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".

Web Page: http://www.bullfrogfilms.com/catalog/sa.html

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. "