.svg){kind=logo}
 (3).jpg)
Transcript: Underground Invader
[Joyful music plays]
A child says, WHEE!
[Child giggling]
t.v.o. kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment Original
[Soft, gentle music plays]
An aerial view shows a lush forest. Text reads, T.V.O. Presents.
Host Taviss narrates, THIS FOREST IS QUIETLY BEING INVADED.
Sunlight flickers through the trees.
Taviss continues, THE INTRUDER
IS AN EXPERT AT HIDING
RIGHT BELOW OUR VERY FEET.
Taviss walks down a muddy trail scattered with leaves. Taviss wears her curly brown hair in two braids, a light pink, purple and white hoodie, jeans, and hiking boots.
Taviss narrates, IT'S TEARING APART THE FOREST
AND YET IT LIVES
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD!
WANNA KNOW WHAT IT IS?
Taviss kneels on her knees and elbows. She wears a green T-shirt.
Out loud, Taviss says, FOLLOW ME!
Taviss stands and runs through the forest.
[Magical music plays]
The title appears within an image of a girl looking up at trees through a magnifying glass. The title reads, Secrets of the Forest.
[Whooshing]
An aerial view shows a lush forest full of fall leaves.
Taviss narrates, TODAY'S SECRET BRINGS US
TO THE LAND OF THE WENDAT,
HAUDENOSAUNEE
AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES.
THIS AREA IS NOW KNOWN AS
NTHE KOFFLER SCIENTIFIC RESERVE.
NOT SO DEEP IN THE FOREST,
THERE'S AN INTRUDER.
SCRATCH THAT.
HUNDREDS OF INTRUDERS.
BUT A WALK IN THE WOODS
WON'T REVEAL THE TRESPASSER.
LUCKY FOR ME, I HAVE HELP.
MEET MICHAEL MCTAVISH.
Michael McTavish has short brown hair and glasses. He wears a plaid, blue button-down shirt and a watch. Michael carries a backpack and holds up a worm.
Taviss narrates, MICHAEL IS A RESEARCH SCIENTIST
WITH THE SMITH FOREST HEALTH LB
AT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.
HE SPECIALIZES
IN STUDYING THIS INVADER.
Taviss walks down a trail in the forest covered in leaves and sticks.
Taviss narrates, I BET YOU'RE OVER THERE LIKE,
HELLO, EARTH TO TAVISS,
YOU HAVEN'T TOLD US
WHO THIS INVADER IS.
Taviss gazes up at the trees around her.
Taviss narrates, WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE
I DON'T KNOW!
IT'S A SECRET.
BUT WE'RE ALL
ABOUT TO FIND OUT.
Taviss stands in a field outside the forest with Michael.
Taviss narrates, MICHAEL, WHO IS THIS
UNDERGROUND INVADER?
I'M DYING TO KNOW.
Michael says, SO, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT,
IT'S ACTUALLY WORMS.
Taviss says, LIKE THE ONES IN OUR GARDEN?
Michael says, THOSE EXACT ONES.
In an animation, a worm pops out of the ground.
The worm says, HI THERE!
The worm winks.
In the field, Michael says, MOST OF OUR EARTHWORMS
HERE IN NORTH AMERICA
ACTUALLY WENT EXTINCT
A LONG TIME AGO.
SO, MOST OF THE WORMS
THAT WE DO SEE
ARE NON-NATIVE AND INVASIVE.
Taviss says, BUT HOW'D THEY GET HERE?
Michael says, SO MOST OF THEM ARE COMING OVER
FROM EUROPE AND THEY'VE BEEN
COMING WITH SETTLERS
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
THEY COME OVER IN SOIL
AND IN PLANTS
SOMETIMES WITHOUT US
EVEN KNOWING IT.
In an animation, a ship cruises onto a beach and worms scurry out.
[Honking]
Worms cheer, WE MADE IT!
WHOO-HOO!
WE MADE IT.
WE'RE HOME, WE'RE HOME!
In the field, Michael says, AND THIS PROCESS
IS STILL ONGOING TO THIS DAY.
THERE ARE STILL INVASIVE
EARTHWORMS COMING FROM OVERSEAS.
Taviss says, THAT'S A BAD THING?
I THOUGHT
WORMS WERE GOOD FOR OUR GARDEN.
Michael says, WE HAVE A SAYING IN THE
EARTHWORM COMMUNITY WHICH IS,
GOOD IN THE GARDEN,
BUT BAD IN THE FOREST.
[Gentle music plays]
In a forest, Taviss and Michael walk down a trail.
Michael says, YOU SEE ALL
THIS LITTER AROUND?
Taviss says, UH, I DON'T SEE ANY LITTER.
She looks around the trail scattered with sticks, leaves and pieces of bark.
Michael says, IT'S NOT GARBAGE LITTER,
THIS IS FOREST LITTER.
THIS IS MATERIAL THAT FALLS DOWN
FROM THE TREES AND THE PLANTS
AND IT ACCUMULATES ON THE
SOIL SURFACE AND BREAKS DOWN.
Taviss says, YEAH, IN THAT CASE,
I DO SEE IT.
Michael explains, FOREST LITTER IS QUITE KEY
TO THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM.
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
DON'T KNOW, THOUGH,
IS THAT WORMS COMPLETELY CHANGE
THE FOREST LITTER LAYER.
THEY ACTUALLY BREAK IT DOWN
AND THAT'S A PROBLEM
BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING IT
MUCH TOO QUICKLY.
SO, WITHOUT LITTER,
THE SOILS END UP REALLY EXPOSED.
THEY DRY OUT QUICKLY
AND PLANTS THAT GROW THERE
ARE REALLY VULNERABLE
TO HERBIVORES
THAT MAY COME ALONG
AND TRY AND EAT THEM.
Three deer in a forest eat from forest litter.
Michael continues, AND THE PROBLEM IS
THAT EVEN JUST ONE WORM
CAN BREAK THAT DOWN
REALLY QUICKLY.
