From spikes to camoflage to detachable tails
从布满棘刺到采用保护色 再到断尾自救
animals protect themselves in a wide range of ways
动物采用多种方式来保护自己
One type of beetle takes it to the next level:
有一类甲虫使自救方式更上一层楼
it packs a boiling explosive punch
它具有高温 爆炸性的冲击力
There are around 400,000 species of beetle,
全球有约40万种甲虫
and one group, the bombardier beetles,
其中的放屁虫
have devised one of the most interesting defence strategies in the animal kingdom.
已创造出动物王国里最有趣的一种防御机制
They are small beetles that live in the leaf litter and under stones,
这些小甲虫 栖息于落叶层和石缝间
and they may be attacked by animals such as toads and shrews.
它们可能被蟾蜍 鼩鼱等动物袭击
And when they feel under threat
当它们察觉危险时
they combine two chemicals together in a chamber in the back end of their abdomens,
会将两种化学物质在腹部底端的内室混合
which causes an explosion and a cloud of noxious gas,
这会引发爆炸 释放大量毒雾
that might be up to 100 degrees Celsius,
最高可达100℃
explodes out of the back end of the beetle,
炸开甲虫尾部
into the face of the toad or shrew
喷射到蟾蜍或鼩鼱表面
or whatever small animal is threatening it.
或其他威胁它生存的小动物