Ecology

S2E4: The Poles | Spy in the Wild

The Spy Creatures travel to the lands of ice and snow beyond the Arctic and Antarctic circles, observing the hardiest and most charismatic ...

S2E3: The Islands | Spy in the Wild

The spy creatures explore the islands of the southern seas. Some of the most unique animals on earth have evolved in these isolated place...

S2E2: The North | Spy in the Wild

The Spy Creatures travel to the temperate lands north of the tropics, where life is governed by the rhythm of the seasons. Their destinatio...

S2E1: The Tropics | Spy in the Wild

The spy creatures infiltrate a hippo pod, a nursery of red flying foxes and the secret world of pygmy forest elephants.

S1E4: Mischief | Spy in the Wild

Animatronic spy creatures discover that mischief is rife in nature, but there are still rules that govern the animals' lives.

S1E5: Meet the Spies | Spy in the Wild

A behind-the-scenes view of the story behind deploying the Spy Creatures, showing how the concept evolved and became the inspiration f...

S1E3: Friendship | Spy in the Wild

Animatronic spy creatures go undercover to discover how friendships are a vital part of animal societies, helping them survive in a danger...

S1E2: Intelligence | Spy in the Wild

Animatronic spy creatures go undercover to explore the world of animal intelligence and reveal their use of tools, self-medication, cult...

S1E1: Love | Spy in the Wild

Documentary in which animatronic spy creatures infiltrate the animal world to explore their complex emotions.

Life In The Snow

Gordon Buchanan meets the animals who live in nature's winter wonderlands, from the polar bear mother helping her cubs to the owl searching for food.

David Attenborough | The Queen's Platinum Jubilee

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

Yunnan snubnosed monkey | Wild China

High in the mountains of China lives the yunnan snub-nosed monkey.

Rhea war dance | Natural World

Male rheas fight to win a harem of females.

Flying spiders | Life in the Undergrowth

David Attenborough looks at gossamer threads made by baby money spiders. The spiderlings use this gossamer to travel by 'ballooning'.

Big meeting | Elephant Diaries

Jonathan Scott meets Emily, matriarch of the orphan elephant herd.

Platypus: An Underwater Perspective | Natural World

Blind Platypus swims underwater using it's unusual and distinctive bill to locate food.

The Florida Manatee | Natural World

The warm, clear waters of Silver Springs attract one of Florida's most magical residents.

In-flight movie | Natural World

The team attach a 360 degree camera to the eagle to study the movement of the wings.

King of the swingers? | Primates

Gibbons are perfectly at ease in the treetops. Young gibbons have to learn by trial and error to swing with such grace and speed.

Robo Hare Vs Golden Eagle | Natural World

The team use a fake robot-hare so they can study the eagles attack from the view of the prey.

Carbon in the ocean | Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Dr Helen Czerski explains how carbon is incorporated into the ocean and how the increase in carbon intake is impac...

Carbonate silicate weathering cycle | Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Professor Chris Jackson examines how carbon dioxide is brought down from the atmosphere and ends u...

Volcanoes and the carbon cycle | Royal Institution Christmas Lectures

Professor Chris Jackson explains the important role that volcanoes play in the carbon cycle.

2: Civilisations | H2O: The Molecule That Made Us

This episode travels to the Congo, Egypt, China and Mexico to reveal how water changed humanity's footprint on the planet.

1: Pulse | H2O: The Molecule That Made Us

Documentary series that explores the importance of water to human civilisation. How H2O causes deserts to bloom, creates rivers in ...

2: Water | How Earth Made Us

Professor Iain Stewart continues his epic exploration of how the planet has shaped human history. He investigates how water has influenced the r...

The carbon cycle | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J247: B4.1a, B4.1b, B4.1c J250:B4.1a, B4.1b, B4.1c. Description of the carbon cycle.

Decomposition by bacteria | After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

Spec references J247: B4.1a, B4.1b. How bacteria decompose dead animals, including how bacteria communic...

Nutrients from decay support new life | After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

Spec references J247: . Showing how plant is broken down by animals and microorganisms into ...

What happens if fungi doesn't break down wood? | After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

Spec references J247: B4.1b, B4.1c J250: B4.1b, B4.1c. Evolution of trees 300 milli...

The carbon cycle | GCSE Bitesize Revision

Spec references J247: B4.1c J250: B4.1c. Description of the carbon cycle.

The Carbon Cycle | Bellamy Rides Again

Naturalist David Bellamy examines the six elemental cycles vital to life. This episode covers carbon, on whose cycle the earth's futur...

After Life: The Strange Science of Decay

Dr George McGavin examines the fascinating science of decay when a unique experiment involving a rotting kitchen and garden is captu...

Man-made ant nest | Planet Ant: Life Inside the Colony

Take a wander into the wondrous world of ant colonies.

Baby ibex chased by fox | Planet Earth II

Vertiginous slopes keep ibex families safe from predators but they need to descend to flat ground to drink and this brings them in ...

Personal staff | The Trials of Life

Looking at how species form partnerships or associations in the fight for survival.

Fun with snowballs | Snow Babies

Some troops of Japanese macaques have learned how to make snowballs. A young macaque has learned the technique but is not quite sure what to...

Lost in a blizzard | Snow Babies

Emperor penguin chicks have evolved to withstand the cold, but when a blizzard blows up even they feel the effects. Worse still, they have b...

Human impact | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

The impact of human life on marine seabirds is quite apparent as the seas warm. This has encouraged different types of fish ...

Rewilding | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Rewilding and reintroducing species to Scotland is controversial and while there are benefits, it is the people of Scotland who...

Regenerating forests | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

After centuries of neglect, the ancient forests of the Highlands are in need of help to naturally regenerate.

Scottish wild cat | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Due to diluting with domestic cats, the true genes of the Scottish wild cat are scarce. This has lead to a specific bre...

Caring for reindeer | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Highlanders help maintain the reindeer population, who are very docile, bringing in tourism to the local area through...

Public engagement | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Public engagement has been vital in succeeding at conservation as it spreads knowledge and awareness about the plight o...

Conserving ospreys | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Due to egg collectors, the osprey was on the brink extinction until the 1950's when conservation began and they reappe...

Black grouse | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

As the snow clears, male black grouse with wheezing calls and plumped up feathers battle to gain the best ground for courtship.

Northern lights | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

As the Winter solstice approaches, the Northern Lights becomes visible.

Ptarmigans | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

As the Winter snow settles, ptarmigans plumage turns white for camouflage and they stick close to the Scottish skiers as then ...

Lost seal pups | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

When moving around the beach, its easy to become lost as a seal pup. Trying to find mum can be fraught with attacks from o...

Salmon breeding | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

The female digs a small hole in the bottom of the river to lay her eggs, protecting them and preparing them for fertilisa...

Grey seals | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

Grey seal clans are controlled by one male who is in charge of a harem of females when settled on the beach, and none of the y...

Reindeer fight | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

A young reindeer challenges the older male for alpha status.

Hoarding squirrels | Highlands - Scotland's Wild Heart

One red squirrel's hard hoarding work, marking and burying food for winter, is all undone by a rival who follows her a...