SO, THEY'RE SMALL,
BUT THEY'RE MIGHTY.
In an animation, a worm with arms lifts weights.
[Worm grunting]
Muscles appear on the worm’s arms, and the worm smiles.
In the forest, Taviss asks, HOW MUCH DAMAGE
CAN THEY REALLY DO?
Michael says, I'LL SHOW YOU.
Taviss narrates, WATCH OUT WORMS!
WE'RE COMING FOR YA!
Taviss and Michael continue down the trail.
Michael says, SO, IN THE FOREST,
WE EXPECT TO SEE BRANCHES
AND LEAVES DOWN ON THE GROUND…
Taviss says, THEIR LITTER?
Michael says, EXACTLY.
BUT WHEN WE'RE IN
AN AREA WITH WORMS,
WHAT WE SEE INSTEAD
IS A LOT OF BARE GROUND
AND THEN LITTLE PILES
OF MATERIAL, THIS LITTER,
THAT'S BEEN PULLED TOGETHER.
Taviss says, LIKE THAT ONE?
Taviss points ahead of her. She and Michael crouch near a small nest-like pile of dry branches, leaves and bark mixed with dirt.
Michael says, YEAH, GOOD EYE, TAVISS.
SO, THAT'S A MIDDEN THERE
AND THAT'S A GOOD INDICATION
THAT RIGHT UNDER THERE
WE HAVE A NIGHTCRAWLER.
Taviss asks, IS THAT A TYPE OF WORM?
Michael nods and says, IT IS.
THAT'S A COMMON NAME
FOR AN EARTHWORM THAT WE HAVE
ALL OVER THE PLACE HERE.
THEY FORM THESE MIDDENS
AND EACH ONE WILL HAVE
THEIR OWN BURROW UNDERNEATH.
SO AT NIGHT THEY GO AROUND
ON THE SOIL SURFACE
AND GATHER UP ALL THIS LITTER
AND PULL IT BACK TO THE MIDDEN.
Taviss says, THE HOLE'S UNDERNEATH
ALL THIS STUFF?
Taviss pinches the midden, the nest-like pile of dirt mixed with forest litter.
Michael says, EXACTLY.
Taviss says, FEELS KIND OF GRAINY.
Michael says, IT IS KIND OF STRANGE, ISN'T IT?
Taviss says, YES.
Taviss holds pieces of the midden between her hands.
Michael says, SO, IT'S A MIX OF PLANT MATTER
THAT'S BREAKING DOWN
AND WORM POOP.
[Record scratching]
Taviss’ eyes widen.
Taviss narrates, I'M HOLDING POOP.
IN MY HAND.
Out loud, Michael continues, AND THEY'LL MIX THAT POOP
WITH THE LITTER
AND THAT'S
WHAT MAKES THE MIDDEN.
Taviss says, SO, THE MIDDENS
WILL LEAD US TO THE WORMS.
Michael says, PRECISELY.
SO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
IS PUT A FLAG
ON EACH OF THESE MIDDENS.
Michael gives Taviss a pink stake flag.
Taviss says, LET'S DO IT!
She grins, and Michael nods.
[Exciting music plays]
In a timelapse, Taviss and Michael mark different middens on the trail with stake flags. Later on the trail, Taviss stands beside Michael.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT OF WORMS.
Michael nods.
[Exciting, rhythmic music plays]
Videos from around the world flash behind text that reads, Where in the World?!? They include a sunset, a waterfall, a giraffe, a rice field, a desert, a valley, a river and a fall tree canopy.
Taviss narrates, EARTHWORMS LIVE
ALL ACROSS THE WORLD,
IN ALMOST EVERY ECOSYSTEM.
Worms appear across a world map.
Taviss continues, IN ECUADOR,
THERE'S A GIANT EARTHWORM
THAT'S OVER A METER LONG.
THAT'S THE LENGTH OF A GUITAR!
A blue earthworm lies across rocks and moss.
Taviss narrates, MEANWHILE,
A TEENY TINY GROUNDWORM,
ONLY ZERO POINT TWO
MILLIMETRES LONG,
HAS BEEN FOUND
IN A GARDEN IN SPAIN.
FROM TOTALLY HUGE
TO ITTY BITTY,
EARTHWORMS ARE EVERYWHERE
IN THE WORLD.
Tiny earthworms inch through soil alongside normal-sized earthworms. In the forest, Taviss kneels beside a tree with Michael.
Taviss asks, SO, HOW DO WE
GET THE WORMS TO COME OUT?
Michael says, WE USE
KIND OF A TASTY METHOD.
He pulls a container out of his backpack.
Michael says, MUSTARD.
Taviss glances at Michael’s container. In an animation, two earthworms lie on soil.
[Earthworms humming happily]
A mustard bottle hops over to the earthworms.
One of the earthworms yelps, AHH! MUSTARD!
The earthworms scurry away from the mustard.
The mustard says, WHAT DID I SAY?
In the forest, Michael holds a funnel over a jug of water on a log. Taviss holds a container of mustard powder.
Michael says, POUR THAT IN THE TOP THERE.
Taviss pours the mustard powder into the water jug.
Michael explains, IT SORT OF IRRITATES THEM.
IT DOESN'T REALLY HARM THEM.
SO, AS IT RUNS INTO THE SOIL,
IT'LL DRIVE THEM TO THE SURFACE
SO WE CAN SEE THEM AND WE CAN
GRAB THEM.
Taviss shakes excess mustard powder into the funnel, and Michael removes the funnel.
Michael says, OKAY, PERFECT.
SO, I'M GONNA NEED YOU
TO GIVE THIS A GOOD SHAKE.
He screws the jug cap on and passes the jug to Taviss.
Michael says, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE.
Taviss shakes the large jug, mixing the mustard powder with the water.
[Water sloshing]
Taviss says, IT'S HEAVY.
Michael says, A LITTLE MORE, A LITTLE MORE!
Taviss shakes the jug up and down and side to side.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, DID I JUST CREATE
A NEW DANCE MOVE?
CUTE!
