Water provides a haven for countless plants and animals, everything from water-loving cats and predatory birds to killer dragonflies and carnivorous foliage. It can be a nursery, a migration stopover, a larder and a home.

Water provides a haven for countless plants and animals, everything from water-loving cats and predatory birds to killer dragonflies and carnivorous foliage.

Wonderful Wetlands

Whales have long been a profound mystery to us. They live in a world so removed from our own that we can barely imagine their lives. Their environment is different, their senses are different, their relationships are different. How might such almost alien creatures see the world?

Whales live in a world so removed from our own that we can barely imagine their lives. Their environment is different, their senses and relationships are different.

Whale Wisdom

Photographer Martin Dohrn has rigged special cameras in order to capture the hectic and complex world of Bristol -- in his backyard! Watch as he slows down the almost imperceptible movements of the insects that populate his garden from fascinating bee species to active spiders and more.

Big World In A Small Garden

Sea Lions are the kings of the coastline, but evolution hasn't prepared them for rising ocean temperatures, depleted hunting grounds… or us. Meet the team responsible for rescuing marine mammals in distress, caring for them, and releasing them back to the wild.

Meet the team responsible for rescuing marine mammals in distress, caring for them, and releasing them back to the wild.

Sea Lion Medics

More beautiful than butterflies, more spectacular fliers than hummingbirds, and with intriguing behavior as complex as mammals or birds. They’ve been flying around for hundreds of millions of years, crossing paths with dinosaurs before we mammals were even a twinkle in the eye of evolution.

More beautiful than butterflies, more spectacular fliers than hummingbirds, and with intriguing behavior as complex as mammals or birds. They’ve been flying around for hu

Dragons & Damsels

The culture of Japan is incredible, from bloom festivals to ultra-modern cities. But there are also more than 130 mammals and 600 bird species dwelling in Japan’s 6,852 islands. This island chain is long enough to span climate zones, providing a huge range of habitat.

The culture of Japan is incredible, from bloom festivals to ultra-modern cities. But there are also more than 130 mammals and 600 bird species dwelling in Japan.

Hidden Japan

Mangroves are one of the most important habitats on Earth, vital to many of the planet’s most extraordinary, wonderful, and endangered species. Everything from shorebirds and sharks to monkeys and manatees relies on mangroves for their survival.

Mangroves are one of the most important habitats on Earth, vital to many of the planet's most extraordinary, wonderful, and endangered species.

The Magic of Mangroves

To many, the wolverine is the stuff of movie superheroes, but they are some of the toughest, strongest, and most mysterious animals around. Following one wild family reveals a few of their closely guarded secrets.

To many, the wolverine is the stuff of movie superheroes, but they are some of the toughest, strongest, and most mysterious animals around.

Wild Wolverine

We like to think we can control everything: changing the course of water, reclaiming land, replanting deserts. But there’s one thing we can’t control: the passing of time. But we can change how we see things; using cameras we can start to see the world in different time frames.

We like to think we can control everything: change the course of water, reclaiming land, replanting deserts. But there's one thing we can't control: the passing of time.

Time Flies

There are few places on the planet more magical than the forest. To spend a day here is nature’s way of offering a spa, a bathe in nature. There is enchantment at every turn.

There are few places on the planet more magical than the forest. To spend a day here is nature's way of offering a spa, a bathe in nature.

The Enchanted Forest

We love our coasts, and so do animals! The corridor of water where the open ocean meets coastal habitats is known as the surf zone. The churning forces of the waves crashing with the land make these some of the most food-rich waters on Earth.

We love our coasts, and so do animals! The corridor of water where the open ocean meets coastal habitats is known as the surf zone.

Coasts: Rolling with the Waves

The endless plains of East Africa is a paradise for lions. The most social of all cats, lions form prides that are unlike any other animals. Together, they’ll hunt, raise their young and defend their territory. The pride welcomes new babies every year, but new children bring new dangers.

