How Can These Flies Live in Oily Black Tar Pits? | Deep Look

Поділитися
Вставка
  • Опубліковано 15 лис 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 386

  • @yumibro8121
    @yumibro8121 3 місяці тому +577

    I grew up going to the La Brea tar pits. Went to the museum, saw the fossils, did the little demonstration where you try to lift a weight out of various tar containers with a handle. I was always told nothing could survive in it. Now, like 15 years later, you're telling me there are bugs that have WHOLE LIFECYCLES in the pits?? Science is amazing. Life really does find a way.

    • @SoHighITouchTheSky22
      @SoHighITouchTheSky22 3 місяці тому +23

      GOD is amazing. He created a creature that lives it's entire life in tar where nothing else can.

    • @Brick001
      @Brick001 3 місяці тому +76

      @@SoHighITouchTheSky22if by god you mean evolution than yes ☝️

    • @Space_Parrot
      @Space_Parrot 3 місяці тому

      ​​@@Brick001 evolution is a process. It has no will, no goals, no desires, and no plan. It designs nothing, it just describes how the world reacts with itself in accordance with the universal laws. Evolution is not a God kiIIer, it is evidence to the contrary. “The first gulp from the glass of natural sciences will turn you into an atheist, but at the bottom of the glass God is waiting for you” - Werner Heisenberg

    • @TheExigency
      @TheExigency 3 місяці тому +29

      ​@@SoHighITouchTheSky22Nah.

    • @moerocco775
      @moerocco775 3 місяці тому

      @brick
      Evolution did not create life. Evolution has no will to create anything.

  • @NewMessage
    @NewMessage 3 місяці тому +1129

    Look.. finding an affordable place in LA means making a few concessions, y'know?

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +191

      I used to live a few blocks from @LaBreaTarPitsAndMuseum , and let me tell you, on a hot summer morning you could smell the tar in the air! Not a bad fragrance, actually. (Craig)

    • @NewMessage
      @NewMessage 3 місяці тому +30

      @@KQEDDeepLook Well, you were better off than the poor saps in this video!

    • @BarcelonaMove
      @BarcelonaMove 3 місяці тому +9

      Hilarious conversation here lol

    • @Al-Storm
      @Al-Storm 3 місяці тому +5

      Cleaner too.

    • @Vernon-gn9wb
      @Vernon-gn9wb 2 місяці тому +2

      Looks like my comment about butt breathing tubes didn't Garner laugh when they were testing this

  • @scottb7886
    @scottb7886 3 місяці тому +235

    This has to be one of my favorite episodes. The stunning visual contrast between the translucent larvae and the jet black asphalt combined with the peculiar biology is just awesome. Hats off to the film crew here, and to whoever decided to dedicate an episode to these incredible creatures.

    • @alveolate
      @alveolate 3 місяці тому +8

      and the mercurial soundtrack as usual! the editing is so insanely top notch for these 5-min videos.

  • @jimmytaco6738
    @jimmytaco6738 3 місяці тому +650

    So basically if the tar is almost a road then the maggots are really just eating roadkill like normal ones

    • @ufc990
      @ufc990 2 місяці тому +8

      Yes. You can break it down further and take out the road altogether, theyre just eating dead stuff like normal maggots. Since we're pointing out really obvious things.

    • @nescaufe1991
      @nescaufe1991 2 місяці тому +2

      For thousands of years

    • @fenorlex1126
      @fenorlex1126 27 днів тому

      They've been eating roadkill before roadkill was a thing.

  • @alden1132
    @alden1132 3 місяці тому +97

    It's kind of easy to see how such adaptations could arise. Any time an animal dies in the pit, maggots would inevitably consume the carcass. The carcass would sink, and most of the millions of maggots would die under the tar. Eventually, a few would manage to survive, and whatever mutated genes made that possible would be passed on. It's a strong selective pressure to survive certain conditions, and with the sheer number of "chances" each brood has to gamble on having even one surviving to escape a sinking carcass, odds are in favor of a new trait arsing in the population.

    • @hfyaer
      @hfyaer 2 місяці тому

      Come one buddy. Don't believe everything you're told. Evolution theory is candy for the secular mind. It doesn't work in real life.

  • @nondisclosureable
    @nondisclosureable 3 місяці тому +39

    This answers the question I've had since childhood about why we get fossil bones from the pits instead of anaerobic mummies.

  • @ryandillabough863
    @ryandillabough863 3 місяці тому +1322

    The forbidden Coke Gummy Worm!

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +227

      Aha! I knew it looked a bit delicious for some reason.