Out loud, Michael says, ALL RIGHT AND I THINK
WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
NICE JOB.
Michael helps Taviss steady the jug on the log.
Michael says, WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE THE CAP OFF
AND WE'RE GOING TO POUR
ABOUT A THIRD OVER IT,
JUST SLOWLY OVER THE SOIL HERE.
Taviss takes the cap off the jug.
Michael says, HERE WE GO.
ALRIGHT, ARE YOU READY?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Michael says, OKAY.
Michael and Taviss carefully pour mustard water into the soil near the log.
Michael says, THERE WE GO.
OKAY, NOW WE'RE GOING TO WAIT.
The mustard water seeps into the soil.
Taviss asks, HOW FAST WILL THEY COME UP?
Michael says, SOMETIMES PRETTY QUICKLY.
He points toward the damp soil.
Michael says, SEE THAT LITTLE ONE?
Taviss says, IT'S LIKE MAGIC.
SLIMY, WEIRD MAGIC, BUT MAGIC!
Earthworms wiggle out of the soil.
Taviss says, OH, THEY'RE ALL COMING UP!
WOW, THIS IS REALLY COOL.
She watches more worms leave the soil.
Taviss says, OH, THERE'S A BUNCH.
She and Michael each reach for a worm.
Taviss says, GRAB YOU GENTLY.
Michael says, NICE AND GENTLE
'CAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF SQUISHY.
Taviss adds a worm to a container of worms and picks up another.
Taviss says, THEY'RE SO CUTE!
VERY SQUIRMISH.
She picks up another worm.
Michael says, YOU GOT ’EM.
Taviss says, AW, LOOK AT HIM.
She puts the worm in the container and reaches for another.
Taviss says, HEY, LITTLE GUY.
She holds up the worm.
Taviss says, BIG GUY!
[Michael chuckling]
Worms lie over each other in the container.
Taviss narrates, AH! LOOK AT THEM ALL!
LET'S GET AN EVEN CLOSER LOOK.
Later in the forest, Michael and Taviss sit on buckets. Taviss holds a worm.
Taviss says, OKAY, WORMY.
SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!
She looks at the worm thoughtfully.
Taviss says, YOU KNOW, I THINK WORMS
ARE REALLY COOL.
Michael nods and says, I THINK THEY'RE
REALLY COOL, TOO.
SOMETHING REALLY COOL
ABOUT THEM
IS ACTUALLY THE WAY
THAT THEY MAKE THEIR BODY.
Taviss lays the worm across her hands.
She says, BUT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE
A LONG, PLAIN BODY.
Michael says, IF YOU LOOK AT
THAT PLAIN BODY,
THEY'RE ACTUALLY DIFFERENT RINGS
THAT COME TOGETHER
TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORM.
IN NATURE, IT'S A REALLY GOOD
WAY TO ACTUALLY MAKE A BODY.
BASICALLY, TAKE ONE WORM SEGMENT
AND YOU SAY, "COPY, PASTE."
YOU DO THAT SEVERAL TIMES
UNTIL YOU HAVE THE WHOLE WORM.
In an animation, a single worm segment ring multiplies and creates an earthworm.
The worm says, UHHH... OH!
[Worm giggling]
In the forest, Taviss says, FEELS REALLY STRONG AS WELL.
Michael says, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE QUITE A BIT OF MUSCLE
IN THEIR BODIES.
The worm wiggles around on Taviss’ hands.
Taviss says, WAIT, HOW DO THEY GET THE
LITTER INTO THEIR MIDDEN HOLE?
Michael says, THEY ACTUALLY JUST PICK IT UP
WITH THEIR MOUTHS.
THEY HAVE A PRETTY STRONG MOUTH
AND THEY CAN PICK THAT LEAF UP
AND DRAG IT ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THEIR HOLE TO EAT LATER.
Taviss says, SEEMS LIKE A LOT TO CARRY
FOR SUCH A LITTLE WORM.
Michael says, IT IS.
THAT'S WHY THEY NEED
ALL THOSE MUSCLES
IN THEIR BODIES
TO HELP THEM MOVE AROUND.
Taviss looks at her worm.
She says, THIS ONE LOOKS A LOT DARKER
THAN THE OTHERS.
Michael says, IT DOES.
THEIR COLOURATION
TELLS US A LOT ABOUT
WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE SOIL.
IF IT'S REALLY DARK,
THEY TEND TO LIVE
NEAR THE SURFACE.
THEY'RE DARK SO THAT PREDATORS
WON'T SEE THEM.
In an animation, two earthworms pop out of soil. One of the worms looks up at the sky and frowns.
The worm shouts, INCOMING!
A shadow passes over the two worms, and they dive into the soil. A bird lands above them.
[Bird cooing]
The bird flies away.
From underground, one of the worms says, PHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE.
In the forest, Michael says, THESE ONES LIVE
DEEP DOWN UNDERGROUND
SO IT DOESN'T MATTER
WHAT COLOR THEY ARE
SO THEY TEND TO BE FAIRLY PALE.
Michael holds a pale worm.
Taviss asks, SO, NOW WHAT DO WE DO
WITH THE WORMS?
WE SHOULDN'T PUT THEM
BACK IN THE FOREST, SHOULD WE?
Michael says, WELL, THEY'RE NOT GOOD
FOR THE FOREST,
BUT THESE SPECIES ARE ALREADY
HERE IN SUCH LARGE NUMBERS,
SO TAKING JUST A FEW OUT
WON'T MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE.
[Dinging]
Taviss says, HMM, YOU THINKING
WHAT I'M THINKING?
[Drumsticks tapping]
[Rock music plays]
Swans fly over a pond. Text reads, The Fun Factor.
Taviss narrates, WITH ALL THIS TALK ABOUT WORMS,
I'VE GOT SOMETHING ON THE BRAIN.
Taviss stands by a pond.
With a sing-song voice, Taviss says, I'M GOING FISHING!
Taviss and Michael walk onto a dock in the pond with fishing poles. Taviss prepares a fishing lure.
