David Attenborough's Natural Curiosities

Season 2

David Attenborough presents a collection of his favourite natural curiosities found throughout the animal kingdom from armoured giants to crafty insects.

Where to Watch Season 2

10 Episodes

Virgin Birth
E1
Virgin BirthSir David Attenborough uses this episode to investigate two animals who are capable of true virgin birth - the production of offspring without the need for sex.
Armoured Animals
E2
Armoured AnimalsDavis presents two species famous for their body armor, while wondering why it's not more common. First the skin plated rhinoceros, subject of myths until a tame female from colonial India was toured throughout Europe by a Dutch captain. Next the spines-covered hedgehog and his actually very different, not closely related African counterpart, the porcupine.
Life in the Dark
E3
Life in the DarkSir David Attenborough continues to shine the spotlight on nature's most amazing animals this time looking at the vision in squid and owls. Perhaps not a classic pairing, both owls and squid have incredible adaptations for being able to navigate at night.
Curious Imposters
E4
Curious ImpostersSome animals have mastered the art of deception. The cuckoo lays its eggs in the nest of other birds and tricks them into raising its young, while the spooky looking Death's-head hawk-moth deceives hundreds of bees to steal their honey. How do these cheats and imposters get away with it?
Bad Reputations
E5
Bad ReputationsDavid presents two animals who have worse reputations then deserved. First the gorilla, long seen by none or too few Westerners in the flesh, which alas also got its scientific name after discoverer Savage. Next vampire bats, a story of mistaken species identity and mixing up with East Eiropean vampire myths, culminating in Bram Stoker's literature.
Shocking Senses
E6
Shocking SensesDavid presents aquatic animal species who make shockingly efficient use of self-generated electricity. First electric eels, who use such powerful current that it stuns or kills prey or assailants, even grown men. Next various other fish, who also master techniques to use electricity as a sixth sense to locate invisible prey.
Life on Ice
E7
Life on IceDavid presents vertebrate species who cope amazingly with freezing cold. First the emperor penguin, where the males especially brave incredible cold to mate and protect their offspring. Next North American frog species who mastered the art of surviving frost even in ice thanks to a sort of cry-stasis.
Spinners and Weavers
E8
Spinners and WeaversWe'll find out how nature is incredibly inventive and has produced two unique mechanisms of natural construction that have fascinated scientists for centuries; weaving in birds and silk.
Strange Parents
E9
Strange Parents"Strange Parents" asks how we usually recognise animals as either male or female and how each sex normally plays a particular role in their own life cycle. However both hyenas and seahorses completely break the gender rules.
Magical Appearances
E10
Magical Appearances"Magical Appearances" explores how swallows magically appear each spring and asks how did complex and beautiful insects like butterflies suddenly arrive in the summer. The discovery of the swallow’s epic migration and the revelation that butterflies could metamorphose into totally different looking adults were scientific stories both cloaked in mystery and controversy.