23She leaves them and a few weeks later they hatch into tadpoles.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27But come on, Barney, tadpoles really do need to live in the water.
0:07:27 > 0:07:31Yeah, not a problem, Gem, because water is just a drip away.
0:07:31 > 0:07:32Wee-ee!
0:07:34 > 0:07:35Geronimo!
0:07:36 > 0:07:40So the tadpoles do grow up in water after all?
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Yeah, but once they're big enough and have turned into frogs,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46they'll take up residence with Mum and Dad in their treetop home.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- I'm not a pony, you know, Son. - Yeah, I know, Dad.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Giddy-up!
0:07:51 > 0:07:55But what links the tree frogs to those iguanas?
0:07:55 > 0:07:58Well, just like the Marine Iguanas,
0:07:58 > 0:08:03tree frogs have made themselves at home on dry land and in the water.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Time for another ideal home.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13OK, so at least we're on dry land this time.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Yep, that's because our next guests live in a tree.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18Ah, cool, another bird?
0:08:18 > 0:08:20Smaller, Barney, much smaller.
0:08:20 > 0:08:22Oh, I see, ants.
0:08:22 > 0:08:24These ants have set up home in this tree
0:08:24 > 0:08:26which is called a Bull's Horn Acacia.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30I can see why. Those thorns are shaped like a pair of horns.
0:08:34 > 0:08:36I can't see it myself.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Moo! Blimey!
0:08:40 > 0:08:43And there's much more to the thorns than meets the eye.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Well, I'm sure he got the point!
0:08:45 > 0:08:47Do you get it? It's the point.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Ow!
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Each of these thorns is home to a family of ants
0:08:54 > 0:08:58which help to protect the tree from bugs and other predators.
0:08:58 > 0:09:02So, the ants are camping out inside the thorns of the tree. That's cool.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06Yeah, and if anything tries to eat the tree, the ants swarm out of
0:09:06 > 0:09:10their thorny home and sting them until they leave the tree alone.
0:09:10 > 0:09:15So the ants get lodgings and the tree gets ant body guards?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Yeah, but, Barn, it's even better than that.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20The ants don't just get accommodation, they also get food.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Well, I have to tell you, this sounds too good to be true.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25The tree produces special ant-size morsels
0:09:25 > 0:09:29which the ants can harvest and feed to their babies.
0:09:29 > 0:09:34Ah, look at the cute baby ant being fed tasty planty stuff.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Oh, Barney, come off it, cute!
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Gem, shush, you'll hurt his feel...
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Too late, now you've done it. Quick, Gem, do something.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Oh, erm, OK.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46# Rock-a-bye ant, in the tree top
0:09:46 > 0:09:50# When the tree blows the cradle will rock
0:09:50 > 0:09:54# When the rocks... # Can I stop this now, it's ridiculous.
0:09:54 > 0:09:57OK, but just be nice to the baby ant. He's very sensitive.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59Yes, I've noticed.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04So the lovely, cuddly ant not only gets a cosy thorn home...
0:10:04 > 0:10:06But they also get some nice nosh too.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09And all they have to do is keep watch over their leafy partner.
0:10:09 > 0:10:11I love ants, me!
0:10:11 > 0:10:12Mmm, right.
0:10:15 > 0:10:19The connection between our lovely ants and those frogs
0:10:19 > 0:10:22is that they both have made their homes in the treetops.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33Living in a rain forest, one thing is certain about the weather.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35It's going to be wet.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Lots of animals shelter from the rain in holes, burrows and caves,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41but how's about this for ingenuity?
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Barney, it's just a leaf.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46No, it isn't. It's a tent.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49And there's something living in it -
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- bats.- Oh, come off it, Barney.
0:10:52 > 0:10:56For one thing, bats live in big caves in huge colonies.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01I know my bats, you know.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04Knows her bats, she says? Well, I've never seen her before.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Neither have I.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10Well then, Gem, you've never seen a tent-making bat, have you?
0:11:10 > 0:11:12These guys don't live in caves at all.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14They find a nice, big leaf
0:11:14 > 0:11:18and using their sharp teeth, cut through the ribs of the leaf
0:11:18 > 0:11:21so that it flops down to form the perfect tent.