Taviss sings, GETTING READY
FOR FISHING!
Michael prepares a fishing lure.
Taviss says, LET'S GO FISHING!
Michael nods and says, SOUNDS GOOD.
He and Taviss stand at the end of the dock with their lures in the water.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH,
DID I GET ANYTHING?
DID I GET ANYTHING?
She reels in her fishing line.
Taviss says, AW, MAN.
Michael says, YOU GOTTA WAIT!
He casts his fishing line.
[Rock music continues]
Michael says, I THINK I GOT SOMETHING.
Taviss helps Michael pull on his fishing rod.
Taviss says, YEP.
Michael counts, ONE, TWO, THREE...
[Michael and Taviss grunting]
Michael and Taviss pull a pineapple out of the water.
Taviss says, A PINEAPPLE?!
Michael says, HUH.
Later, near the pond, Michael and Taviss walk up to a table and container.
[Gentle, uplifting music plays]
Michael says, SO, I KNOW I SAID
THERE'S NOT A LOT
WE CAN DO ABOUT THE WORMS
THAT ARE ALREADY
OUT IN THE FOREST.
Taviss says, RIGHT.
Michael says, BUT WE CAN DO WHAT WE CAN
TO SLOW DOWN THE SPREAD
OF NEW INVASIVE EARTHWORMS.
SO, THIS...
He places the container in front of Taviss.
Michael says, ...IS SOMETHING THAT
I USUALLY KEEP IN THE LAB.
Taviss asks, WHAT IS IT?
THIS CONTAINS A BRAND-NEW
INVASIVE EARTHWORM
THAT'S ONLY BEEN IN CANADA
FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO NOW.
Taviss says, WHOA.
[Dinging]
She narrates, WARNING!
NEW INVADER ALERT!
[Siren wailing]
Out loud, Michael says, THESE ARE CALLED
JUMPING WORMS.
In an animation, an earthworm bounces on a trampoline.
The worm cheers, WHEE!
At the table, Taviss asks, DO THEY JUMP?
Michael says, IT'S KIND OF
WEIRDER THAN THAT.
He opens the container, revealing soil with leaves and sticks.
Michael says, I'LL GET ONE THERE.
He sets the container lid aside and picks a worm out of the soil. The worm wiggles around in Michael’s hand.
Taviss says, YECH.
Michael says, WANT TO KIND OF POKE AT IT?
WE’RE GOING TO PRETEND THAT
YOU'RE A BIRD THAT’S
TRYING TO EAT IT.
Taviss gently pokes at the worm.
Michael says, YOU SEE HOW THEY'RE KIND OF
THRASHING AROUND THERE?
Taviss says, YES.
Michael adds, AND JUMPING SIDE TO SIDE?
The worm moves around Michael’s hand.
Michael explains, THEY'RE TRYING TO
GET AWAY FROM YOU.
THEY'RE HOPING THAT
YOU'RE GOING TO DROP IT
AND NOT EAT IT
SO THEY CAN GET AWAY.
Taviss says, I BET IT WORKS.
THAT'S CREEPY.
Michael says, AND THE WORST PART IS WE'RE
STARTING TO SEE THESE WORMS
MORE AND MORE OFTEN
OUTSIDE IN NATURAL AREAS,
ESPECIALLY AROUND
WHERE PEOPLE LIVE.
A person picks up a worm in a garden, and it wiggles out of the person’s hand.
Michael says, SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL
AND BRUSH OFF THEIR SHOES
AFTER THEY GO HIKING
SO WE DON'T GET WORM COCOONS
IN THEM SPREADING AROUND.
AND ALSO TO NOT DUMP
ANY OF YOUR GARDEN MATERIAL
OUT IN NATURAL AREAS.
Taviss says, WELL, I'LL MAKE SURE
PEOPLE KNOW OF THAT.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO
ENCOUNTER ONE OF THESE
JUMPY THINGIES ON A HIKE.
Michael says, ME NEITHER.
I'M GLAD
YOU'RE ON OUR SIDE, TAVISS.
[Gentle music plays]
An aerial view shows the fall forest canopy.
Taviss narrates, IT'S AMAZING HOW EVERYTHING
IN THE FOREST IS CONNECTED.
Taviss skips through the forest.
She continues, WITHOUT LITTER ON THE GROUND,
TREES MIGHT BE
IN DANGER OF DYING,
AND LITTLE TREES
MIGHT NOT GROW.
ALL BECAUSE OF
ONE LITTLE INTRUDER.
Taviss marks a midden on a trail with a stake flag.
Taviss narrates, SINCE FEW WORMS
SURVIVED THE LAST ICE AGE,
MOST OF THE WORMS IN CANADA
ARE INVASIVE.
THEY DECOMPOSE LITTER
NON THE GROUND AT SUPER SPEED,
MAKING THEM GOOD FOR THE
GARDEN, BUT BAD FOR THE FOREST.
Worms inch across soil.
Taviss adds, AND THOUGH SOME WORM SPECIES
ARE HERE FOR GOOD,
WE CAN STILL SLOW THE SPREAD
OF NEW ONES.
Out loud on a trail, Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
EARTHWORMS ARE
UNDERGROUND INVADERS!
[Uplifting music plays]
Text reads, Secrets of The Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial, and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Written by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Michael McTavish. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment. t.v.o. kids.
A child says, WHEE!
[Child giggling]
t.v.o. kids and Fifth Ground Entertainment Original
[Soft, gentle music plays]
An aerial view shows a lush forest. Text reads, T.V.O. Presents.
Host Taviss narrates, THIS FOREST IS QUIETLY BEING INVADED.
Sunlight flickers through the trees.
Taviss continues, THE INTRUDER
IS AN EXPERT AT HIDING
RIGHT BELOW OUR VERY FEET.
Taviss walks down a muddy trail scattered with leaves. Taviss wears her curly brown hair in two braids, a light pink, purple and white hoodie, jeans, and hiking boots.