The endless plains of East Africa is a paradise for lions. The most social of all cats, lions form prides that are unlike any other animals.

Lions: Africa's Super Power

The real impact of global warming is now being felt in communities around the world. Climate scientists explain what to expect where you live, and what steps might still be taken to reverse the climate crisis.

The real impact of global warming is now being felt in communities around the world.

Climate Crisis

Today, 24-hour forecasts are 95% reliable and 3-day forecasts are 80% reliable. How do scientists predict the weather and, each year, improve their predictions? It's a race against time using the latest technologies.

The Race to Forecast Weather

How did the western United States become a hotspot for unwieldy and devastating forest fires? Learn how the history of forest management and loss of public trust, coupled with climate change, have led to the conditions driving mega-fire nearly year-round.

Learn how the history of forest management and loss of public trust, coupled with climate change, have led to the conditions driving mega-fire nearly year-round.

The West is Burning

The Greenland ice sheet, the last remnant of the Ice Age, is melting at an unprecedented rate. Today, scientists and researchers from all over the world are paying close attention to what could become a global catastrophe.

The Greenland ice sheet, the last remnant of the Ice Age, is melting at an unprecedented rate.

Greenland is Melting

Jungles contain up to 90% of the world’s plant and animal species: flowering plants, trees, birds, fungi, reptiles, fish – their range and beauty is absolutely staggering. It is becoming clear that what affects the rainforest affects us all deeply.

Jungles contain up to 90% of the world’s plant and animal species: flowering plants, trees, birds, fungi, reptiles, fish. Their range and beauty is staggering.

Jungle Guardian

Gorillas live in complex social groups led by a dominant male ‘silverback’. He is intelligent and powerful, fiercely leading his troop through the dangers of the jungle. Gorillas are like us in so many ways, but their existence is under threat.

Gorillas live in complex social groups led by a dominant male ‘silverback’. Gorillas are like us in so many ways, but their existence is under threat.

Gorillas Rumble In The Jungle

The jaguar is the third largest of the big cats, and pound for pound the most powerful. Our jaguar patrols a home range of over one hundred square kilometers in Brazil, deep in the heart of the world's largest tropical rainforest. But human interference means that his life only gets tougher.

The jaguar is the third largest of the big cats, and pound for pound the most powerful. Our jaguar patrols a home range of over one hundred square kilometers in Brazil.

Jaguar: King of the Jungle

Hundreds of millions of people around the world could run out of water soon. Experts are desperately searching for solutions to stave off "Day Zero" when the taps will run dry. But the recent discovery of a massive aquifer hidden beneath the U.S. coastline may offer the greatest hope for humanity.

People around the world could run out of water. But the recent discovery of a massive aquifer hidden beneath the U.S. coastline may offer the greatest hope for humanity.

World Without Water

A team of scientists embarks on a quest to explore the mesopelagic zone or ocean twilight zone which sits beneath the surface layer of the ocean and stretches around the world. This mysterious region just might hold the key to climate change and the planet’s future.

A team of scientists embarks on a quest to explore the mesopelagic zone or ocean twilight zone which sits beneath the surface layer of the ocean.

Ocean Twilight Zone

Cold coasts create bleak and challenging landscapes for all wildlife. Some are found in cold places and some are in hotter environments but engulfed by freezing ocean currents. However, both can reveal surprising riches for wildlife.

Cold coasts create bleak and challenging landscapes for all wildlife. Some found in cold places and some in hotter environments but engulfed by freezing ocean currents.

Icy Coast

Spain is found at the crossroads between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, resulting in diverse landscapes, ancient cultures and magnificent wildlife.

Hidden Spain

Nearly twice the size of the United States, Russia is the biggest country on Earth. From the subtropics to the arctic and the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific; giant lakes, active volcanoes and endless forests.

Twice the size of the US, Russia is the biggest country on Earth. From subtropics to the arctic, the Atlantic to the Pacific; huge lakes, volcanoes and endless forests.