0:11:21 > 0:11:25OK, Barney. That's a new one for me.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28Hey, they look pretty cosy in there, don't they?
0:11:28 > 0:11:31Huddling together conserves warmth and they can stay here until
0:11:31 > 0:11:34the worst of the rain is over, then it's out to feed in the forest.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37That's got to be one of our cleverest homes yet.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44Yes, and it means that the acacia ants and the tent-making bat
0:11:44 > 0:11:47are connected because they both use plants as homes.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56Our next homemaker likes a bit of privacy
0:11:56 > 0:11:58so it's going to be tough to get a look at him.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00Hang on, I think I can see him.
0:12:00 > 0:12:02And there he is.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05It's the web spinner.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07That is one weird-looking bug.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Well, he doesn't just look weird, he acts pretty weird too.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13It looks like he's building a web.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16Well, given his name, that's pretty obvious.
0:12:16 > 0:12:18Yeah, nice one, Einstein.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Not the sharpest knife in the drawer, are you?
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Hang on, I thought it was spiders that spun webs to catch flies?
0:12:30 > 0:12:34And make great cobwebby backgrounds for old horror movies.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38Well, you'd think so, Barney, but spiders have some stiff competition
0:12:38 > 0:12:42when it comes to making webs from the remarkable web spinner.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Remarkable?- Yes, remarkable.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46I'm remarkable. All right?
0:12:46 > 0:12:48Give him a chance, Barney.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52OK, so he's building a bit of a silky web.
0:12:52 > 0:12:53It's no spider's web.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57That's because he makes his web in a very clever way.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59The web spinner has amazing front legs with special pads
0:12:59 > 0:13:02which produce silk and that's something a spider can't do.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Yeah.
0:13:04 > 0:13:08Wow, he's like Spider-Man with his super Spidey web-slinging mitts.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Erm, right. Anyway, using his special silk spinners,
0:13:11 > 0:13:15he weaves back and forth until he makes the perfect silk home
0:13:15 > 0:13:20to hide away from anything that fancies silk spinner for lunch.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24- Looks very cosy.- Yeah, and it's also a bit like a silk tent for one.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30Which links us back to our tent-making bats.
0:13:30 > 0:13:35Both the tent-making bats and the web spinner have cosy tents as homes.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40So, here we are. We've reached the halfway house.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43Our homely connections have taken us from security-conscious swifts...
0:13:43 > 0:13:46To our secretive web spinners.
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Hiding their homes behind waterfalls,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54the swifts have to put up with a water-swept home.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56A bit like the marine iguanas.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01Those red-eyed tree frogs have made their homes on land...
0:14:01 > 0:14:02And in the water.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09And wisely choosing the best place of all to live,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12the red-eyed frogs make their homes in trees
0:14:12 > 0:14:15just like the acacia ants.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18Which connect to our tent-making bats
0:14:18 > 0:14:20because they also make their homes from plants.
0:14:20 > 0:14:23And tents as homes seem to be the latest fashion,
0:14:23 > 0:14:26because the silk spinner also lives in a home-made tent.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32Which brings us back to our line-up and our next remarkable residents.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40Some of the smallest birds in the world are the hummingbirds.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43And because they're so small, they hardly weigh anything.
0:14:43 > 0:14:47It gives a whole new meaning to the expression "as light as a feather".
0:14:49 > 0:14:51Barney, get on with it.
0:14:51 > 0:14:55Being so small means you only need a small nest to raise a family in.
0:14:55 > 0:14:59This one is making a hanging home so it's safe from predators.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04If I could just get down to that nest, supper would be served.
0:15:04 > 0:15:07Just a little further.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10Ooh!
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Ow.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15Exactly. Nothing is going to be able to reach it there.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18That's a pretty good home, Barney.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- OK, next. - Woah, hold on, there's more, Gem.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Much more.
0:15:22 > 0:15:27Because hummingbirds are so tiny, they can use a unique building material to make their homes from.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- Spiders' silk.- Woah, that's amazing.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32The hummingbird has got some spiders' web
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and is wrapping it round and round its nest.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Not only does the silk hold the nest together, but it's very strong.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43In fact, spiders' silk is stronger than steel.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48So the hummingbird's nest is a reinforced residence.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Well, that's one way to keep out any unwanted guests.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53Foiled again.