Taviss narrates, IT'S TEARING APART THE FOREST
AND YET IT LIVES
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD!
WANNA KNOW WHAT IT IS?
Taviss kneels on her knees and elbows. She wears a green T-shirt.
Out loud, Taviss says, FOLLOW ME!
Taviss stands and runs through the forest.
[Magical music plays]
The title appears within an image of a girl looking up at trees through a magnifying glass. The title reads, Secrets of the Forest.
[Whooshing]
An aerial view shows a lush forest full of fall leaves.
Taviss narrates, TODAY'S SECRET BRINGS US
TO THE LAND OF THE WENDAT,
HAUDENOSAUNEE
AND ANISHINAABE PEOPLES.
THIS AREA IS NOW KNOWN AS
NTHE KOFFLER SCIENTIFIC RESERVE.
NOT SO DEEP IN THE FOREST,
THERE'S AN INTRUDER.
SCRATCH THAT.
HUNDREDS OF INTRUDERS.
BUT A WALK IN THE WOODS
WON'T REVEAL THE TRESPASSER.
LUCKY FOR ME, I HAVE HELP.
MEET MICHAEL MCTAVISH.
Michael McTavish has short brown hair and glasses. He wears a plaid, blue button-down shirt and a watch. Michael carries a backpack and holds up a worm.
Taviss narrates, MICHAEL IS A RESEARCH SCIENTIST
WITH THE SMITH FOREST HEALTH LB
AT UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO.
HE SPECIALIZES
IN STUDYING THIS INVADER.
Taviss walks down a trail in the forest covered in leaves and sticks.
Taviss narrates, I BET YOU'RE OVER THERE LIKE,
HELLO, EARTH TO TAVISS,
YOU HAVEN'T TOLD US
WHO THIS INVADER IS.
Taviss gazes up at the trees around her.
Taviss narrates, WELL, THAT'S BECAUSE
I DON'T KNOW!
IT'S A SECRET.
BUT WE'RE ALL
ABOUT TO FIND OUT.
Taviss stands in a field outside the forest with Michael.
Taviss narrates, MICHAEL, WHO IS THIS
UNDERGROUND INVADER?
I'M DYING TO KNOW.
Michael says, SO, IF YOU CAN BELIEVE IT,
IT'S ACTUALLY WORMS.
Taviss says, LIKE THE ONES IN OUR GARDEN?
Michael says, THOSE EXACT ONES.
In an animation, a worm pops out of the ground.
The worm says, HI THERE!
The worm winks.
In the field, Michael says, MOST OF OUR EARTHWORMS
HERE IN NORTH AMERICA
ACTUALLY WENT EXTINCT
A LONG TIME AGO.
SO, MOST OF THE WORMS
THAT WE DO SEE
ARE NON-NATIVE AND INVASIVE.
Taviss says, BUT HOW'D THEY GET HERE?
Michael says, SO MOST OF THEM ARE COMING OVER
FROM EUROPE AND THEY'VE BEEN
COMING WITH SETTLERS
FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS.
THEY COME OVER IN SOIL
AND IN PLANTS
SOMETIMES WITHOUT US
EVEN KNOWING IT.
In an animation, a ship cruises onto a beach and worms scurry out.
[Honking]
Worms cheer, WE MADE IT!
WHOO-HOO!
WE MADE IT.
WE'RE HOME, WE'RE HOME!
In the field, Michael says, AND THIS PROCESS
IS STILL ONGOING TO THIS DAY.
THERE ARE STILL INVASIVE
EARTHWORMS COMING FROM OVERSEAS.
Taviss says, THAT'S A BAD THING?
I THOUGHT
WORMS WERE GOOD FOR OUR GARDEN.
Michael says, WE HAVE A SAYING IN THE
EARTHWORM COMMUNITY WHICH IS,
GOOD IN THE GARDEN,
BUT BAD IN THE FOREST.
[Gentle music plays]
In a forest, Taviss and Michael walk down a trail.
Michael says, YOU SEE ALL
THIS LITTER AROUND?
Taviss says, UH, I DON'T SEE ANY LITTER.
She looks around the trail scattered with sticks, leaves and pieces of bark.
Michael says, IT'S NOT GARBAGE LITTER,
THIS IS FOREST LITTER.
THIS IS MATERIAL THAT FALLS DOWN
FROM THE TREES AND THE PLANTS
AND IT ACCUMULATES ON THE
SOIL SURFACE AND BREAKS DOWN.
Taviss says, YEAH, IN THAT CASE,
I DO SEE IT.
Michael explains, FOREST LITTER IS QUITE KEY
TO THE FOREST ECOSYSTEM.
WHAT A LOT OF PEOPLE
DON'T KNOW, THOUGH,
IS THAT WORMS COMPLETELY CHANGE
THE FOREST LITTER LAYER.
THEY ACTUALLY BREAK IT DOWN
AND THAT'S A PROBLEM
BECAUSE THEY'RE DOING IT
MUCH TOO QUICKLY.
SO, WITHOUT LITTER,
THE SOILS END UP REALLY EXPOSED.
THEY DRY OUT QUICKLY
AND PLANTS THAT GROW THERE
ARE REALLY VULNERABLE
TO HERBIVORES
THAT MAY COME ALONG
AND TRY AND EAT THEM.
Three deer in a forest eat from forest litter.
Michael continues, AND THE PROBLEM IS
THAT EVEN JUST ONE WORM
CAN BREAK THAT DOWN
REALLY QUICKLY.
SO, THEY'RE SMALL,
BUT THEY'RE MIGHTY.
In an animation, a worm with arms lifts weights.
[Worm grunting]
Muscles appear on the worm’s arms, and the worm smiles.
In the forest, Taviss asks, HOW MUCH DAMAGE
CAN THEY REALLY DO?
Michael says, I'LL SHOW YOU.
Taviss narrates, WATCH OUT WORMS!
WE'RE COMING FOR YA!
Taviss and Michael continue down the trail.
