The Beginning of Life | Life on Earth

Duration: 3'53''

Synopsis

David Attenborough explains the origins of life on earth, starting over three and a half thousand million years ago.

Further Information

More clips from Life On Earth

1: The Infinite Variety | Life On Earth

1: The Infinite Variety | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'12''

The first ever episode of the landmark natural history series Life on Earth. David Attenborough explores the wildlife and landscape t...

10: Themes and Variations | Life On Earth

10: Themes and Variations | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 52'46''

David Attenborough looks at some of the huge variety of mammals. The tree shrew has attracted great interest as it shows how mammal...

11: The Hunters and the Hunted | Life On Earth

11: The Hunters and the Hunted | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'15''

David Attenborough explores the eternal duel between the hunters and the hunted - one of the driving forces of evolution.

12: Life in the Trees | Life On Earth

12: Life in the Trees | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'01''

David Attenborough's now-legendary encounter with young gorillas is featured in this episode as he looks at the history of primates.

13: The Compulsive Communicators | Life On Earth

13: The Compulsive Communicators | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'00''

David Attenborough seeks to explain how we came to dominate life on earth, tracing the African origins of humans to nearly t...

2: Building Bodies | Life On Earth

2: Building Bodies | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 53'36''

Sir David Attenborough presents a revised version of the original wildlife series about the remarkable evolution of life on our planet. Th...

3: The First Forests | Life On Earth

3: The First Forests | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 53'22''

For most of Earth's history there was no life on land. But over 400 million years ago some tiny plants began an invasion from the water,...

4: The Swarming Hordes | Life On Earth

4: The Swarming Hordes | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'22''

David Attenborough looks at the role of a few of the millions of insect species, some of which have developed extremely close relation...

5: Conquest of the Waters | Life On Earth

5: Conquest of the Waters | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'32''

Fish occur in populations of billions and there are over 30,000 species, more than in any other group of backboned animals. The dev...

6: Invasion Of The Land | Life On Earth

6: Invasion Of The Land | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'57''

Some 350 million years ago, evolution reached one of its most crucial stages when fish crawled from the water onto the land and becam...

7: Victors of the Dry Land | Life On Earth

7: Victors of the Dry Land | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 54'44''

David Attenborough looks at the history of reptiles, the first back-boned creatures to solve the problems of living high and dry o...

8: Lords of the Air | Life On Earth

8: Lords of the Air | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 53'45''

The story of life, from the first primitive cells to the plants and animals that live around us. David Attenborough looks at the advantag...

9: The Rise Of The Mammals | Life On Earth

9: The Rise Of The Mammals | Life On Earth

BBC Two | 1979 | 53'43''

Mammals have proved to be one of the most adaptable products of evolution. David Attenborough looks at their evolution from reptil...

More resources about Evolution and Inheritence

1: A Cat's Eye View | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

1: A Cat's Eye View | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 58'28''

Liz Bonnin and a team of experts conduct a groundbreaking scientific study of cats, revealing how cats exper...

3: Cat Talk | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

3: Cat Talk | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 59'11''

Liz Bonnin and a team of experts conduct a groundbreaking scientific study of cats. They reveal the secret language ...

Adaptation of the Arctic Fox | Life In The Snow

Adaptation of the Arctic Fox | Life In The Snow

BBC One | 2016 | 3'27''

An exploration of how the artic fox's coat has adapted to survival in arctic winters.

Adaptation of the Owl | Life In The Snow

Adaptation of the Owl | Life In The Snow

BBC One | 2016 | 2'55''

An exploration of how the great grey owl has adapted to catching it's prey.

Adaptation of the Reindeer | Life In The Snow

Adaptation of the Reindeer | Life In The Snow

BBC One | 2016 | 3'31''

An exploration of how reindeer have adapted to living in freezing climates.

Bone evolution | Secrets of Bones

Bone evolution | Secrets of Bones

BBC Four | 2019 | 5'40''

Large land mammals bone structures are perfectly adapted to help them to survive.

Bouncing toads | Life

Bouncing toads | Life

BBC One | 2009 | 2'26''

A toad deploys its defence mechanism in order to evade a toad eating tarantula.

Canopy dweller | Secrets of Bones

Canopy dweller | Secrets of Bones

BBC Four | 2019 | 2'11''

Gibbons are the acrobats of the primate world, perfectly adapted to life in the trees.

Chemical messages | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

Chemical messages | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 2'37''

Cats leave chemical messages to other cats, which can be picked up with their exceptional sense of smell, whic...