    • @MitchTaylor-x8c
      @MitchTaylor-x8c 3 місяці тому +5

      Act mature and stop picking the low hanging fruit because that was as predictable as heck
      I’m just stating not angry or anything

    • @snakesan7724
      @snakesan7724 3 місяці тому

      ​@@MitchTaylor-x8c you must be so cool at parties

    • @daemoh3696
      @daemoh3696 3 місяці тому +3

      @@MitchTaylor-x8c god you're miserable

    • @lithium2000
      @lithium2000 3 місяці тому +82

      ​@user-vx6gs1ci1h did you roll out of the wrong side of the bed??? lighten up!

  • @mypal1990
    @mypal1990 3 місяці тому +357

    That fly can get out of a sticky situation.

  • @ameliawright6947
    @ameliawright6947 3 місяці тому +163

    I've always found the Petroleum Fly fascinating- so glad to see a video on this weirdo.

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +25

      Glad you enjoyed it!

    • @alveolate
      @alveolate 3 місяці тому +3

      well, get into entomology and be the scientist to tell us why those flies can walk on oil!

  • @MommaOhana
    @MommaOhana 3 місяці тому +53

    This just proves for every pot there is a lid somewhere. Who would’ve thought something, anything, could live inside the pits?!

  • @Langolyer2010
    @Langolyer2010 3 місяці тому +107

    "They can even be eaten by its own larvae"
    Sounds like a recurring trope.

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +31

      Insects, what can we say.

    • @TragoudistrosMPH
      @TragoudistrosMPH 3 місяці тому +5

      ​@@KQEDDeepLook human children do that more slowly and adorably 😅

    • @sekischro5093
      @sekischro5093 Місяць тому +1

      😂😂​@@TragoudistrosMPH

  • @GandalfTheTsaagan
    @GandalfTheTsaagan 3 місяці тому +42

    I love life's ability to rurn anything into an ecosystem

  • @DreamDaddie
    @DreamDaddie 3 місяці тому +55

    Woo! Something to watch before work. Thank you, Deep Look!

  • @liveinamber1307
    @liveinamber1307 3 місяці тому +13

    Fascinating! Never would I have though there would be an animal specifically adapted to life in asphalt pits! What a delight to learn about such a well designed creature!

  • @a.m.v.6938
    @a.m.v.6938 3 місяці тому +35

    I’m 64 and I’ve been to LA many times, last year I finally stopped at this place and I loved it. Fascinating place.

    • @eyescreamcake
      @eyescreamcake 3 місяці тому +2

      Have you been to The Museum of Jurassic Technology?

    • @a.m.v.6938
      @a.m.v.6938 3 місяці тому

      @@eyescreamcake no I haven’t, is that also in LA?

    • @eyescreamcake
      @eyescreamcake 3 місяці тому

      @@a.m.v.6938 Yes! Visit it. Don't read about it first. 😉

  • @mrfish.-
    @mrfish.- 3 місяці тому +50

    When I first saw these guys, I just assumed they somehow fed on the ancient bones in the tar! Another amazing vid as always DeepLook team!

  • @RumBrave
    @RumBrave 3 місяці тому +8

    So this is why there are always so many flies at the tar pits! Next time, I'll have to look for the larvae gliding across the top. Amazing how easily they get around and talk about a specialized organism!
    Visiting the tar pits is always super interesting. The main pits are fenced off for obvious reasons but you can find small trickles of tar that seep up from the ground around the area and play with it if you're so inclined. The museum itself has an interactive exhibit where you can feel how much force it takes to pull out of the tar and how exhausting it would be. Also, if you've only ever heard of dire wolves from game of thrones, you might be surprised to find out that they were a bit smaller than today's wolves, but they did have a stronger jaw. The museum has an entire wall of their skulls.

  • @alexforce9
    @alexforce9 3 місяці тому +109

    Insect in a tar pit: " - Well, just great, this day can't get any worse" ( Wild fly larvae appears behind them)
    insect: "- Why Im hearing boss music?"

  • @macronautics
    @macronautics 3 місяці тому +51

    Hide your roads, the asphalt flies are coming

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +7

      hehhehe

    • @alveolate
      @alveolate 3 місяці тому +1

      chill, they ain't literally eating the asphalt... if they do it's accidental and they'll poop it back out xD

  • @jimb.7523
    @jimb.7523 3 місяці тому +19

    *"This maggot is it's baby!"*
    *ME:* Awwwwwweeeeeeewwwwww!