Michael says, SO, IN THE FOREST,
WE EXPECT TO SEE BRANCHES
AND LEAVES DOWN ON THE GROUND…
Taviss says, THEIR LITTER?
Michael says, EXACTLY.
BUT WHEN WE'RE IN
AN AREA WITH WORMS,
WHAT WE SEE INSTEAD
IS A LOT OF BARE GROUND
AND THEN LITTLE PILES
OF MATERIAL, THIS LITTER,
THAT'S BEEN PULLED TOGETHER.
Taviss says, LIKE THAT ONE?
Taviss points ahead of her. She and Michael crouch near a small nest-like pile of dry branches, leaves and bark mixed with dirt.
Michael says, YEAH, GOOD EYE, TAVISS.
SO, THAT'S A MIDDEN THERE
AND THAT'S A GOOD INDICATION
THAT RIGHT UNDER THERE
WE HAVE A NIGHTCRAWLER.
Taviss asks, IS THAT A TYPE OF WORM?
Michael nods and says, IT IS.
THAT'S A COMMON NAME
FOR AN EARTHWORM THAT WE HAVE
ALL OVER THE PLACE HERE.
THEY FORM THESE MIDDENS
AND EACH ONE WILL HAVE
THEIR OWN BURROW UNDERNEATH.
SO AT NIGHT THEY GO AROUND
ON THE SOIL SURFACE
AND GATHER UP ALL THIS LITTER
AND PULL IT BACK TO THE MIDDEN.
Taviss says, THE HOLE'S UNDERNEATH
ALL THIS STUFF?
Taviss pinches the midden, the nest-like pile of dirt mixed with forest litter.
Michael says, EXACTLY.
Taviss says, FEELS KIND OF GRAINY.
Michael says, IT IS KIND OF STRANGE, ISN'T IT?
Taviss says, YES.
Taviss holds pieces of the midden between her hands.
Michael says, SO, IT'S A MIX OF PLANT MATTER
THAT'S BREAKING DOWN
AND WORM POOP.
[Record scratching]
Taviss’ eyes widen.
Taviss narrates, I'M HOLDING POOP.
IN MY HAND.
Out loud, Michael continues, AND THEY'LL MIX THAT POOP
WITH THE LITTER
AND THAT'S
WHAT MAKES THE MIDDEN.
Taviss says, SO, THE MIDDENS
WILL LEAD US TO THE WORMS.
Michael says, PRECISELY.
SO, WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO
IS PUT A FLAG
ON EACH OF THESE MIDDENS.
Michael gives Taviss a pink stake flag.
Taviss says, LET'S DO IT!
She grins, and Michael nods.
[Exciting music plays]
In a timelapse, Taviss and Michael mark different middens on the trail with stake flags. Later on the trail, Taviss stands beside Michael.
Taviss says, WHOA, THAT'S A LOT OF WORMS.
Michael nods.
[Exciting, rhythmic music plays]
Videos from around the world flash behind text that reads, Where in the World?!? They include a sunset, a waterfall, a giraffe, a rice field, a desert, a valley, a river and a fall tree canopy.
Taviss narrates, EARTHWORMS LIVE
ALL ACROSS THE WORLD,
IN ALMOST EVERY ECOSYSTEM.
Worms appear across a world map.
Taviss continues, IN ECUADOR,
THERE'S A GIANT EARTHWORM
THAT'S OVER A METER LONG.
THAT'S THE LENGTH OF A GUITAR!
A blue earthworm lies across rocks and moss.
Taviss narrates, MEANWHILE,
A TEENY TINY GROUNDWORM,
ONLY ZERO POINT TWO
MILLIMETRES LONG,
HAS BEEN FOUND
IN A GARDEN IN SPAIN.
FROM TOTALLY HUGE
TO ITTY BITTY,
EARTHWORMS ARE EVERYWHERE
IN THE WORLD.
Tiny earthworms inch through soil alongside normal-sized earthworms. In the forest, Taviss kneels beside a tree with Michael.
Taviss asks, SO, HOW DO WE
GET THE WORMS TO COME OUT?
Michael says, WE USE
KIND OF A TASTY METHOD.
He pulls a container out of his backpack.
Michael says, MUSTARD.
Taviss glances at Michael’s container. In an animation, two earthworms lie on soil.
[Earthworms humming happily]
A mustard bottle hops over to the earthworms.
One of the earthworms yelps, AHH! MUSTARD!
The earthworms scurry away from the mustard.
The mustard says, WHAT DID I SAY?
In the forest, Michael holds a funnel over a jug of water on a log. Taviss holds a container of mustard powder.
Michael says, POUR THAT IN THE TOP THERE.
Taviss pours the mustard powder into the water jug.
Michael explains, IT SORT OF IRRITATES THEM.
IT DOESN'T REALLY HARM THEM.
SO, AS IT RUNS INTO THE SOIL,
IT'LL DRIVE THEM TO THE SURFACE
SO WE CAN SEE THEM AND WE CAN
GRAB THEM.
Taviss shakes excess mustard powder into the funnel, and Michael removes the funnel.
Michael says, OKAY, PERFECT.
SO, I'M GONNA NEED YOU
TO GIVE THIS A GOOD SHAKE.
He screws the jug cap on and passes the jug to Taviss.
Michael says, SHAKE, SHAKE, SHAKE.
Taviss shakes the large jug, mixing the mustard powder with the water.
[Water sloshing]
Taviss says, IT'S HEAVY.
Michael says, A LITTLE MORE, A LITTLE MORE!
Taviss shakes the jug up and down and side to side.
[Dinging]
Taviss narrates, DID I JUST CREATE
A NEW DANCE MOVE?
CUTE!
Out loud, Michael says, ALL RIGHT AND I THINK
WE'RE GOOD TO GO.
NICE JOB.
Michael helps Taviss steady the jug on the log.
Michael says, WE'RE GOING TO
TAKE THE CAP OFF
AND WE'RE GOING TO POUR
ABOUT A THIRD OVER IT,
JUST SLOWLY OVER THE SOIL HERE.
Taviss takes the cap off the jug.
