Nature's Miniature Miracles

While nature documentaries so often focus on the biggest animals on our planet, 90 per cent of all creatures living on Earth are no bigger than a human fingertip.
(Image credit: BBC/Alamy)

While nature documentaries so often focus on the biggest animals on our planet, 90 per cent of all creatures living on Earth are no bigger than a human fingertip

While nature documentaries so often focus on the biggest animals on our planet, 90 per cent of all creatures living on Earth are no bigger than a human fingertip.

These miniature miracles are not only essential to life on Earth – plankton produce half of the world's oxygen – but have adapted in some extraordinary ways to ensure their survival.

This fascinating documentary features dancing spiders, walking fish and a plant that can return from the dead.

Then there’s the hermit crabs with a very efficient property market, and the Japanese puffer fish that spends a week creating elaborate works of art on the seabed to attract a mate.