0:15:53 > 0:15:55Ow!
0:15:57 > 0:15:59Both the web spinner and the hummingbird are connected
0:15:59 > 0:16:03because they both use super silk to make their humble homes.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Barney, you know how you think ants are quite sweet?- Yes, Gem.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Well, you're going to love our next guests.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15OK, bring them on.
0:16:18 > 0:16:20- It's the tarantula.- Ah!
0:16:20 > 0:16:24Gem, look, if there's one thing I can't stand, it's tarantulas.
0:16:24 > 0:16:25But why, Barney?
0:16:25 > 0:16:29Well, look at it! The hairy legs, those starey eyes.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33Actually, it just reminds me of you.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Just more legs.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37Oy!
0:16:37 > 0:16:42The tarantula comes out at night for a bite, but the rest of the time,
0:16:42 > 0:16:46it has an underground home in a burrow which it lines with silk.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50I see. It looks like this one's going visiting the neighbours.
0:16:50 > 0:16:55It's a male tarantula looking for Mrs Right to raise a family with.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59DOORBELL RINGS TUNELESS HUMMING
0:17:03 > 0:17:06- What?- Hiya, I was just wondering if you wanted to go out for dinner.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09Get lost!
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- OK, that's a no, then. - It looks like she's not too keen.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16DOORBELL RINGS
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Ah, but this one is. And it's not long before Mrs T
0:17:20 > 0:17:22is proudly protecting a large sac full of eggs.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Wow, there's loads of them.
0:17:26 > 0:17:30So, eventually there's the patter of tiny spiderlings
0:17:30 > 0:17:33and they stay at home with mum until they're big enough
0:17:33 > 0:17:36to venture out into the big, wide world on their own.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38Bye, thanks for everything.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- I wonder where my taxi is. - HORN BEEPS
0:17:41 > 0:17:44- Coming, mate.- So they'll make their own burrows to live in
0:17:44 > 0:17:46- when they're big enough?- Exactly.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52And the connection between our tarantulas and the web spinners is
0:17:52 > 0:17:55that they both use silk to make their homes.
0:17:58 > 0:18:02- Knock, knock.- Who's there? - Twit.- Twit who?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04I got you, you went twit twoo.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07Like our next homely guest. It's the burrowing owls.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Like an owl, you know, twit twoo.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I don't get it.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13It's a joke, we're owls. Twit twoo.
0:18:13 > 0:18:15It's a rubbish joke.
0:18:17 > 0:18:21So I'm guessing these owls don't make their nests in trees like other owls?
0:18:21 > 0:18:25Exactly. These owls have given up on a treetop penthouse suite
0:18:25 > 0:18:29and settled for a home below the ground floor in the basement.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Dave, come and give me a hand to tidy the house, will you?
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I'm, er, standing guard, Sheila.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35- Standing guard?- Yes, standing guard.
0:18:35 > 0:18:40- I ask you one thing and you can't even be bothered.- Standing guard.
0:18:40 > 0:18:43Stop that, it's going in my face. Sheila, it's getting in my face.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46Is it too much to ask you to do a couple of things?
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Standing guard.
0:18:48 > 0:18:52I have to say they do look very at home underground.
0:18:53 > 0:18:58And they're very protective of their property too.
0:18:58 > 0:19:01Don't come any closer, and you.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04Any trouble...and they do this.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06Aren't they over-reacting a bit?
0:19:06 > 0:19:10No, because the big wing look should scare off most intruders.
0:19:10 > 0:19:12But if it doesn't...
0:19:12 > 0:19:16Woah, it knocked that guy right off his feet.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25But what if an uninvited guest doesn't get the message?
0:19:25 > 0:19:28Well, a stern talking-to soon makes them realise they aren't invited.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Looks like he's got the message.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38There's the reason Mum and Dad have been so protective of their home.
0:19:38 > 0:19:40- Look at the cute baby owls.- Cute?
0:19:40 > 0:19:44- They'd have your finger off given a chance.- I still think they're cute.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48Back to their homes and there's a reason why they live underground.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51Not only is it safe, it's nice and cool.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58So I guess the connection with the tarantulas
0:19:58 > 0:20:00is that they both like to live in an underground burrow?