Michael says, HERE WE GO.
ALRIGHT, ARE YOU READY?
Taviss says, YEAH!
Michael says, OKAY.
Michael and Taviss carefully pour mustard water into the soil near the log.
Michael says, THERE WE GO.
OKAY, NOW WE'RE GOING TO WAIT.
The mustard water seeps into the soil.
Taviss asks, HOW FAST WILL THEY COME UP?
Michael says, SOMETIMES PRETTY QUICKLY.
He points toward the damp soil.
Michael says, SEE THAT LITTLE ONE?
Taviss says, IT'S LIKE MAGIC.
SLIMY, WEIRD MAGIC, BUT MAGIC!
Earthworms wiggle out of the soil.
Taviss says, OH, THEY'RE ALL COMING UP!
WOW, THIS IS REALLY COOL.
She watches more worms leave the soil.
Taviss says, OH, THERE'S A BUNCH.
She and Michael each reach for a worm.
Taviss says, GRAB YOU GENTLY.
Michael says, NICE AND GENTLE
'CAUSE THEY'RE KIND OF SQUISHY.
Taviss adds a worm to a container of worms and picks up another.
Taviss says, THEY'RE SO CUTE!
VERY SQUIRMISH.
She picks up another worm.
Michael says, YOU GOT ’EM.
Taviss says, AW, LOOK AT HIM.
She puts the worm in the container and reaches for another.
Taviss says, HEY, LITTLE GUY.
She holds up the worm.
Taviss says, BIG GUY!
[Michael chuckling]
Worms lie over each other in the container.
Taviss narrates, AH! LOOK AT THEM ALL!
LET'S GET AN EVEN CLOSER LOOK.
Later in the forest, Michael and Taviss sit on buckets. Taviss holds a worm.
Taviss says, OKAY, WORMY.
SHOW ME WHAT YOU GOT!
She looks at the worm thoughtfully.
Taviss says, YOU KNOW, I THINK WORMS
ARE REALLY COOL.
Michael nods and says, I THINK THEY'RE
REALLY COOL, TOO.
SOMETHING REALLY COOL
ABOUT THEM
IS ACTUALLY THE WAY
THAT THEY MAKE THEIR BODY.
Taviss lays the worm across her hands.
She says, BUT IT JUST LOOKS LIKE
A LONG, PLAIN BODY.
Michael says, IF YOU LOOK AT
THAT PLAIN BODY,
THEY'RE ACTUALLY DIFFERENT RINGS
THAT COME TOGETHER
TO MAKE THE WHOLE WORM.
IN NATURE, IT'S A REALLY GOOD
WAY TO ACTUALLY MAKE A BODY.
BASICALLY, TAKE ONE WORM SEGMENT
AND YOU SAY, "COPY, PASTE."
YOU DO THAT SEVERAL TIMES
UNTIL YOU HAVE THE WHOLE WORM.
In an animation, a single worm segment ring multiplies and creates an earthworm.
The worm says, UHHH... OH!
[Worm giggling]
In the forest, Taviss says, FEELS REALLY STRONG AS WELL.
Michael says, THEY ACTUALLY HAVE QUITE A BIT OF MUSCLE
IN THEIR BODIES.
The worm wiggles around on Taviss’ hands.
Taviss says, WAIT, HOW DO THEY GET THE
LITTER INTO THEIR MIDDEN HOLE?
Michael says, THEY ACTUALLY JUST PICK IT UP
WITH THEIR MOUTHS.
THEY HAVE A PRETTY STRONG MOUTH
AND THEY CAN PICK THAT LEAF UP
AND DRAG IT ALL THE WAY BACK
TO THEIR HOLE TO EAT LATER.
Taviss says, SEEMS LIKE A LOT TO CARRY
FOR SUCH A LITTLE WORM.
Michael says, IT IS.
THAT'S WHY THEY NEED
ALL THOSE MUSCLES
IN THEIR BODIES
TO HELP THEM MOVE AROUND.
Taviss looks at her worm.
She says, THIS ONE LOOKS A LOT DARKER
THAN THE OTHERS.
Michael says, IT DOES.
THEIR COLOURATION
TELLS US A LOT ABOUT
WHERE THEY LIVE IN THE SOIL.
IF IT'S REALLY DARK,
THEY TEND TO LIVE
NEAR THE SURFACE.
THEY'RE DARK SO THAT PREDATORS
WON'T SEE THEM.
In an animation, two earthworms pop out of soil. One of the worms looks up at the sky and frowns.
The worm shouts, INCOMING!
A shadow passes over the two worms, and they dive into the soil. A bird lands above them.
[Bird cooing]
The bird flies away.
From underground, one of the worms says, PHEW, THAT WAS CLOSE.
In the forest, Michael says, THESE ONES LIVE
DEEP DOWN UNDERGROUND
SO IT DOESN'T MATTER
WHAT COLOR THEY ARE
SO THEY TEND TO BE FAIRLY PALE.
Michael holds a pale worm.
Taviss asks, SO, NOW WHAT DO WE DO
WITH THE WORMS?
WE SHOULDN'T PUT THEM
BACK IN THE FOREST, SHOULD WE?
Michael says, WELL, THEY'RE NOT GOOD
FOR THE FOREST,
BUT THESE SPECIES ARE ALREADY
HERE IN SUCH LARGE NUMBERS,
SO TAKING JUST A FEW OUT
WON'T MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE.
[Dinging]
Taviss says, HMM, YOU THINKING
WHAT I'M THINKING?
[Drumsticks tapping]
[Rock music plays]
Swans fly over a pond. Text reads, The Fun Factor.
Taviss narrates, WITH ALL THIS TALK ABOUT WORMS,
I'VE GOT SOMETHING ON THE BRAIN.
Taviss stands by a pond.
With a sing-song voice, Taviss says, I'M GOING FISHING!
Taviss and Michael walk onto a dock in the pond with fishing poles. Taviss prepares a fishing lure.
Taviss sings, GETTING READY
FOR FISHING!
