After living five years underground as a juvenile, this adult male stag beetle only has a few weeks to find a mate. Not only does he have to find a female, but he also must fend off other males in his pursuit.
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TRANSCRIPT
With jaws almost as long as his body, this stag beetle is in a hurry.
He has spent five years underground as a juvenile, and now as an adult, will only live for a few weeks.
He must find a female - and fast.
This male has got lucky.
A female in a cozy crevice.
But there are plenty of other males about.
This is not going to be easy.
Those great jaws swing into action.
His rival may be down, but he's certainly not out.
And another interloper joins the fray.
It's a full on beatle battle.
Rivals dealt with, he heads back to mate with the waiting female.
She may live for a few months more, but his days are numbered.
His massive jaws mean he can't feed properly.
And though he may have the energy to mate a few more times, he will not live to see this summer out.
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