  • @thelogician.1981
    @thelogician.1981 3 місяці тому +44

    That's some sticky situation..

  • @graphite2786
    @graphite2786 3 місяці тому +11

    Life is amazing! It always seems to find a way into every niche of this wonderful planet we live on💕🌍🌎🌏🧬💕

  • @jacksim5759
    @jacksim5759 3 місяці тому +9

    absolutely perfect alien worm design right here on earth

  • @MichaelRojhay
    @MichaelRojhay 3 місяці тому +5

    This was the coolest video I have seen on this channel. Very informative of something I never knew.

  • @FriendlyKat
    @FriendlyKat 3 місяці тому +4

    That's so cool! I had no idea life could survive in tar. It really is true... Life finds a way!

  • @kimbratton9620
    @kimbratton9620 3 місяці тому +7

    There's so many fascinating critters in the world!!

  • @alden1132
    @alden1132 3 місяці тому +8

    4:11 Aw, I think I'll name them Al And Peg...

  • @sirembrum49thegreatmoth2
    @sirembrum49thegreatmoth2 3 місяці тому +20

    Next thing you know flies can walk on lava

    • @molybdaen11
      @molybdaen11 3 місяці тому +2

      They surely are light enough.
      Just have to find a solution for the heat.

    • @TragoudistrosMPH
      @TragoudistrosMPH 3 місяці тому +4

      There is a cricket drawn to freshly cooling lava! In Hawaii!

    • @anonomooose
      @anonomooose 3 місяці тому

      @@TragoudistrosMPHwhat is it called?

    • @TragoudistrosMPH
      @TragoudistrosMPH 3 місяці тому +2

      @@anonomooose Kīlauea lava cricket !
      The Wikipedia page mentioned they especially like cheese 😅
      Funny species

  • @ramseydoon8277
    @ramseydoon8277 2 місяці тому +5

    1:14 saying that it's not tar and that it's actually natural asphalt doesn't mean anything if you don't say what 'natural asphalt' is or anything about why it isn't actually tar. Just leaves more questions.

    • @PrairieKass
      @PrairieKass Місяць тому +3

      sounds like someone doesn't know how to Google natural asphalt

  • @justinjyeung
    @justinjyeung 3 місяці тому +2

    Amazing how nature can evolve to adapt to such a particular environment and thrive. It reminds me, I think another one of your videos, there's like a lake so salty that nothing lives in it except a certain species of fly? I hope I'm not just making this up XD

  • @macronecteshalli9427
    @macronecteshalli9427 3 місяці тому

    Both the babies and the adults are cute in different ways. Love these little guys, never knew they existed.

  • @gerharddamm5933
    @gerharddamm5933 3 місяці тому +1

    Crazy how a creature was able to evolve for such a small niche!

  • @chuvadequintal137
    @chuvadequintal137 3 місяці тому +1

    Every day I learn about a new animal. Thank you for the content !

  • @cosmichale
    @cosmichale 3 місяці тому +3

    i've never seen something this close!

  • @randomgirly-girlsav1506
    @randomgirly-girlsav1506 3 місяці тому +1

    My new favorite creature, thank you deep look ❤

  • @ejmtv3
    @ejmtv3 3 місяці тому

    Nature never sees to amaze me and animals always finds a way through evolution. ❤

  • @shaddonon
    @shaddonon 3 місяці тому +5

    You've fired up my imagination, here's a D&D '5 room dungeon' idea:
    1. Shore (start) = hut w dock + odd ferryman
    2. Ferry = punt style, requires teamwork + 1 skilled navigator
    3. Open 'water' = unsinkable giant maggots, cling-able skeleton / corpse rafts
    4. Island shore = giant flies, pupae, and scattered paleolithic treasure
    5. Island cave = set foot inside, and giant dire wolf (etc) skellies animate and come ashore! contains haunted sentient cave paintings, guarding plot MacGuffin. maybe a gooey pollution spirit with a bicycle stuck in its side?

  • @walkerdawson5206
    @walkerdawson5206 3 місяці тому

    Ok, this might be the best Deep Look video yet! I loved this one! They keep getting better and better ❤

  • @melodyparra2960
    @melodyparra2960 3 місяці тому +1

    Oh, The La Brea tar pit I remember watching that on dirty jobs It’s very, very, very gloopy It was like frozen molasses and maple syrup and honey. Mix together and turn jet black. That’s kind of what it’s like except with lots of lots of bones

  • @joshua19145
    @joshua19145 Місяць тому

    The maggots squirming their way through the dark, shimmering asphalt is so strangely beautiful.✨🕳✨

  • @da2935
    @da2935 3 місяці тому +10

    Imagine having stomach that can eat asphalt

  • @bigsarge2085
    @bigsarge2085 3 місяці тому +4

    Always the coolest creatures!