0:20:00 > 0:20:03Spot on, Gem. Right, your turn.
0:20:06 > 0:20:09One thing Latin America is not short of is fish.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13Yeah, there are all sorts of different fish that live here,
0:20:13 > 0:20:16from the electrifying to the terrifying.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20And from the beautiful to the bizarre.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22So what is a fish doing on our list?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25Surely a fish's home is just in the water.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30- In a way that's true, but this is the Midas Cichlid.- The Midas what lid?
0:20:30 > 0:20:32It's a Midas Cichlid
0:20:32 > 0:20:37and it manages to make a home out of much more than just water.
0:20:37 > 0:20:40Hey, looks like our fish has found a partner.
0:20:40 > 0:20:45That's two fishy fellows and they're out to show each other who's boss.
0:20:45 > 0:20:51- Oi, move it, mate.- No, you move it. - This is my pad, get out of it.- Ow!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55Looks like someone's going to have a sore head.
0:20:55 > 0:20:59He's got rid of the competition so he can get on with building his home.
0:20:59 > 0:21:03Oh, yeah, look, he's moving gravel out the way to make a pit.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05He's made a nest in the gravel
0:21:05 > 0:21:08which'll make the perfect home to raise a family.
0:21:08 > 0:21:12It's not long before the missus turns up to survey his handiwork.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15I'd have chosen a different coloured rock, but it'll do.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17What? She's never happy.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21So are you telling me that fish make nests just like birds do?
0:21:21 > 0:21:23Yep. And it's for the same reasons.
0:21:23 > 0:21:26When the eggs hatch, keeping the baby fish in a nest in the gravel
0:21:26 > 0:21:28makes it easier to look after them.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32Looks like they don't plan to let anyone anywhere near their property.
0:21:32 > 0:21:33Oi! Move along, mate.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Well, that's to make sure that none of the baby fish get eaten.
0:21:36 > 0:21:39Ah, but look at all the cute little fishy-wishies.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41Barney, they're just fish.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43Oh! Ah, look at that one there.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Ah...
0:21:46 > 0:21:48So I'm guessing the link between our burrowing owls
0:21:48 > 0:21:51and the Midas Cichlids has something to do with the nests?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55And you'd be guessing right, Barney.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57The burrowing owls and the cichlids
0:21:57 > 0:21:59have nest homes where they raise their family.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06Our next homemakers work together to build a hanging home.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08Ah, those are wasps, aren't they?
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Those are no ordinary wasps, they are paper wasps.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14Speaking of which, here's one I made earlier.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Barney, can we get on with the show?
0:22:17 > 0:22:19Oh, OK. Go on, buzz off.
0:22:23 > 0:22:27- These wasps have something in common with the wasps at home.- Hola.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31- Hello.- They build nests?
0:22:31 > 0:22:35Yes, but have you ever seen one of our common wasps making its home?
0:22:35 > 0:22:39They land on a bit of wood and scrape it with their jaws,
0:22:39 > 0:22:42and then mix it with saliva to form paper.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44That is what they make their nests from.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47So that's why these guys are called Paper Wasps?
0:22:47 > 0:22:49But isn't their home a bit flimsy?
0:22:49 > 0:22:53Nope, because all the cells which form the inside of the nest
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- form a surprisingly strong home. - Wow! I'm impressed. That's clever.
0:22:57 > 0:23:02- These Latin-American wasps are not that different from our wasps.- Yes.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04And as their home get bigger,
0:23:04 > 0:23:08more wasps hatch out and help make the nest bigger still.
0:23:08 > 0:23:11It's amazing how they all work together as a team.
0:23:11 > 0:23:13Yeah, and whilst they work, the colony is watched over
0:23:13 > 0:23:17by wasp guards in case something decides to attack their home.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19Corporal, anything to report?
0:23:19 > 0:23:21Em, wasps.
0:23:21 > 0:23:22Good.
0:23:22 > 0:23:25Looks pretty secure to me.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27I wouldn't want to mess with those wasps!
0:23:30 > 0:23:34Which brings us to our connection with the Midas Cichlids.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Both the wasps and the Cichlids
0:23:36 > 0:23:38patrol and protect their homes from predators.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49And last, but not least are the best home makers of all - the termites.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51These guys are experts in construction.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53Looks like it from the size of those towers.
