Cast away in the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Archipelago straddles the equator—a string of over 120 tropical islands that erupted from the deep ocean floor more than 10 million years ago. Those swept here by storms and currents survived incredible odds to find untouched islands free from competition. These hardy pioneers evolved in remarkable ways in what’s known as nature’s greatest experiment.

Autumn is definitely the best time to look at leaves. They are important to a plant’s life, but also to our life. They take all that carbon dioxide that we breathe out, and create new, clean oxygen for us to breathe in. And amazingly, they are the only living thing that can produce its own food. The Kids in the Garden series encourages environmental stewardship and promotes a healthy lifestyle while the kids (and adults) enjoy discovering the...

In this episode, Chris Packham reveals some of the cleverest animal communicators on the planet. For decades, people have longed to emulate Dr Doolittle and be able to understand what animals are communicating to one another. But their methods often go far beyond the capabilities of our human senses. Now, thanks to dedicated researchers, new science and cutting-edge technology, we're being given a glimpse into the ingenious ways that animals get their...

It was plants that first harnessed light from the sun to create a life-giving atmosphere, transforming a barren rock into the lush world we know today. In this program, geologist Iain Stewart journeys from a spectacular rain forest growing inside a cave to remote African deserts to explore the crucial role of the plant kingdom in the development of life on Earth. He also uncovers the epic battle between the dinosaurs and the planet's tallest trees,...

After the asteroid impact 65 million years ago, Australia was set adrift on a lonely voyage in southern seas. With host Richard Smith at the wheel, NOVA travels this walkabout continent to uncover how it became the strange island it is today. Australia's many unusual creatures, like the kangaroo and the cassowary, tell a tale of isolation, change and resilience. Australia's long history has seen mountains rise and fall, seas come and go, and whole...

Advances in remote and low-light filming technology provide new insight into the secret life of the mysterious small cats. In South Africa, we follow the nocturnal pursuits of the tiny black-footed cat that stakes its claim to the title of the world's deadliest, and in remotest Mongolia we reveal the rarely seen Pallas's cat, at home with her kittens—she hunts by looking like a rock. Finally, in the Karoo of South Africa, we uncover the secret of...

All other life forms except humans exist to propagate themselves and pass on their genes; humans alone work to other ends. In this lecture, Richard Dawkins distinguishes between the result of eons of natural selection which has resulted in, say, a bird's tail, whose purpose is to enable the bird to fly-purpose with a survival value-and deliberate design, like an airplane's tail. Dawkins shows the relationship between the two in explaining the evolution...

Open your students' eyes to the hidden worlds of monerans, protists, and fungi with Microorganisms. After watching this video, they'll be able to explain exactly what a microbe is, identify each general type of microorganism by its characteristics and functions, and describe the hazards and benefits of microbes. Microorganisms may live at the root of the evolutionary tree, but they've been around for billions of years, are found everywhere in nature...

A panoramic look at animals from Africa, especially the giants, such as elephants, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, and ostriches. A comparison of animals that isn't native to Africa, such as bears, with animals that are, such as -- surprise -- penguins. Next, a visit with the birds of Africa. Then, a rundown of the many wild animals with the word "Africa" in their common name. Finally, an examination of the adaptations these animals have to live on the...