♪ Wild Kratts [Martin] From central to South America, in the tropical regions where temperatures are warm, lives a unique insect.

Hey it's us, the Kratt brothers.

- I'm Martin.

- I'm Chris.

And we're here at Ottawa's [Chris] Museum of Nature, [Martin] to check out some amazing beetles.

There are Hercules beetles.

These beetles are huge.

In fact, one of the largest beetles in the world, [Martin] with these hard armor bodies.

Oh, that one's a tough guy.

And check out their most obvious feature, [Chris] those awesome horns.

Now, they look kind of like pinchers or jaws, but they're not.

Their jaws are actually underneath, right down here.

And their horns can get longer than their body.

Look, this guy has horns this long, and his body is only that long.

Look how much longer they are.

This guy is cool, hey and he's brown.

[Martin] Yours is more like, olive green.

[Chris] Yeah, totally different colour.

[Martin] That's because Hercules beetles get different colours depending on the temperature within which they develop.

[Chris] Hercules beetles are part of a whole group of horned beetles, and all of them have serious horns.

[Chris] This is an Atlas beetle.

And you can see that his horns are completely different.

Two on the top and one on the bottom.

And check out that hook, it's like a rhino horn.

[Chris] In fact, this whole group of beetles is sometimes referred to as rhino beetles.

So what do they do with these massive horns?

That's where their creature power really comes in.

Imagine if we had Hercules beetle power... [Both] What if?

(theme song) ♪ On adventure with the coolest creatures ♪ From the oceans to the trees ♪ The brothers Kratt are going places you never get to see ♪ Hanging with their creature friends ♪ Get ready it's the hour ♪ We're gonna save some animals today with ♪ Creature power ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Wild Kratss Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild wild ♪ Cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ Falcon flight and lion pride ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Wild Kratts Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild wild Wild Kratts ♪ Go wild wild Wild Kratts (background music) [Chris] Hercules, The Giant Beetle.

[Chris] Okay Martin, we're in the right place.

The Central American rainforest.

Now, let's see if my plan works.

Hey Chris, who's your favourite character from ancient Greek mythology?

What?

Bro, I could use some help attracting these creatures.

Mine's Poseidon.

[Martin] In the stories, he rules the oceans and all of the sea animals.

Well, you are the swimming brother.

I'd have to go with Hercules.

He's the one with all the strength and power.

Oh yeah, Hercules, whoa.

[Martin] He went on a lot of adventures too.

Exactly, and since we're supposed to be on an adventure, looking for Hercules beetles, he's my favourite.

[Chris] Beetle pheromone on.

Like, a lot of insects, [Chris] beetles communicate by smelly signals called pheromones.

So hopefully, this will attract a Hercules.

And with my Raptor Vision bino's, I'll have the keen eyesight to spot one.

[Chris] Here, beetle, beetle, beetle.

Incoming monster beetle!

Ahhh!

(crash) Wow, this is a monster beetle.

One of the largest types of beetle in the whole world.

Hello, Hercules beetle.

Thanks for coming when I called.

We gotta name you, Hercules!

[Martin] It's such a cool name already!

Hercules!

The Hercules beetle.

[Chris] Because not only are they big, but they're super strong too.

And how about those massive horns?

That's where their power really comes in.

Oh yeah, if only we could see their strength and power in action.

If we stick with him, we just might.

[Aviva] Hold still.

That's right, don't move.

[Aviva] I love this Atlas beetle an d his other fellow beetles.

They all have awesome differently shaped horns on their heads.

[Koki] Yup, Atlas beetle, Hercules beetle, rhino beetle, elephant beetle.

All members of the Scarabaeidae family.

Well, this Atlas beetle, we collected in Asia.

Plus, the one Chris and Martin find, are going to help me figure out how to make super indestructible shells for all my robotics.

The secret is in the exoskeleton.

exoskeleton?

(Jimmy sips) Yeah, it's his hard outer shell.

See, you have a regular skeleton.

Please, can a regular skeleton do moves like this?

Save it for the Halloween party.

Now, insects don't have bony skeletons.

[Aviva] Instead, they just have a super hard, outer shell.

The exoskeleton.

[Jimmy Z] Cool.

Okay, time to get back to work.

Jimmy, do you have those supplies for the prototype we need to build?

I'm on it.

[Koki] The prototype's gonna have to be strong to match the Atlas beetle.

After all, this beetle was named after Atlas, [Koki] the mythological god who carried the world on his back.

I know how that guy must have felt.

I could really use an exoskeleton right now.

Ooof!

(Aviva and Koki laugh) Everything looks different when you get down in this beetle world.

