The time-lapse below was taken of a roadkilled raccoon over a one week period as it decomposed in the elements. It's not long enough for flowers to spring up and, by the end, meat is still kinda-sorta meat, but nonetheless eternity looms.The video's creator, Chris Bickel–likely known better for hardcore bands Guyana Punch Line and In/Humanity; see also: smashism–pairs the video with the great Edvard Munch quote, "From my rotting body, flowers shall grow and I am in them and that is eternity." Indeed, but the actual process remains as gross and creepy as we might fear. "RIP Rudolf," Bickel writes. "Is nature so vulgar?"A quick overview of how this works: An organism dies, loses heat, muscles stiffen, and, almost immediately, pH changes in the body cause cells to release enzymes beginning the breakdown of tissue. Meanwhile, oxygen depletion within the body allows anaerobic organisms to go wild, leading to putrefaction, the state in which tissues fall apart and organs liquefy. Around now, our first insect scavengers should be arriving on-scene.Next up is the great, final bloat, in which all of the methane, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide released by anaerobic organisms builds up within the corpse, which begins to inflate with gas and yet more liquid. As pressure increases within the corpse, that liquid is eventually forced out the creature's various orifices. Still no flowers, but maggots are now being produced from within the tissue.Around this point is peak-grossness, as the maggots and microbes in the body go crazy, quickly decimating whatever solid material is left, save for bones, fur, and cartilage. The accumulated liquefied tissue forms a pool around the corpse, killing off neighboring vegetation. The insects and microbes vacate as their corpse-meals diminish, and we're pretty much done. During the final decomposition stage, the nutrient load in the surrounding soil increases, leading to a marked spike in plant growth. New life.The time-lapse above was actually taken as a test of the relatively cheap Brinno TLC200 camera, with not entirely positive results. You can find the full review on the video's YouTube page. Please note also the photographer's disclaimer: "[The] animal was found in this state, not hurt or killed for the purpose of this video. Please brake for animals."The music in the video is Bickel's own, under his avant-garde music guise Anakrid. Which is, obviously, a project highly worth investigating.Reach this writer at michaelb@motherboard.tv.
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