In perfect adaptation to temporary freshwater ponds, vernal pools, or salt lakes, they have developed resting eggs that contain an embryo. These eggs remain viable for decades, perhaps even millennia. The embryo manages to survive without any metabolism. Extreme heat and extreme cold have no effect, though the loss of vernal pools to development poses a serious threat to fairy and tadpole shrimps in places like Southern California.

How can these seemingly dead embryos prevent decay? What switches them on to life again? Filled with spectacular macrophotography, this documentary illustrates the life cycle of branchiopods. Three years in the making, it was shot all over Europe and in the Great Salt Lake in Utah.

Note: This documentary is a re-titled and re-narrated version of the original German film "Tod auf Zeit", for which there was a translated version in English called "We Die to Live".



Grade Level: Grades 7-12, College, Adult
US Release Date: 2000     Copyright Date: 1999
DVD ISBN: 1-59458-893-7     VHS ISBN: 1-56029-812-X

Reviews "This award-winning nature film is surely a masterpiece in its category. One seldom sees such superb nature cinema presented with clear and concise narration targeted toward a broad lay audience. Don't be fooled, though, because there is plenty here for the most ardent carcinologist...This film is a magnificent production and a powerful teaching tool. " Dr. Christopher Tudge, Biology Dept., American University "This is an excellent video! It does a superior job of giving an overview of the unique lifestyle of branchiopod crustaceans...The information presented is well researched and scientifically rigorous. In fact, I learned new information I didn't know about these shrimps, and I'm a branchiopod biologist!...I will DEFINITELY use this video in my Invertebrate Zoology class, and ALL of my research graduate and undergraduate students will also be interested in seeing this video!" Stephen C. Weeks, Biology Dept., University of Akron "A captivating video packed with solid information, presented in a beautifully straightforward and interesting way...I enthusiastically recommend this video to any audience interested in learning about large branchiopod crustaceans and their adaptation to the temporary pool habitat." Denton Belk, Chair, Inland Water Crustacean Specialist Group, IUCN, Journal of Crustacean Biology "Interesting, compelling and highly educational...beautifully and concisely delivered, and I highly recommend it for older children and adults." Dr. Steven Morgan, Dept. of Environmental Science and Policy, UC-Davis "This is a wonderful piece of science story telling with gorgeous film to accompany it." International Wildlife Film Festival Juror