[Chris] Look, Hercules found a friend.

It's a female Hercules beetle.

A girl beetle.

[Martin] Woah, she looks different.

Females don't have those big, massive front horns, like the males do.

Those massive horns are for the sp ecial battles the male beetles have to defend their territory.

[Chris] Uh oh, here comes trouble.

Another male beetle!

Uh oh, we could be in for an epic beetle battle here.

[Chris] Listen, he's rubbing his wing covers against his body.

That sound is a challenge, he wants to battle!

Will Hercules accept the challenge?

Oh yeah, he accepts.

[Martin] This beetle battle is on!

We're witnessing the famous horn battle behaviour of the largest horn beetle in the world.

[Chris] The first move, the horn lock!

That's why the beetles have the massive grabbing, grappling horns.

[Martin] They lock up and push with all their might, trying to overpower each other.

[Chris] Each trying to prove he's the mightier beetle.

Ooo, Hercules is trying to lift his challenger off the ground.

[Martin] But he can't!

That's the object of these beetle battles.

[Chris] Whoever can lift the other guy into the air, wins.

They twist and heave with all their strength.

[Martin] Oh, now the other guy is making his move.

These beetles are super powerful for their size.

They are the strongest insect in the world.

Go Hercules, go!

You can do it!

Oh yeah!

I gotta get a closer look at this.

[Chris] I'm going beetle size, Martin.

Deploy miniaturizer!

[Martin] Uh oh, Chris wait!

[Chris] Huh?

It looks like Hercules is getting tired.

[Martin] The challenger has him in another take down hold.

I mean, take up hold.

[Chris] Hold on, Hercules!

[Martin] Ooo, that's a take up.

Now he holds him there, for a while, just to make his point clear.

The challenger wins.

And Hercules retreats.

[Martin] Knowing that he lost this battle.

[Chris] An impressive win, for the other guy.

And off he goes, with the female.

Ah, don't be too bummed Hercules.

It was a good match.

That guy was huge.

Yeah, you almost had him.

You'll get him next time, buddy.

Yup, it'll be a great re match.

(buzzing sound) [Both] Uh oh.

He pressed the reverse miniaturize button.

Um, he was a big beetle before.

[Martin] Now, he's a monster!

Woah, easy big guy!

[Martin] Oh no!

Uh, I wouldn't come out if I were you.

[Martin] Uh Chris, we got a problem!

[Chris] Yeah, a giant monster beetle is on the loose!

[Jimmy Z] A giant flying beetle?

Are you sure you got that right, Koki?

Yeah, I'm sure, but I'll believe it when I see it.

Yeah, they're probably over reacting.

[Jimmy Z] Or not!

[Koki] Look out!

Was that?

Well, it had two sets of wings, right?

Uh huh.

[Koki] One hard, protective set on top, and another flying set underneath?

[Jimmy Z] Yup!

[K oki] That's what beetles have.

[Koki] And it was gigantic!

So I'd say that's our guy.

[Chris and Martin] Come on, hurry!

Robotic arms are ready.

Let's go!

I'm not liking the sound of this!

[Martin] Hercules beetles aren't the greatest flyers, but even with their size and heft, they can do it.

Okay Jimmy, pull up close, and I'll lasso him.

[Aviva] And launch!

(suspenseful music) [Chris] Woo nice aim Aviva.

You got him!

[Aviva and Jimmy Z] Ahh!

[Koki] He's not happy.

Launching reinforcements.

[Aviva] Okay, we got a strong hold now.

[Koki] Engaging full power reverse engines.

[Chris] Great job gang!

[Martin] It's okay, Hercules.

We're trying to help you.

[Chris] You've got to trust us, buddy.

(Aviva, Jimmy and Koki yelling) (Aviva, Jimmy and Koki yelling) (thud sound) (Aviva, Jimmy and Koki yelling) Well, that didn't work.

(sighs) Maybe you just can't lasso a giant horned beetle.

(snap sound) [Aviva] Oh no, the robotic arms are snapping.

[Martin] They're going down!

Hang on, there's gonna be a little bump!

My inventions!

Atlas!

(crashing sounds) [Koki] You call that a little bump?

[Chris] Guys, you okay?

[Jimmy Z] Yeah, except the Tortuga's out of commission.

And, it'll take me a while to fix these engines.

Well, you better hurry.

[Martin] Because Hercules is busting up the rainforest!

[Aviva] Wow, even after that crash, my beetle armor prototype held up.

Exoskeleton protection!

[Aviva] Well Atlas, it's up to you and me to stop this giant beetle now.

