Magical Appearances

1Virgin Birth

22 minFeb 18, 2014

Sir David Attenborough uses this episode to investigate two animals who are capable of true virgin birth - the production of offspring without the need for sex.

2Armoured Animals

22 minFeb 18, 2014

This episode explores the story of two animals that hide behind seemingly impregnable coat of arms. Can Sir David Attenborough get in behind their armour and reveal their mysteries?

3Life in the Dark

22 minFeb 25, 2014

Sir David Attenborough continues to shine the spotlight on nature's most amazing animals this time looking at the vision in squid and owls. Perhaps not a classic pairing, both owls and squid have incredible adaptations for being able to navigate at night.

4Curious Imposters

22 minFeb 25, 2014

Here we discover that some animals are able to trick others into believing they are something that they are not. The art of deception is a powerful attribute for some.

5Bad Reputations

22 minMar 4, 2014

After initially gaining frightening reputations, it's now known that gorillas and bats are a lot gentler and considerate than their early reputations suggest.

6Shocking Senses

30 minMar 4, 2014

Plants and animals have some curious super senses that enable them to see, hear and feel things that are quite invisible to us.

7Life on Ice

30 minMar 11, 2014

In this episode we explore the remarkable adaptations of two creatures that have evolved to survive the most challenging of conditions and seem to defy the laws of nature.

8Spinners and Weavers

30 minMar 11, 2014

We'll find out how nature is incredibly inventive and has produced two unique mechanisms of natural construction that have fascinated scientists for centuries; weaving in birds and silk.

9Strange Parents

30 minMar 18, 2014

"Strange Parents" asks how we usually recognise animals as either male or female and how each sex normally plays a particular role in their own life cycle. However both hyenas and seahorses completely break the gender rules.

10Magical Appearances

30 minMar 18, 2014Now viewing

"Magical Appearances" explores how swallows magically appear each spring and asks how did complex and beautiful insects like butterflies suddenly arrive in the summer. The discovery of the swallow’s epic migration and the revelation that butterflies could metamorphose into totally different looking adults were scientific stories both cloaked in mystery and controversy.