Echolocation | Secrets of Bones

Echolocation | Secrets of Bones

BBC Four | 2019 | 2'56''

Sperm whales have extraordinary sensory capabilities, and use echolocation to hunt and locate their prey.

Finding Food in the snow | Life In The Snow

Finding Food in the snow | Life In The Snow

BBC One | 2016 | 2'38''

How wolverines have adapted to finding and eating food in the snow.

From tabby to tiger | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

From tabby to tiger | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 3'48''

All cats are born with an innate desire to hunt, but most are taught how by their mothers.

Hunting heritage | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

Hunting heritage | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 5'24''

Cats continue to have characteristics inherited from their ancestors.

Meow Meow | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

Meow Meow | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 4'58''

Domesticated cats have evolved to be able to communicate as effectively with humans as with other felines.

Over land and sea | Penguins: Meet the Family

Over land and sea | Penguins: Meet the Family

BBC One | 2021 | 6'45''

Penguins are adapted to survive and thrive both in the sea and on land.

Penguin chicks | Penguins: Meet the Family

Penguin chicks | Penguins: Meet the Family

BBC One | 2021 | 3'33''

Penguin chicks are extraordinarily adapted to survive in harsh environments.

Pentadactyl limb | Secrets of Bones

Pentadactyl limb | Secrets of Bones

BBC Four | 2015 | 4'39''

The pentadactyl limb adaptation, first seen over 300 million years ago, has helped a variety of animals to fly, from dinosaurs to bats.

Sensory adaptations | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

Sensory adaptations | Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment

BBC Two | 2014 | 4'56''

Cats have sensory evolutionary advantages which enable them to be sucessful predators.

Sensory Hub | Secrets of Bones

Sensory Hub | Secrets of Bones

BBC Four | 2019 | 6'39''

While skulls evolved in order to protect the brain, they've since adapted to become a sensory hub.

Smelly lemurs | Life

Smelly lemurs | Life

BBC One | 2009 | 3'17''

Smell is of particular importance to the primates of Madagascar: the lemurs.

More from Sir David Attenborough

4: Freshwater | Planet Earth III

4: 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 de...

The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II

The mystery of the whale shark nursery | Blue Planet II

BBC One | 2017 | 3'08''

Nutrients from the deep provide sustenance for a large gathering of sea life.

Ants vs Cows | Natural World

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.

Young spider monkey needs dad's help | Planet Earth II

Young spider monkey needs dad's help | Planet Earth II

BBC One | 2016 | 2'23''

In the forests of Guatemala a young spider monkey is going exploring. But she gets stuck and needs dad's help to get d...

Lizard Heaters | Life in Cold Blood

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

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...

Cross-dresser | Life

Cross-dresser | Life

BBC One | 2009 | 2'22''

Some male cuttlefish are too small to fight for a mate, so have to come up with a sneaky plan if they are to get their way with the girls. Approaching a...

6: Ice Worlds | Planet Earth

6: Ice Worlds | Planet Earth

BBC One | 2006 | 58'54''

Documentary series which celebrates earth in its natural glory. How the advance and retreat of the ice in the polar regions becomes a real chall...

Our Precious Isles | Wild Isles

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 species ...

David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

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.

4: Desert Worlds | The Green Planet

4: Desert Worlds | The Green Planet

BBC One | 2022 | 58'33''

Desert plants spend decades in suspended animation waiting for rain, or they travel to find it. They survive using weapons, camouflage an...

COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts

COP26 delegates and climate scientists | Climate Change: The Facts

BBC One | 2021 | 3'06''

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

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

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.

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

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.

Leopard seal vs penguin | Seven Worlds, One Planet

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.

The People v Climate Change

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...

Consumption and waste | Extinction: The Facts

Consumption and waste | Extinction: The Facts

BBC One | 2020 | 3'30''

The impact of consumption and waste on biodiversity.

Tait's pups meet the pack… and honey badgers | Dynasties

Tait's pups meet the pack… and honey badgers | Dynasties

BBC One | 2018 | 2'10''

Tait introduces her tiny pups to the rest of the pack as they emerge for the very first time. But the pack is visi...

Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet

Marine predators and scavengers | The Blue Planet

BBC Two | 2017 | 10'13''

The scavengers of the deep ocean rely on predators at the surface to provide their nutrition.

Compilation | Attenborough at 90

Compilation | Attenborough at 90

BBC One | 2016 | 1'26''

A short montage of the fun and amazing moments David Attenborough has shared in his documentaries over a 70-year career.