Hidden Russia

Australia is known for its sun-kissed beaches, however the 2,500 miles between the coasts are made up of a patchwork of contrasting landscapes: tropical rainforests, snow-capped mountains, dry woodlands, giant wetlands, tropical reefs, and hostile desert.

Australia is known for its sun-kissed beaches, however the 2,500 miles between the coasts are made up of a patchwork of contrasting landscapes.

Hidden Australia

Water: a substance without which life as we know it wouldn’t exist. We’re even made of it: 60 % of the human body consists of water. Yet our idea of what water actually is, where it came from, how it shapes our planet remains sketchy at best.

Water: a substance without which life as we know it wouldn’t exist. Yet our idea of what water actually remains sketchy at best.

The Essence of Water

Today, banks may be failing — but economic crisis is nothing new. In 1637 Holland, tulip mania resulted in the first big bust in the history of booms.

The Tulip Bubble

To many ears, the name mustelid might sound mysterious, but this family of hunters is probably much more familiar than you think. They’re tiny terrors; ankle-height tigers of the undergrowth. Some are elusive hunters while others stand together and fight.

To many ears, the name mustelid might sound mysterious, but this family of hunters is probably much more familiar than you think.

Meet the Mustelids

Few countries have a more iconic representative in the animal kingdom than Australia and the marsupial. Marsupials are a weird and wonderful mob of animals who carry their young in a pouch. Whether hopping, climbing, or airborne, marsupials are some of the most fascinating creatures.

Marsupials are a wonderful mob of animals who carry their young in a pouch. Whether hopping, climbing, or airborne, marsupials are some of the most fascinating creatures.

Meet the Marsupials

In their vast and unforgiving home of the Namib desert, meerkats rely on their companions to watch their backs. Only together can they find the strength and resources to defeat the odds stacked against them. One young female is forced from her group after a brutal attack.

In their vast and unforgiving home of the Namib desert, meerkats rely on their companions to watch their backs. One female is forced from her group after an attack.

Meet the Meerkats

It is early summer and wild places across the world, whether beaches, jungles, or mountains are preparing for summer school to begin. The arrival of baby animals is imminent, and they’ll have a lot to learn. Some kids spend a long time with mum while others have to figure things out for themselves.

It is early summer and wild places across the world, whether beaches, jungles, or mountains are preparing for summer school to begin.

Wild Summer School

Rainforest, the richest habitat on earth, teeming with millions of dramatic plants and animals. From giant landscape gardeners to a whole family supported by a single leaf, there are surprises at every turn.

Rainforest, the richest habitat, teeming with millions of dramatic plants and animals. From giant landscape gardeners to a whole family supported by a single leaf.

Rainforest Home

With 50 countries and 700 million people, Europe is renowned for its cities and culture. But what about its wilderness and wildlife? Go beyond Europe's urban exterior and explore its vast forests, mountain ranges, and coastlines.

With 50 countries and 700 million people, Europe is renowned for its cities and culture. But what about its wilderness and wildlife?

Bucket List Europe

If Australia makes you think of beaches and BBQs, cricket, and cork hats, you haven’t seen anything yet. Giant deserts, ancient rainforest, tropical coasts, and mystical rock formations. Not to mention, some of the weirdest and most wonderful animals on the planet.

If Australia makes you think of beaches and BBQs, cricket, and cork hats, you haven’t seen anything yet. Giant deserts, ancient rainforest, and tropical coasts.

Bucket List Australia

One of the biggest continents, South America should be up there on any wildlife watcher’s bucket list. From record-breaking mountain ranges to the most massive rainforests, the variety of landscapes supports a seemingly endless diversity of wildlife.

One of the biggest continents, South America should be included on any wildlife watcher's bucket list. Record-breaking mountain ranges to the most massive rainforests.