  • @4ever2tired
    @4ever2tired 3 місяці тому +2

    This is actually so cute

  • @litrim1285
    @litrim1285 3 місяці тому +9

    Even flies know the beauty of black with amber and gold. 😎

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +5

      Indeed, a very handsome fly.

  • @aaronskoy957
    @aaronskoy957 2 місяці тому

    Wow! Truely remarkable footage. Looking through the larva's transparent skin, at its mouthparts working, is the most alien thing I have ever seen. 2:50

  • @CoralineJonesPinkPalace
    @CoralineJonesPinkPalace 3 місяці тому

    Coolest video series ever. I love it! Gross, beautiful, fascinating, and secretive. Thank you for educating us!

  • @dahu4046
    @dahu4046 3 місяці тому +2

    lovely creatures

  • @Formula_Zero_EX
    @Formula_Zero_EX 3 місяці тому +3

    Flies can live off of anything, I swear to God.

  • @babbybailey
    @babbybailey 2 місяці тому

    This was a learning experience. Thank you for your post. 👍🇨🇦

  • @jonnibelugabat2600
    @jonnibelugabat2600 3 місяці тому +3

    This is why I subscribed to DeepLook. I had no idea these things existed.

    • @KQEDDeepLook
      @KQEDDeepLook  3 місяці тому +3

      Thanks, we love making these videos for you.

  • @atmentod
    @atmentod Місяць тому +1

    This channel is amazing 😊

  • @CharliMorganMusic
    @CharliMorganMusic 2 місяці тому

    I didn't know these were a thing. So cool!

  • @fireandcopper
    @fireandcopper 3 місяці тому +5

    Life, uh, finds a way

  • @관절비틀기
    @관절비틀기 3 місяці тому +2

    구더기 타르구덩이에서 살다니 생명력이 경이롭네

  • @MarkKravchuk
    @MarkKravchuk 3 місяці тому

    The soundtracks are so good!

  • @davepaez2019
    @davepaez2019 2 місяці тому +1

    Please make a video on chinchillas I love chinchillas so much and I want to see you guys give them the love they deserve

  • @sm79165
    @sm79165 3 місяці тому

    moisturised, unbothered, in it's own asphalt puddle lane 💅

  • @callystarizka-tata7892
    @callystarizka-tata7892 3 місяці тому

    Hey guys, this is Callysta. I'm back because i was being inactive everyday. So yeah, in the credits, there is acoela. You can watch the episode if you missed it
    I hope you like it. Thanks!

  • @Mincraftpots
    @Mincraftpots 2 місяці тому

    Love you videos of nature I used to watch this when I was young :)
    Your doing amazing 👍

  • @aaronj2913
    @aaronj2913 3 місяці тому

    I actually did a podcast episode on these a while ago. Would have been nice to have this video as a reference!

  • @surajman6045
    @surajman6045 3 місяці тому

    Khudos to the team...thank you so much...lovs from Manipur, India

  • @leoponce82ponce
    @leoponce82ponce 3 місяці тому +3

    do they put the eggs on the tar or the water?

  • @velhesvalden1309
    @velhesvalden1309 3 місяці тому +2

    Another great video. Thank you.

  • @asianseaanimals
    @asianseaanimals 3 місяці тому

    Fantastic look

  • @randigo9992
    @randigo9992 2 місяці тому

    There are also those Antarctica bugs that are the biggest fully terrestrial animals on the continent, idk if you made video on those but those are really interesting on how those insects could even live in Antarctica

  • @Guydude777
    @Guydude777 3 місяці тому

    You learn something new every day

  • @arkapadma
    @arkapadma 3 місяці тому

    great video like always. Could you do freshwater sponge lifecycle in microscopic view? Very little information of them.

  • @Chiavaccio
    @Chiavaccio Місяць тому

    Spectacular evolution!😮

  • @drips1030
    @drips1030 Місяць тому +1

    Incredible.

  • @sofyawu3783
    @sofyawu3783 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for the tee shirt and letter!
    -Sofya

  • @rtheremore4710
    @rtheremore4710 3 місяці тому

    My favorite voice on UA-cam

  • @kade_the_cin
    @kade_the_cin 3 місяці тому

    I always enjoy the music used in these videos

  • @sollnoll9271
    @sollnoll9271 3 місяці тому

    Nature is amazing.

