The Research Behind the Documentaries
The vast ocean is home to millions of species that are yet to be discovered, each with several adaptations that are imperative to survival in the big blue. Eight minutes into the fourth episode of season 1 of Blue Planet II, David Attenborough and his colleagues set out to determine what traits the sperm whale... Continue Reading →
Sexual reproduction can be quite a tricky process, involving an array of selective pressures that produce intriguing behaviors across species. Male-male competition is one common form of sexual selection and includes a variety of processes, such as direct combat. For example, look at the male-male competition that occurs within the wild ass populations of the... Continue Reading →
Humpbacks: From Fire to Ice provide viewers a unique look into the reproductive strategies of humpback whales across the Pacific Ocean. Just like birds, these whales use song to attract potential mates. All males near Hawaii sing the same song, and this song starts to vary over time. Sometimes a young male can even tag... Continue Reading →
Why did the limestone feel unappreciated? Because they thought they were being taken for granite! Fortunately, they are appreciated by coral reefs. Coral reefs are large underwater ecosystems that are home to thousands of different underwater species. In fact, they are commonly known as the rainforests of the sea due to their rich diversity. In... Continue Reading →
In the pilot of Blue Planet II, we are introduced to the dramatic scenery of Northern Japan, where life teems beneath the surface. Out of a patch of flora emerges the rather odd looking male Kobudai, a one meter long fish weighing around 15 kilos. His bulbous head and protruding chin give a sort of... Continue Reading →
Although Bengal tigers are at the top of the food chain in the Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, located at the heart of India, they still face a number of serious difficulties, especially for the tigresses who have cubs to raise. In the episode 5 of Dynasties (Season 1), David Attenborough describes the lives of a Bengal... Continue Reading →
From Pole to Pole, Series 1, Episode 1, depicts the impacts of raising young polar bear cubs on hibernation cycles and, consequently, survival. This video focuses on the maternal efforts taken to ensure the offsprings’ survival. Polar bears reproduce sexually, and the father has nothing to do with the mother or offspring after mating. After... Continue Reading →
One evolutionary misconception is, “because evolution is slow, humans cannot influence it.” In Episode 1 of Blue Planet II Season 1, David Attenborough states that over the past 30 years, the amount of ice in the Arctic Ocean over the summer has reduced by 40%. This drastic decrease in ice is due to sudden warming... Continue Reading →
In the “Mammals” episode of the Life series, David Attenborough highlights the importance of the family unit for the evolution of mammals. He includes several examples of social cooperation in mammals: hyenas (at 27:00), meerkats (at 35:00), and elephants (38:00). Towards the end of the episode, a baby elephant slips into mud. The mother struggles... Continue Reading →
In David Attenborough’s documentary episode “Cities” in Season 1 of Planet Earth: II, a number of species are featured to illustrate how they have adapted to the rapid changes posed by urban cities. Urbanization has led to the destruction of natural habitats of many species due to increased human activity, pollution and noise, all of... Continue Reading →
The Evolution of Planet Earth 