Bucket List South America

Strap-in for a breathtaking tour of the history and wildlife of Lake Okeechobee, one of the largest freshwater lakes in the United States, and the source of life for South Florida's magnificent Everglades.

Mother Of The Everglades

The staff of South Africa’s Manyoni Private Game Reserve passionately care for some of the world’s most exotic and endangered wild animals. From treating elephant foot infections to testing cheetahs for tuberculosis, they never know what to expect each day.

African Animal Rescue

Shark expert Jim Abernethy conducts stunning, cage-free dives with the ocean’s greatest predators to demonstrate they are not mindless, man-eating monsters.

The Shark Whisperer

Great white sharks are one of the most feared predators on Earth, and yet we know very little about them. Science is now revealing the mysteries of this perfect predator through evolutionary biology.

Great white sharks are one of the most feared predators on Earth, and yet we know very little about them. Science is now revealing the mysteries of this perfect predator.

Shark Family Tree

The sloth bear is the oddest and wildest looking of all bears. With his shaggy fur, long, gummy jaws and cavernous mouth he presents a strange figure shambling across the dry scrub of India. He was made famous as Baloo in The Jungle Book, and yet remains poorly known and rarely seen.

The sloth bear is the oddest and wildest looking of all bears. He was made famous as Baloo in The Jungle Book, and yet remains poorly known and rarely seen.

Sloth Bears: Birth of a Prince

The crocodile is the king of the wetland; a tone of a cold-blooded monster with the most terrifying bite force on Earth. The product of a 100 million year ancestry, the 25 species around today are a testament to the crocodile’s supreme intelligence and adaptability.

King of the wetland. The product of a 100 million year ancestry, the 25 species around today are a testament to the crocodile’s supreme intelligence and adaptability.

Crocodile Kingdom

Follow a family of sperm whales in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Alongside a team of scientists, who have witnessed their most intimate moments over the past 7 years, we will lift the veil on the largest-toothed predator on earth.

Follow a family of sperm whales in the heart of the Indian Ocean. Alongside a team of scientists, we will lift the veil on the largest-toothed predator on earth.

School for Whales

Nothing shouts northern wilderness more than a magnificent moose, the undisputed king of the forest. But moose don’t start out big and burly; for two twins born into a forest glade, a challenging life lies ahead.

Nothing shouts northern wilderness more than a magnificent moose, the undisputed king of the forest.

The Moose Movie

Monkeys are some of the most evolutionarily successful species on the planet, from Japanese snow monkeys to African baboons. Loveable, aggressive, and full of mischief, our distant cousins have much in common with us. Swinging through our primate family tree quickly reveals the diversity.

Loveable, aggressive, and full of mischief, our distant cousins have much in common with us. Swinging through our primate family tree quickly reveals the diversity.

Monkey Mayhem

In 1938, an American psychologist and ethnologist captured 500 macaque monkeys and brought them to a remote and uninhabited Caribbean island. His project was to study a primate population roaming free, in a giant open-air laboratory.

Monkey Island

The Lion, Africa’s ultimate predator. They’re known as the kings of the jungle yet their homeland is an open grassland rather than rainforest. In the African plains prey-rich real estate can be hard to come by, and lions work together to ensure no one claims their territory and usurps their crown.

In the African plains prey-rich real estate can be hard to come by, and lions work together to ensure no one claims their territory and usurps their crown.

Lions Rule

Fjords' majestic and dramatic landscapes are just the tip of the iceberg. Fjords stand witness to the greatest wonders of the animal kingdom. Whether just below the surface, at the depths of the sea floor, or on dry land, the fjords offer an incredible bounty of wildlife.

Fjords' majestic and dramatic landscapes are just the tip of the iceberg. Fjords stand witness to the greatest wonders of the animal kingdom.

Magical Fjords

If you go down to the woods today a wonderful treat awaits! Baby brown bears have a lot to learn about life in the forest, but thankfully all bears know their way around a good picnic. From the tundra of Alaska to the forests of Japan, brown bears can turn their paws to just about any environment.