[Aviva] And that means, finishing this creature power suit.

So we need to complete the muscle attachments to make it work.

[Aviva] See, my muscle's attached to the bones to move my skeleton around.

And your muscle's attached to the outer exoskeleton [Aviva] to move your body around.

Similar idea, but different.

And that's why the exoskeleton is broken up into pieces that can move at the joints.

The main one's are the head, the thorax and the abdomen.

Plus, the segmented legs.

All very movable.

Like a suit of armor.

[Aviva] I'll need this and that.

Let's hope we do this right, Atlas.

I have a feeling the future of this adventure rests on our shoulders.

[Chris] Oh, there goes another tree!

[Martin] Hercules!

Easy, buddy.

Slow down!

I know you don't really mean to, but you're destroying the forest!

And not only that, [Chris] he's heading straight towards a nearby city!

[Martin] Oh no, this could get even worse!

Guys, they're ready!

What are ready?

[Aviva] These!

Hercules beetle creature power discs.

All the programming is in here.

Awesome!

Hey, but what are we supposed to do with them?

Do your creature power thing!

Coming at ya, Jimmy!

Ha!

And zap it!

Oh no, you want us to do a beetle battle?

With that guy?!

It's the only way to stop him.

[Chris] What?

We don't have a chance against him.

He's unstoppable!

You need to try.

When have my suits ever let you down?

Ah, she's right.

Let's at least get giant sized, so it's a little more even.

We can't!

The miniaturizer's broken, remember?

Exactly, and I need to fix it so we can get him back to normal size.

You need to buy me some time.

Okay, let me get this straight.

We gotta battle him?

[Martin] Regular sized?

[Aviva] Look on the bright side.

At least you'll be two against one.

Now, get going!

[Both] Insert Hecules beetle power discs.

[Martin and Chris] Touch Hercules beetle.

And, activate Hercules beetle power!

♪ Awesome!

I feel so strong and powerful.

[Chris] And indestructible!

Like I'm wearing a suit of armor.

[Martin] Haha!

Chris!

(Martin grunts) I'm okay.

This exoskeleton really works Aviva.

Phew, just like I promised.

Now, get this thing off me bro.

Cool, Hercules beetle horns have [Martin] special hairs for a good grip.

That's nice!

Now get it off!

Testing beetle strength...

It works!

It works!

Ah, thanks.

Flattened by a boulder, and hardly a scratch.

[Aviva] Guys, look where he's heading.

The city!

I'll warn them, but you've got to stop him.

Don't let him get to the city!

[Both] To the city rescue!

(dramatic music) ♪ [Chris] Stop right there, Hercules.

No giant beetle in the city, okay?

We don't want any trouble, but we do have awesome beetle power!

[Martin] Your choice.

Just sayin... (Martin yells) Ah well, maybe not as awesome as yours.

[Chris] Uh, can't we talk this out?

Oh!

(Chris screams) Whoaa!!!

Oof!

Okay, I think we can scratch this plan.

Yeah, time for plan B.

Tire him out.

Ha ha, got ya.

(Martin screams) [Chris] He doesn't seem that tired!

(Chris yells) Oof!

(crashing thud) Oof!

Oof!

Oh, I think we tired ourselves out.

Yeah, that didn't work either.

[Chris] And look, he's getting closer to the city!

[Martin] And he'll destroy it!

We'll never stop him, unless we can find a way to lift him off the ground.

That's the only way to win.

Beetle style!

But the only way to do that, is if we both get hold of him at the same time.

And we can't get near him.

Unless we trick him.

Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

Oh, I'm thinking what you're thinking.

Plan C, it just might work.

Green beetle to Tortuga, [Chris] come in Tortuga!

Jimmy, here.

Go, green beetle.

Does walking mode still work on the Tortuga?

Um, if I say yes, am I going to regret it?

Yes, walking systems are a go!

Ohh... Great, listen up!

[Chris] We've got a plan!

(car alarm) Where'd he go?

[Jimmy Z] I don't know, I don't see him anywhere.

[Koki] There he is!

[Koki] Hey, Hercules!

Stop right there!

[Martin] I think he's falling for our Tortuga decoy!

Come on, let's get into position.

Okay, here we go.

I hope everybody else is ready.

Gotta get this miniaturizer repaired fast.

I gotta say Atlas, you insects fascinate me, There's so much amazing creature power packed into [Aviva] your small, little bodies.

Sure is strange to imagine what the world would be like, if insects were bigger.

But you're not, so we have to set things right in the creature world.

And fa... (grunts) We've got the best seat in the house.

Oh, I mean city.