Michael prepares a fishing lure.
Taviss says, LET'S GO FISHING!
Michael nods and says, SOUNDS GOOD.
He and Taviss stand at the end of the dock with their lures in the water.
Taviss says, OH, YEAH,
DID I GET ANYTHING?
DID I GET ANYTHING?
She reels in her fishing line.
Taviss says, AW, MAN.
Michael says, YOU GOTTA WAIT!
He casts his fishing line.
[Rock music continues]
Michael says, I THINK I GOT SOMETHING.
Taviss helps Michael pull on his fishing rod.
Taviss says, YEP.
Michael counts, ONE, TWO, THREE...
[Michael and Taviss grunting]
Michael and Taviss pull a pineapple out of the water.
Taviss says, A PINEAPPLE?!
Michael says, HUH.
Later, near the pond, Michael and Taviss walk up to a table and container.
[Gentle, uplifting music plays]
Michael says, SO, I KNOW I SAID
THERE'S NOT A LOT
WE CAN DO ABOUT THE WORMS
THAT ARE ALREADY
OUT IN THE FOREST.
Taviss says, RIGHT.
Michael says, BUT WE CAN DO WHAT WE CAN
TO SLOW DOWN THE SPREAD
OF NEW INVASIVE EARTHWORMS.
SO, THIS...
He places the container in front of Taviss.
Michael says, ...IS SOMETHING THAT
I USUALLY KEEP IN THE LAB.
Taviss asks, WHAT IS IT?
THIS CONTAINS A BRAND-NEW
INVASIVE EARTHWORM
THAT'S ONLY BEEN IN CANADA
FOR ABOUT A YEAR OR TWO NOW.
Taviss says, WHOA.
[Dinging]
She narrates, WARNING!
NEW INVADER ALERT!
[Siren wailing]
Out loud, Michael says, THESE ARE CALLED
JUMPING WORMS.
In an animation, an earthworm bounces on a trampoline.
The worm cheers, WHEE!
At the table, Taviss asks, DO THEY JUMP?
Michael says, IT'S KIND OF
WEIRDER THAN THAT.
He opens the container, revealing soil with leaves and sticks.
Michael says, I'LL GET ONE THERE.
He sets the container lid aside and picks a worm out of the soil. The worm wiggles around in Michael’s hand.
Taviss says, YECH.
Michael says, WANT TO KIND OF POKE AT IT?
WE’RE GOING TO PRETEND THAT
YOU'RE A BIRD THAT’S
TRYING TO EAT IT.
Taviss gently pokes at the worm.
Michael says, YOU SEE HOW THEY'RE KIND OF
THRASHING AROUND THERE?
Taviss says, YES.
Michael adds, AND JUMPING SIDE TO SIDE?
The worm moves around Michael’s hand.
Michael explains, THEY'RE TRYING TO
GET AWAY FROM YOU.
THEY'RE HOPING THAT
YOU'RE GOING TO DROP IT
AND NOT EAT IT
SO THEY CAN GET AWAY.
Taviss says, I BET IT WORKS.
THAT'S CREEPY.
Michael says, AND THE WORST PART IS WE'RE
STARTING TO SEE THESE WORMS
MORE AND MORE OFTEN
OUTSIDE IN NATURAL AREAS,
ESPECIALLY AROUND
WHERE PEOPLE LIVE.
A person picks up a worm in a garden, and it wiggles out of the person’s hand.
Michael says, SO IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT
FOR PEOPLE TO BE CAREFUL
AND BRUSH OFF THEIR SHOES
AFTER THEY GO HIKING
SO WE DON'T GET WORM COCOONS
IN THEM SPREADING AROUND.
AND ALSO TO NOT DUMP
ANY OF YOUR GARDEN MATERIAL
OUT IN NATURAL AREAS.
Taviss says, WELL, I'LL MAKE SURE
PEOPLE KNOW OF THAT.
BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO
ENCOUNTER ONE OF THESE
JUMPY THINGIES ON A HIKE.
Michael says, ME NEITHER.
I'M GLAD
YOU'RE ON OUR SIDE, TAVISS.
[Gentle music plays]
An aerial view shows the fall forest canopy.
Taviss narrates, IT'S AMAZING HOW EVERYTHING
IN THE FOREST IS CONNECTED.
Taviss skips through the forest.
She continues, WITHOUT LITTER ON THE GROUND,
TREES MIGHT BE
IN DANGER OF DYING,
AND LITTLE TREES
MIGHT NOT GROW.
ALL BECAUSE OF
ONE LITTLE INTRUDER.
Taviss marks a midden on a trail with a stake flag.
Taviss narrates, SINCE FEW WORMS
SURVIVED THE LAST ICE AGE,
MOST OF THE WORMS IN CANADA
ARE INVASIVE.
THEY DECOMPOSE LITTER
NON THE GROUND AT SUPER SPEED,
MAKING THEM GOOD FOR THE
GARDEN, BUT BAD FOR THE FOREST.
Worms inch across soil.
Taviss adds, AND THOUGH SOME WORM SPECIES
ARE HERE FOR GOOD,
WE CAN STILL SLOW THE SPREAD
OF NEW ONES.
Out loud on a trail, Taviss says, THE SECRET IS OUT.
EARTHWORMS ARE
UNDERGROUND INVADERS!
[Uplifting music plays]
Text reads, Secrets of The Forest is grateful to work in the traditional territories of many different First Nations. We acknowledge their stewardship of these lands since time immemorial, and our responsibility to ensure it is never forgotten.
End credits. Directed by Melissa Peters. Written by Melissa Peters. Created by Melissa Peters, Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Produced by Raj Panikkar, Christopher Szarka. Featuring Taviss Paula Millington Edwards with Michael McTavish. Logos: Fifth Ground Entertainment. t.v.o. kids.
You are now leaving TVOKids.com
TVOKids doesn't have control over the new place you're about to visit, so please make sure you get your Parent or Guardian's permission first!
Do you have permission from your Parents / Guardian to go to other websites?