Synopsis

David Attenborough visits the hottest and driest places on earth. In the Mojave desert he finds a plant that has been growing there for more than 10,000 years.

Further Information

More clips from The Living Planet

01: The Building of the Earth | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'30''

David Attenborough examines the colossal forces that shape the earth's surface. He visits the deepest gorge in the world - ...

02: The Frozen World | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'35''

From the mountains of Africa to the glaciers of Antarctica and the Arctic, David Attenborough explores the ways animals adapt to sur...

03: The Northern Forests | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'29''

From the Arctic to the southern USA stretches the largest forest in the world. David Attenborough roams from north to south thro...

04: Jungle | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'49''

David Attenborough explores the Amazon jungle, from the tops of the huge trees to the undergrowth which lies at their roots.

05: Seas of Grass | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'05''

David Attenborough explores the grasslands of the Americas, Eurasia and Africa, and encounters the rare maned wolf, a giant anteater, b...

07: The Sky Above | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'03''

David Attenborough shows that without gravity the world would be a chaotic place. But some species like spiders, birds and bats have ov...

08: Sweet Fresh Water | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'09''

David Attenborough follows the river Amazon from the Andes to the sea, exploring the life in and around it as it changes from cold ...

09: The Margins of the Land | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'21''

David Attenborough examines the borders between land and water and the life that thrives there, from an English estuary to tr...

10: Worlds Apart | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'13''

David Attenborough explores the isolated islands which are a haven for ancient species as well as the cradle of new ones.

11: The Open Ocean | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 52'37''

David Attenborough explores the ocean, which covers 70 per cent of the Earth's surface. It contains creatures like the leafy sea drago...

12: New Worlds | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 54'01''

David Attenborough looks at the damage we are causing far away from our centres of population - to the oceans, the atmosphere and the trop...

Heights of diversity | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 2'36''

David Attenborough discusses the rainforest climate and explains where earth's rainforests are located.

Hidden in plain sight | The Living Planet

BBC Two | 1984 | 2'03''

In the seaweed forest of southern Australia, the leafy sea dragon is so well camouflaged that other fish swim amongst its finery as...

More from Sir David Attenborough

04: Freshwater | Planet Earth III

BBC One | 2023 | 58'26''

Fresh water is the lifeblood of planet Earth, where incredible animal dramas play out. From death-feigning fish to frogs that glide, each d...

The hypnotising cuttlefish | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 2'08''

This master of disguise has an unorthodox approach for hunting crabs.

Ants vs Cows | Natural World

BBC Two | 2017 | 2'09''

The super colony unites in a spectacular attack to defend their nest from curious cows.

03: Jungles | Planet Earth II

BBC One | 2016 | 58'00'''

Jungles provide the richest habitats on the planet - mysterious worlds of high drama where extraordinary animals attempt to survive in the most...

Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood

BBC Two | 2014 | 3'53''

Wall lizards take advantage of foul-smelling dead-horse arums.

How Many People Can Live on Planet Earth? | Horizon

BBC Two | 2009 | 58'22''

Naturalist Sir David Attenborough investigates whether the world faces a population crisis and if it is the duty of indiv...

10: Seasonal Forests | Planet Earth

BBC One | 2006 | 58'44''

Documentary series which celebrates our planet in all its glory. David Attenborough reveals the greatest woodlands on earth, from the nor...

David Attenborough's 100 Years on Planet Earth

BBC One | 2026 | 1'31'15''

A 90-minute special, broadcast from the Royal Albert Hall, London, celebrating Sir David Attenborough's groundbreaking career ...

01: Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles

BBC One | 2023 | 57'14''

David Attenborough celebrates the rich variety of habitats in our wild isles, the existence of which is critical for the survival of spec...

07: Worlds of Wonder | Frozen Planet II

BBC One | 2023 | 58'06''

A journey through the world’s coldest realms with the most-loved animals from the series, including emperor penguins and one of the l...

David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

BBC One | 2022 | 1'32''

David Attenborough speaks about the environment. Also, includes footage of the drones that turn into animals.

01: Tropical Worlds | The Green Planet

BBC One | 2022 | 58'43''

Tropical rainforests are plant battlegrounds. New filming techniques allow us to enter the world of plants to see it from their perspe...

Greta meets David Attenborough | Greta Thunberg: A Year to Change the World

BBC One | 2021 | 3'39''

Greta Thunberg and David Attenborough discuss their hopes for the future of the planet.

The People v Climate Change

BBC Two | 2021 | 1'03'06''

Meet the 108 ordinary Brits who Sir David Attenborough says we should listen to. This warm and honest documentary reveals how everyday people fee...

Views on COP26 | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2021 | 3'06''

COP26 delegates and climate scientist Hannah Cloke discuss their hopes for the COP26 conference.

Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet

BBC One | 2021 | 2'46''

Glaciers crumbling more quickly, due to climate change, give the advantage to leopard seals hunting penguins.

Poison dart frogs battle it out | Attenborough's Life in Colour

BBC One | 2021 | 1'15''

A poison dart frog fights off a contender until he's sufficiently warned off.

Self-sacrificing fish | Life

BBC Two | 2021 | 3'32''

Flying fish can leave the water and soar great distances on their elongated fins to escape from predators below the waves. But finding a place t...

Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 58'01''

With a million species at risk of extinction, David Attenborough explores how this crisis of biodiversity has consequences for us all, including puttin...

Lion vs. hyenas | Dynasties

BBC One | 2018 | 3'21''

A pair of male lions take on more than 20 hyenas.

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06: The Baking Deserts | The Living Planet

Synopsis

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