[Chris] Oh yeah, and for this plan to work, our timing needs to be spot on.

[Koki] Jimmy, engage robotic arms.

[Jimmy Z] Engaged!

This is weird, a giant beetle and a turtle ship in a wrestling match?

Hang onto him, Jimmy!

Don't disengage.

[Jimmy Z] I'm not, but he's too strong.

Even for the Tortuga.

And we don't have those little, gr abby pokes on our legs to hold onto anything.

[Koki and Jimmy Z] Uh oh!

Whoa!!!

[Koki] Well, that confirms it.

If a Hercules beetle was the size of a two storey house, it could lift a jet airplane.

[Chris] Now!

While he thinks he won, we can get in there.

Got him!

Me too!

[Martin and Chris] Lift!

I don't know if we're strong enough.

[Chris] By my calculations, a Hercules beetle the size and weight of a human should be able to lift about 100 times their weight.

That's like lifting a big truck!

Exactly.

So two human size beetles should be able to lift it.

[Martin] We're budging him.

Keep going!

Lift!!

[Martin] We did it!

That is a take up, bro.

[Chris] Miniaturizer, we need... the miniaturizer.

Almost ready.

Keep holding him!

[Chris] Hurry, we can't hold him much longer.

[Martin] Gotta keep his feet off the ground.

(power drill sound) [Aviva] Come on Atlas!

Let's go!

[Aviva] If I'm not too late.

Can't...hold it...anymore.

[Aviva] I'm coming!

[Aviva] I'm here, guys!

Huh?

(Aviva gasps) [Aviva] Uh oh!

( crashing sound ) [Chris and Martin] Aviva!

Are you ok?

I'm fine, but he looks really mad.

Hercules, hey wait, we're just trying to help.

(Martin yells) [Chris] Easy, buddy!

Oh no, you don't!

[Aviva] Miniaturize!

I like you much better that size.

[Aviva] There you go, Hercules.

Back to where you're supposed to be.

And the size you're supposed to be.

(laughter) Well, that's mission accomplished!

We've restored the natural order and saved the city.

Ha, and we learned a lot about the cool Hercules and Atlas beetle battles.

And about exoskeletons, too!

Thanks for helping me figure that out, Atlas!

Now it's time to get you home, too.

Back to the Asian forest.

But first, there's only one thing left to do.

You thinking what I'm thinking?

I think we're thinking the same thing.

(thud sound) [Both] A Kratt brother beetle battle!

I learned a few moves from Hercules, you know.

Me too!

[Martin] He's the real beetle battle champion.

(laughter) So Hercules beetles are one super strong power lifting beetle.

[Chris] Generally, the beetles at the museum keep to themselves.

They rest, they eat rotten fruit.

Oh, this guy loves the mango.

These big beetles, they have some really cute babies.

Do you want to see an elephant beetle baby?

Check it out!

[Martin] So cute, right?

Just kidding.

[Martin] They are really weird looking larvae.

Look at the face.

It's hard to believe that it will turn into [Martin] an elephant beetle.

This beetle's life cycle starts as an egg, and then a small larvae hatches.

The larvae keeps growing underground [Martin] until it gets this big, or bigger.

And then, it goes into a pupa-stage.

From which it emerges [Martin] as an adult elephant beetle.

Whoa, we've got a beetle battle [Chris] starting here.

A beetle battle right here.

Incredible.

[Martin] We have two Hercules beetles sizing each other up, here.

[Martin] One brown, one green.

[Chris] That green guy is really aggressive.

Look at them, they're jockeying for position, trying to get a hold on each other, [Martin] but which will get a good grip first?

Incredible.

They are each trying to, oh wow!

Whoa that was a quick flip.

[Martin] Rewind, gotta see that again.

The brown one didn't have a good grip on the ground, and got flipped over.

- Now he's moving him away.

- Oh, he's lifting him up.

Oh, that's total victory right there.

[Martin] That is victory.

[Chris] That is the goal right there, lifting the other beetle up in the air.

If you do that, you win, [Chris] if you're a Hercules beetle.

Remember, these guys are super strong for their size.

They can lift at least 50 times their body weight.

If I could lift 50 times my weight, I could lift, a truck.

That would be amazing.

No doubt about it, Hercules beetles are a powerhouse of the creature world.

One of the largest beetles in the world and one of the coolest.

Keep on creature adventuring.

We'll see ya on the creature trail.

(theme song) ♪ [Chris] To find out more about cool animals [Martin] and collect your own Wild Kratt's creature powers, [Chris] go to the Wild Kratt's website [Martin] at pbskids.org [Both] We'll see you there!