If you go to the woods today a wonderful treat awaits! From the tundra of Alaska to the forests of Japan, brown bears can turn their paws to just about any environment.

Brown Bears - Teddy Bears Picnic

Owls are remarkable, highly resourceful birds that have carved out a unique way to live. They have colonized terrains from tundra to rainforest and will hunt almost anything.

Owls are remarkable, resourceful birds that have carved out a unique way to live. They have colonized terrains from tundra to rainforest and will hunt almost anything.

Owls: Masters of the Night

Squirrels are among the most widely known and recognized mammals in the world. Some can fly, some can swim, and they live in diverse habitats–from underground to icy wastelands or burning hot deserts.

Squirrels are among the most recognized mammals in the world. Some can fly or swim, and they live in diverse habitats–from underground to icy wastelands or hot deserts.

Going Nuts: Tales from Squirrel World

The ultimate icons of polar wilderness, able to withstand the harshest environments and remain a top predator; the lives of polar bears are nothing short of remarkable!

Polar Bears

We live on an ever-moving planet, and as landscapes are altered, wildlife must march to its rhythm. Driven by instinct, they follow the maps hardwired into their DNA. Some run, some fly, but most swim.

We live on an ever-moving planet, and as landscapes are altered, wildlife must march to its rhythm. Driven by instinct, they follow the maps hardwired into their DNA.

Migrations: The Big Swim

Migration is one of the great phenomena of the natural world. When it’s time to move some take to the skies or the oceans, but the migrants we know best are found in the awe-inspiring herds running across our planet.

Migration is one of the great phenomena of the natural world. Migrants we know best are found in the awe-inspiring herds running across our planet.

Migrations: Herds on the Move

Half of all bird species undertake annual migrations, everything from heavy-bodied swans to delicate hummingbirds. Migration is one of the most remarkable phenomena on the planet, hosts of animals of all shapes and sizes demonstrating incredible feats of endurance.

Half of all bird species undertake annual migrations, everything from heavy-bodied swans to delicate hummingbirds.

Migrations: Frequent Flyers

A cheetah raises her young family on the vast expanse of the Serengeti, facing enormous challenges. Lions are quick to throw their muscle around, and hyenas and jackals attempt to steal anything the cheetah manages to kill. The cubs will have to learn fast if they're going to survive.

A cheetah raises her young family on the vast expanse of the Serengeti, facing enormous challenges, but lions are quick to throw their muscle around.

Cheetah: Beating the Odds

Mountains define some of our most spectacular landscapes, creating a mosaic of dramatic habitats, teeming with incredible wildlife. Mountains are found on every continent on Earth, covering 22% of the planet’s surface.

Mountains define some of our most spectacular landscapes, creating a mosaic of dramatic habitats, teeming with incredible wildlife.

Mountains: Gateways To The Heavens

The ghost cat is one of the most elusive animals roaming the wilderness. Adaptable and resilient, these cats dictate a precarious cycle of life for the creatures who share their home. In the cold, inhospitable mountains above Chile, a single mother raises her three cubs.

The ghost cat is one of the most elusive animals in the wilderness. In the cold, inhospitable mountains above Chile, a single mother raises her three cubs.

Mountain Lion: The Ghost Cat

How do animals experience the world around them? How does what they see impact their place in nature and how has their place in nature impacted what they see? We asked Professor Thomas Cronin to show us how the most interesting and prolific eyes in the animal kingdom work and how they came to be.

How do animals experience the world around them? How does what they see impact their place in nature and how has their place in nature impacted what they see?

What Animals See

Few animals have more complex societies and interactions than elephants. For these slow-growing, long-lived animals, survival is totally dependent on knowledge passed down from family members and from the constant support of the herd. It’s no wonder we find them so endearing.

Few animals have more complex societies and interactions than elephants. For these slow-growing, long-lived animals, survival is dependent on knowledge passed down.

