Watch Secret Life Underground

Secret Life Underground is a nature documentary series produced by Curiosity Stream that reveals the mysterious and fascinating world that exists beneath our feet. The show takes viewers on a journey through various underground ecosystems, from the intense heat of volcanic caves to the dark and damp tunnels of the world's largest underground river system.

Through stunning cinematography and expert narration, viewers are introduced to a wide variety of creatures that dwell in the underground, many of which have adapted unique features and behaviors to survive in this harsh and often inhospitable environment. From blind fish that navigate through pitch-black waters using a kind of echolocation to predatory spiders that use powerful venom to capture their prey, the series provides a rich and detailed look at some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet.

What makes Secret Life Underground particularly compelling is the way it explores the interconnectedness of these underground ecosystems. Viewers learn how different species depend on each other for survival, and how even small changes to the environment can have a ripple effect throughout the entire system. For example, a season of heavy rainfall can lead to massive floods that change the very composition of the soil, affecting the growth of plants and the behavior of creatures that live off of them.

The show also delves into the ways in which humans have interacted with the underground world, and how our actions have had a profound impact on these delicate ecosystems. From mining to construction to pollution, human activity has significantly disrupted underground environments in many parts of the world, leading to the extinction of certain species and the alteration of entire ecosystems.

Throughout the series, viewers are treated to a rich array of visuals that showcase the beauty and complexity of these underground worlds. From stunning aerial shots of vast cave systems to intimate close-ups of tiny creatures, Secret Life Underground offers a window into a world that is largely hidden from view.

One particularly memorable episode takes viewers to the world's largest underground river system in Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula. Here, explorers have discovered a massive network of flooded tunnels that are home to a wealth of unique and often bizarre creatures. Viewers are introduced to giant catfish that can grow up to six feet long, blind shrimp that navigate through the underwater darkness using their sense of touch, and even freshwater sponges that filter the water and provide a crucial source of food for many of the other creatures that live in the river.

Another episode visits the lava tubes of Hawaii, where volcanoes have created tunnels of solidified rock that are now home to a variety of adapted creatures. Here, viewers meet the blind huntsman spider, a formidable predator that has evolved the ability to sense vibrations in the air and on the ground to locate its prey. They also encounter a species of cockroach that has adapted to living in complete darkness by losing its eyes and developing long, sensitive antennae to navigate and sense its environment.

Overall, Secret Life Underground is an informative and visually stunning series that offers a unique and eye-opening look at the world beneath our feet. By showcasing the complexity of these underground ecosystems and the fascinating creatures that call them home, the show highlights the importance of preserving and protecting these fragile environments for future generations to enjoy.

Secret Life Underground is a series that ran for 1 seasons (2 episodes) between May 22, 2019 and on Curiosity Stream