Challenges of Life (12 Oct. 2009)

David Attenborough shows us how some animals have evolved new hunting, mating and parental techniques to help them survive the challenges of life.

Director:

Martha Holmes

Writer:

Paul Spillenger

Stars:

David Attenborough, Doug Allen, David Baillie

Cast

Episode credited cast:
David Attenborough	...	Himself - Narrator (voice)
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Doug Allen	...	Himself (as Doug Allan)
David Baillie	...	Himself
Martha Holmes	...	Herself
Jerome Poncet	...	Himself - Skipper
Jonathan Smith	...	Himself
Oprah Winfrey	...	Herself - Narrator (U.S. Broadcast)

Storyline

A major component of the struggle for life is eating or be eaten. So wildlife uses endless variations on methods to hunt or escape, such as camouflage and mimicry. Social animals use collaboration, not counting almost general parental offspring-care, mainly to surround prey or confuse hunters. The choice and use of environment, such as inaccessible dwelling and temporary hiding places, is often part of this cat and mouse game. So are anatomical mutations allowing unique methods, such as 'flying' fishes.

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Plot Keywords:

diving | cat

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Genres:

Documentary

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Details

Release Date:

12 October 2009 (UK)

Filming Locations:

Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Discovery Channel, Open University, The

Technical Specs

Runtime:

58 min 58 min

Did You Know?

Goofs

In the credits, the show thanks "The City of Kiamath Falls". This is a typo, the Oregon scenes were filmed in Klamath Falls, OR.

User Reviews

The Amazing Sights On Planet Earth

Another high definition nature series? Fine, bring 'em all on.....they are fantastic.

First it was "Planet Earth," then "Wild Pacific" and "Wild Russia," and now this....more spectacular, unbelievable pictures of the creatures who roam our earth, from the tiniest to the biggest.

In this opening episode, about the challenges of staying alive on this planet, were see three hungry cheetahs taking down a big ostrich; a chameleon with long, long, accurate tongue; a baby Ibex in Israel, escaping a wolf thanks to the Ibex's incredible climbing ability on cliffs; fish with wings that fly away from predators; an amazing tiny mother red frog and the lengths she goes to in protecting her babies;

An "octo mom" - the real thing - an octopus who only gives birth once, but to 100,000 eggs; a fly who stretches his eyeballs out to great length to impress females (and it works!); Two hundred hippos in one spot: 199 females and one dominant (ya think?) male!; examples of the intelligence of one group of dolphins and tiny monkeys.....and more.

This was an excellent opening episode and it looks like this series will be the equal of the other outstanding ones mentioned above. See it in HD, if you can - it's really beautiful.