Elephants - Changing Lives

Few things are more wondrous than the gift of flight, but some birds have chosen to give it up – the question is, why? Whether it is to save energy, tap into new food resources, or invest in other skills, they all have their reasons.

Few things are more wondrous than the gift of flight, but some birds have chosen to give it up – the question is, why?

These Birds Were Made For Walking

Wiped off the face of the Earth by humans nearly a century ago, geneticists are now working on resurrecting the enigmatic Tasmanian Tiger.

Resurrecting Tasmanian Tigers

The North Atlantic Right Whale is on the verge of extinction. The leading cause of death and injury to the whales is from ship strikes or entanglement in fishing lines. In this Breakthrough episode, we will hear from the leading experts and biologists who are racing to save this species.

The North Atlantic Right Whale is on the verge of extinction. The leading cause of death and injury to the whales is from ship strikes or entanglement in fishing lines.

Saving the Right Whale

From their unique predatory behaviors to the web masterpieces they weave, science is revealing big breakthroughs about spiders and their super strong and flexible silks.

Super Spider Silk

A dog's sense of smell can do amazing things. Dogs can help humans sniff out all kinds of things that improve our lives, explosives, missing persons, illegal drugs. Now the latest research is revealing that dogs can detect disease, even cancer.

A dog's sense of smell can do amazing things. Dogs can help humans sniff out all kinds of things that improve our lives, explosives, missing persons, illegal drugs.

Secrets of a Dog's Nose

In our hectic world so much seems to pass us by. All around us dramas are playing out, but they often happen so fast that we don’t even see it: blink and you’ll miss it. But when you slow down the action a whole new world is revealed.

In our hectic world so much seems to pass us by. All around us dramas are playing out, but they often happen so fast that we don't even see it.

Slow Down And Enjoy Life

David Attenborough travels to the Jura Mountains in the Swiss Alps, to find out about one of the largest animal societies in the world, where over a billion ants live in peace.

David Attenborough travels to the Jura Mountains in the Swiss Alps, to find out about one of the largest animal societies in the world.

David Attenborough's Ant Mountain

Why do animals produce light of their own? For centuries, we could only marvel at the mystery of bioluminescence. Now we can begin to reveal the amazing truth about these living lights. Sir David Attenborough is our guide, as we venture into a world he describes as "utterly unlike our own".

Why do animals produce light of their own? Sir David Attenborough is our guide, as we venture into a world he describes as "utterly unlike our own".

David Attenborough's Light On Earth

The octopus is as close to an alien being as anything we've seen on Earth. From a feeding frenzy at the bottom of the sea to a mother taking care of thousands of its eggs, travel to the pacific ocean to see them at their best and most weird.

The octopus is as close to an alien as anything we've seen on Earth. From a feeding frenzy at the bottom of the sea to a mother taking care of thousands of its eggs.

Octopus Encounters

Adaptations in the oceans most colorful invertebrates. Nudibranchs, or sea slugs, have a remarkable range of adaptations to survive in the ocean. From weaponizing stinging cells, harvesting the power of the sun, spraying sulfuric acid, and turning their bodies into drift nets.

Adaptations in the oceans most colorful invertebrates. Nudibranchs, or sea slugs, have a remarkable range of adaptations to survive in the ocean.

Super Sea Slugs

The fire ant strikes fear in all those who cross its path, and with good reason: this ant is taking over the world. A colony can contain up to 40 million individuals.It exterminates all other species, confiscates food for its own use, and ferociously defends its territory.

Fire Ant Invasion

Nearly a century after having disappeared from its natural habitat, the German wolf is making a comeback in its native ecosystem. The reason for their return and expansion could be thanks to an unlikely ally… the military.

Wolves and Tanks

The Iberian Lynx, classified as the world’s most endangered cat, was once close to total extinction. Today, a group of scientists and conservationists are battling to repopulate the species, giving hope that these elusive animals may one day make a comeback.