‘Tiny World’ Recap: ‘Outback’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the fourth episode of ‘Tiny World’.
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Thus far, the AppleTV+ series, Tiny World, has done a phenomenal job of opening our eyes to an aspect of our planet that few of us ever pay any attention to. Because we rarely think about or acknowledge the tiny creatures that popular our world. But thanks to this series, we are truly staring to pay them mind and we're starting to understand more about the unique and dynamic lives they lead. For we've come to learn that there are some tiny animals that enjoy comfort and safety and are surrounded by all kinds of wonderful bounties, thanks to their environment and the larger animals they share space with. While there are others... that deal with some incredible struggles on a daily basis. Because unfortunately for these little critters, there are just parts of the world that are simply brutal to survive in, such as the Australian Outback.

For the heat in this part of the world eventually becomes downright unbearable and dangerous for anyone or anything residing within its borders and the tiny animals that call the ‘Outback’, home, definitely face some incredible challenges on daily basis when it comes to the heat and their surroundings. Such as the sugar glider, since this little cutie has to work hard to find food and shelter in the sweltering sun, all while raising its young and while that seems like a pretty cushy and cute life, it didn't take long for this series to present us with the dangers that these precious little buggers face. For there are lizard predators that climb trees in this part of the world, and that forces the little glider to take its baby and run the instant there is trouble. And if the baby in question isn’t quite ready to leave the nest, that makes travel tough, since mom or dad has to carry their young to safety.

However, while we learned plenty about the sugar glider and the tough challenges and dangers that it faces on a daily basis, there are other animals in the outback that also spend their days fighting hard to survive. Take for example, the frilled lizards that populate this place. For they spend a fair chunk of their time fighting to keep their homes safe from intruders or usurpers. And while they are duking it out with their own kind or whatever unfortunate animal meandered into their territory, there are other creatures working hard to find the precious resources that so many of us take for granted, like water. Which is why the Thorny Devil Lizard is a creature of note. Because this horned lizard has come to realize just how scarce water can be in the brutal summer months, and that's allowed for its kind to evolve to make the most of whatever water it finds, by using its scaly skin to soak it up and even push it toward its mouth.

But while it was fascinating to see what these animals go through in order to survive in the outback, what truly made this episode so harrowing and so powerful, was its ending. For this story took the time to point out that the dry nature of the outback, in summer time, forces the animals that live there to fight for their lives when summer storms begin to form. Because the lightning bolts that these storms produce, manage to ignite the dried-out gum leaves that have fallen to the ground. Which creates powerful fires that leave these poor animals no choice but to flee in a hurry and that made for one tough sequence to watch. One that thankfully ended on a happier note than expected, since most of the ‘characters’ in this tale survived and eventually were able to start their lives over.

Because oddly enough, fires actually help to revitalize the forests in the outback. For the ashes from the burned out trees are rich in nutrients and the rains feed the seeds within those ashes, and it isn’t long before new trees are sprouting, and life and this cycle of danger starts anew and well, this really was quite the incredible episode when all is said and done. Because this one really did a fine job of showing us just how tough life can be for the tiniest of animals. Since all the creatures in this one had to work overtime in order to see another day. But at the same time, it also taught us how resilient and determined they are, and now that we’ve concluded our journey through the outback, it should be interesting to see what other challenges and outright victories, the itty bitty critters of the world will face and enjoy, in the next chapter of this fascinating documentary. Until next time. 

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