  • @Patrick-mg7kc
    @Patrick-mg7kc 2 місяці тому

    The phone call was so funny😊😂😂😂😂 when he yelled yes sergeant😂😂😂😂

  • @mybackhurts7020
    @mybackhurts7020 3 місяці тому +1

    When I visited last year I was very disappointed there were no actual TAR PITS! Just that dirty pond. Do the flys even have a natural habitat any more?

    • @alexanderstone9463
      @alexanderstone9463 2 місяці тому +1

      You’ve inadvertently figured out why so many animals got stuck there. It just looks like a dirty pond. An animal wading in would suspect nothing.

  • @mprime1716
    @mprime1716 3 місяці тому

    Next time I go to LACMA and the Tar Pits, I'm gonna look out for these friendly flies :D

  • @Leech3siim
    @Leech3siim 3 місяці тому

    You're my fav channel fr

  • @hugocastaenda4387
    @hugocastaenda4387 3 місяці тому

    I love insects, thank you for this video

  • @BlackReaper0
    @BlackReaper0 3 місяці тому +1

    Can you imagine knowing that if any part of your body, other than your feet, touches the ground little babies might eat you.

  • @FuzzyBunnyofInle
    @FuzzyBunnyofInle 3 місяці тому

    I have always wondered why the skeletons were so clean & not asphalt mummies. Now I know why!

  • @MrPaoTrieu
    @MrPaoTrieu 3 місяці тому

    Thank you for sharing very well

  • @blessedbeauty2293
    @blessedbeauty2293 2 місяці тому +1

    - That is *so gross,* yet so interesting at the SAME time ! How !?! 🤔

  • @segamai
    @segamai 3 місяці тому

    Absolutely fascinating

  • @Rexorazor
    @Rexorazor 3 місяці тому

    Ooooh i just got an idea of implementing these creatures in my game as enemies..... Supersized.

  • @dan6151
    @dan6151 3 місяці тому

    Dipterans are amazing. So many niches occupied by flies of all sorts.

  • @linisy
    @linisy 3 місяці тому

    Amazing video!

  • @themufasausa
    @themufasausa 3 місяці тому

    Footage So coollll!

  • @minhducnguyen9276
    @minhducnguyen9276 3 місяці тому

    Petroleum flies. Sounds like a low level monsters in RPG game where they'll explode if you burn them.

  • @frozi1541
    @frozi1541 3 місяці тому +1

    this tar reminds me of the tar found on Petrichor V...

  • @Ma_p_le
    @Ma_p_le 3 місяці тому

    Love your videos! ❤

  • @lapoteraros
    @lapoteraros 3 місяці тому +1

    Simply amazing 😮

  • @eugenej.5584
    @eugenej.5584 3 місяці тому +3

    As a software engineer I can relate.

  • @thisischris5351
    @thisischris5351 Місяць тому

    That’s so sad that all these cute little critters (like wolves, raccoons, saber tooth tigers, etc) get stuck in THAT 🥺😢😭 poor babies…

  • @cherubug
    @cherubug 3 місяці тому +1

    my understanding was that asphalt is the binding agent plus the agregate, and bitumen is the binding agent, which would be the term for the petroleum seen here. like concrete vs cement. is the terminology different for biology/paleontology?

    • @amaureaLua
      @amaureaLua 3 місяці тому +3

      Language is messy. Bitumen is also called asphalt. The stuff we use on roads is "asphalt concrete", but it's usually shortened to just "asphalt". So you end up with "asphalt" consisting of gravel plus asphalt. This isn't specific to biology or anything, it's the normal dictionary definition.

  • @aldric3178
    @aldric3178 3 місяці тому

    Petroleum flies can get stuck on oil when the larvae don't.
    I hate it when evolved Pokemon have fewer move options than the previous stage.

  • @KingArthur101
    @KingArthur101 3 місяці тому

    another type of fly to add to my swatting list

  • @Shawnsatisfiedwife
    @Shawnsatisfiedwife 3 місяці тому

    Wow, much respect

  • @luisorozcocardenas1383
    @luisorozcocardenas1383 3 місяці тому

    Ok. Im finally motivated to take nephews to the tar pits! 😅😆

  • @TeddyMoon-qb2wz
    @TeddyMoon-qb2wz 3 місяці тому

    Im learning something new everyday

  • @k9alphawolf345
    @k9alphawolf345 2 місяці тому +1

    I kinda want to know what organisms or plants or animals that live in the water in the geysers at Yellowstone National Park