0:23:53 > 0:23:55Those towers are more impressive
0:23:55 > 0:23:57when you see the size of the construction team.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59They're clever, these termites.
0:23:59 > 0:24:03Yeah, they are. And they've taken to living in a high-rise apartment.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07Those mounds are way taller than me!
0:24:07 > 0:24:10And all built by an army of teeny tiny termites.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13Come on, then, how do they build those things?
0:24:13 > 0:24:16By mixing a bit of mud with their saliva,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19they make a kind of cement which dries into a brick hard layer.
0:24:21 > 0:24:24Wow! They're good at that as well!
0:24:24 > 0:24:26Good? I'm flipping great!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30Yep, but if you think that's clever, cop a load of this.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34This is the termite mound's air-conditioning system,
0:24:34 > 0:24:37and it makes sure that the nest stays at just the right temperature.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- Are they chimneys?- Yep, they allow air to circulate into the mound,
0:24:41 > 0:24:44keeping all the termites at just the right temperature
0:24:44 > 0:24:47while they work at building their magnificent tower block.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50OK, so they are top builders, then.
0:24:50 > 0:24:51Ah, but I haven't finished.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54The termite tower blocks are so impressive
0:24:54 > 0:24:57there's even space to rent out some rooms to tenants.
0:24:57 > 0:24:59Looks like they don't mind sharing the joint with some bird buddies.
0:24:59 > 0:25:03I saw this penthouse apartment and I just had to have it.
0:25:03 > 0:25:04Or a lizard lodger.
0:25:04 > 0:25:06Termite Towers is the place to live.
0:25:06 > 0:25:09Fair to say, this is one popular pad.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Exactly, which makes termites the ultimate homemakers.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15Not only do they build an amazing tower block for themselves,
0:25:15 > 0:25:18but they also construct homes for other animals as well.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21You know what, they have to be some of the best homemakers of all.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26And they are connected to the paper wasps
0:25:26 > 0:25:30because they build their homes by working together as a colony.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33And because the termites use mud and saliva as their building material,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37that leads us right back to our dusky swifts and their mud nests.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44Time to take a look back at all of our amazing homemakers...
0:25:44 > 0:25:46From the truly great dusky swifts...
0:25:46 > 0:25:49..to the terrific termites.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Our swifts were connected to the marine iguanas
0:25:52 > 0:25:55because they both had rather wet homes.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01But the iguanas were just as at home on land, which links them to...
0:26:01 > 0:26:03the red-eyed tree frogs. Ribbit!
0:26:03 > 0:26:08Nice. Now, tree houses like this one have to be the best in town,
0:26:08 > 0:26:11which is why the acacia ants also choose to live in them.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13But if you can't find a tree,
0:26:13 > 0:26:15a plant will do.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19The tent-making bats make homes out of a plant, like the acacia ants.
0:26:19 > 0:26:22Tents are all the rage in the jungle
0:26:22 > 0:26:25and they link the tent-making bats to the web spinner.
0:26:25 > 0:26:30Also using silk to make a remarkable home is the hummingbird,
0:26:30 > 0:26:33which links to another silk dwelling for the tarantula.
0:26:35 > 0:26:39But it's a silk-lined burrow which connects it to the burrowing owls.
0:26:39 > 0:26:42And those owls raise their young in a nest,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46which links them nicely to the nest-making Midas Cichlids.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49And the Midas Cichlids are very protective of their pads,
0:26:49 > 0:26:51a bit like the paper wasps
0:26:51 > 0:26:55which live in a communal home just like our last guests, the termites.
0:26:55 > 0:27:00Which connects us right back to the very start of our fantastic line-up
0:27:00 > 0:27:04because the termites use mud and saliva to build their homes,
0:27:04 > 0:27:06just like the dusky swifts.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13OK, logs - safe, chimney's safe, kettle's safe, sugar - safe,
0:27:13 > 0:27:17- cup - safe...- What are you doing? - Making sure everything's safe.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19A safe home is a happy home and all that.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22I'm going to check that the hammock's safe
0:27:22 > 0:27:26while you make me a nice cup of tea. Thanks, Gem. Two sugars.