All of our pets survived for thousands of years in the wild without any help from us, and this has led them to develop astonishing athletic abilities which we sometimes take for granted. As greyster dogs and endurance champ tortoises. Dog scootering uses one or more dogs to pull a human riding an unmotorized scooter. Greysters are a naturally-athletic breed that can run at 20 miles per hour for five miles while handling these carriages. No other animal can run at this speed, exerting this power, and expending this energy for so long. So, what's their secret? Greysters' stride length can be a staggering 16 feet and they are super efficient at absorbing and using oxygen. Greyster dogs have nearly twice mitochondria inside their cells than humans.
600 miles off the coast of South America in the Pacific Ocean there are 120 tropical islands that erupted from the deep ocean floor more than 10 million years ago. Journey from the lava ramparts to its fiery heart, we'll discover how the Galapagos archipelago became one of the most important areas of biodiversity in the world. Those swept here by storms and currents survived million to one odds to find untouched islands free from competition. These hardy pioneers evolved in remarkable ways in what's known as Nature's Greatest Experiment. Home to bizarre specialists and unexpected giants, the most precious collection of island creatures on Earth.
No two islands in the Galapagos are the same. The imperceptible drift of a continental plate keeps each island biologically isolated. David Attenborough explores this evolutionary crucible, encountering tortoises that weigh up to half a tonne, finches that use tools and lizards that communicate using press-ups; for Darwin, this was all evidence for his theory of evolution. We see the final footage of the world famous tortoise fondly known as Lonesome George, the last survivor of his species. David Attenborough was the last person to have ever filmed with him. Darwin’s famous visit had a downside – the arrival of man. David investigates the impact we’ve had in these islands, as our influence is a double-edged sword. We’ve disrupted the natural balance but he also believes Darwin would be thrilled with the advances we have made in science. We’re also now uncovering evidence that evolution is more rapid than Darwin could ever have imagined. Whatever wonders the Galapagos Islands hold today, they are only a hint of what awaits them in the future.
David Attenborough reveals the surprising truth about the cold-blooded lives of reptiles and amphibians. These animals are as dramatic in combat, as colourful in their communication and as tender in their parental care as any other animals. Join giant courting crocodiles, jousting tortoises and bright red sumo-wrestling frogs in their sophisticated, solar-powered lives.
The world of the armoured creatures is equally fascinating and bizarre. Galapagos giant tortoises solve the problem of making love in a suit of armour; a heated sea turtle orgy leaves females in mortal danger and we witness the explosive arrival of a baby pig-nosed turtle. Giant salt-water crocodiles crowd a flooded river-run to fish for mullet and a caiman leads her brood in a touching trek to a communal crèche.
Natural history series exploring the Galapagos Islands, which lie 1,000 kilometres off the coast of South America. This programme examines the fascinating stages of the islands' lives and how a variety of creatures have found ways to survive, including marine iguanas, sea-going lizards and giant tortoises.
Dog scootering uses one or more dogs to pull a human riding an unmotorized scooter. Greysters are a naturally-athletic breed that can run at 20 miles per hour for five miles while handling these carriages. No other animal can run at this speed, exerting this power, and expending this energy for so long. So, what's their secret? Greysters' stride length can be a staggering 16 feet and they are super efficient at absorbing and using oxygen. Greyster dogs have nearly twice mitochondria inside their cells than humans.