Original subtitles

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NARRATOR: WHEN YOU SEE THIS SYMBOL, YOU KNOW YOU'RE

WATCHING TELEVISION THAT'S EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL.

THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

DYLAN: HI THERE, I'M DYLAN DREYER.

WE'RE OFF TO ENCOUNTER SOME WILD, WEIRD, AND WONDERFUL

ANIMALS RIGHT HERE ON EARTH ODYSSEY.

COMING UP, A YOUNG OUTSIDER IS BUCKING TO JOIN THE COOL KIDS.

[DONKEY BRAYING]

AND THIS ENORMOUS OCEAN BIRD IS A FABULOUS FLYER

AND A DEDICATED THIEF.

PLUS, ONE SPECIES OF FISH HAS HAD ENOUGH OF UNDERSEA LIFE,

AT LEAST FOR RIGHT NOW.

AND WHAT'S INSIDE A CAMEL'S HUMP?

OUT OF THE ORDINARY CREATURES ARE UP NEXT ON EARTH ODYSSEY.

[MUSIC]

MANY ANIMALS, PARTICULARLY GRAZERS, ARE HAPPIEST WITH ROOM

TO ROAM IN WIDE OPEN SPACES.

BUT ON THE INDIAN SUBCONTINENT, ONE ANIMAL'S NATURAL TERRITORY

IS SHRINKING.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH SOME ANCIENT MEMBERS OF THE HORSE FAMILY THAT

FIND REFUGE 13,000 FEET ABOVE SEA LEVEL.

[GENTLE MUSIC]

IN ONE OF THE HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS ON EARTH, A HERD OF

REMARKABLE EQUINES ARE SURVIVING IN A POCKET OF THE INDIAN

WILDERNESS.

ONCE WIDESPREAD ON THE CONTINENT, THE INDIAN WILD

DONKEY IS MOSTLY LIMITED TO A REMOTE SALT FLAT.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

IT'S A SANCTUARY ONCE COVERED BY THE ARABIAN SEA.

FOR NINE MONTHS OF THE YEAR, THERE'S NO RAINFALL.

SO THESE WILD DONKEYS HAVE EVOLVED TO SURVIVE ON A DIET OF

GRASSES AND THE TOUGHEST PLANTS.

THIS YOUNG MALE, OR JACK, WAS FORCED OUT OF HIS FAMILY HERD

ONCE HE MATURED.

BUT NOW, THE COMING RAINY SEASON IS TELLING HIM IT'S TIME TO TRY

HIS LUCK AND JOIN ANOTHER HERD.

HIS NOSE NEVER LIES.

A GROUP OF FEMALES IS NEARBY.

BUT THEY WON'T STICK AROUND FOR LONG.

THESE INCREDIBLY FAST EQUINES CAN RUN 40 MILES PER HOUR IF

NEEDED.

HE CATCHES UP WITH THE HERD.

BUT HE'S ENTERING ANOTHER STALLION'S TERRITORY.

THE FEMALES TIME MATING WITH THE MONSOON.

THAT WAY THEY CAN GIVE BIRTH A YEAR LATER WHEN FOOD IS ABUNDANT

IN THE SALT FLATS.

THIS IS HIS CHANCE.

BUT THE RESIDENT MALE HAS RETURNED.

THIS HERD ISN'T BIG ENOUGH FOR BOTH OF THEM.

[TENSE MUSIC]

HE'LL HAVE TO COMPETE FOR A FEMALE'S ATTENTION.

[DONKEY SQUEALING]

FIGHTS CAN BE A BRUTAL AFFAIR.

LUCKILY THEY'RE BOTH YOUNG AND STRONG.

NO PERMANENT HARM IS DONE.

BUT HE'S LOST THIS ROUND, AND HE'LL REMAIN A BACHELOR, ROAMING

THE SALT FLATS ALONE FOR ANOTHER YEAR AT LEAST.

COMING UP ON THE OPEN OCEAN, PIRACY IS A WAY OF LIFE.

HOW THIS BIG BIRD GETS AWAY WITH IT.

PLUS, WE EXPLORE THE STRANGE STORY OF THE MUDSKIPPER.

AND THERE'S SOMETHING IN THE WAY THEY MOVE.

HOW CAMELS EVOLVED TO BEAT THE HEAT WHEN EARTH ODYSSEY RETURNS.

NARRATOR: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

.

- [Narrator] We now return to "The More You Know" on NBC.

[MUSIC]

[ADVENTUROUS MUSIC]

DYLAN: WITH THEIR UNMISTAKABLE SILHOUETTE, IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE

THESE SEABIRDS CRUISING THE WORLD'S OCEANS IN THE TIME OF

THE DINOSAURS.

[MUSIC CONTINUES]

THE FRIGATE BIRD'S UNFORGETTABLE LOOK IS THANKS TO ITS 7 TO 8

FOOT WINGSPAN AND FORKED TAIL.

THESE REMARKABLE FLIERS CAN TRAVEL FOR WEEKS ON END WITHOUT

REST.

BUT TO ACHIEVE SUCH A LIGHTNESS OF BEING, THEY'VE THROWN ANY

EXTRA WEIGHT OVERBOARD.

THEY HAVE MORE AIR IN THEIR BONES THAN ANY OTHER BIRD, WHICH

MEANS THEIR SKELETON IS EVEN LIGHTER THAN THEIR FEATHERS.

THEY HAVE TINY FEET, AND THEY'VE DONE AWAY WITH THEIR OIL GLANDS,

MEANING THESE SEABIRDS ARE NOT WATERPROOF.

IF THEY GET WET, FRIGATE BIRDS CAN BECOME WATERLOGGED AND

DROWN.

IT'S A SERIOUS DRAWBACK WHEN YOUR RESTAURANT IS THE SEA.

BUT FRIGATE BIRDS HAVE FOUND A WAY TO DEAL WITH THIS PROBLEM.

STEAL THE CATCH.

DOWN BELOW, A PACK OF SAILFISH ARE HUNTING SARDINES, CHASING A

SMALL SCHOOL TO THE SURFACE.

IT'S A TRICK THE FRIGATE BIRDS HAVE LEARNED TO EXPLOIT.

A SAILFISH INJURES A SARDINE.

THE FRIGATE BIRD IS READY.

BUT FEEDING FRENZIES ARE HARD TO COME BY.

AND WHEN SURFACE FISH ARE IN SHORT SUPPLY, THE FRIGATES WILL

NEED TO RESORT TO MORE DEVIOUS TACTICS IN ORDER TO LAND A

CATCH.

THE GALAPAGOS ISLAND IS A HAVEN FOR A VARIETY OF NESTING

SEABIRDS.

THEY CAN'T MATCH THE FLYING EFFICIENCY OF THE FRIGATES, BUT

MOST ARE EXCELLENT DIVERS WITH A FULLY WATERPROOF PLUMAGE.

THEY CAN GET WET AND STILL FLY, UNLIKE THE FRIGATE BIRDS.

[ADVENTURE MUSIC]

BUT THESE SEABIRDS CAN'T FISH IN PEACE.

TO TAKE HOME THEIR CATCH, THEY HAVE TO FIGHT OFF MID-AIR

ASSAULTS FROM THE FRIGATE BIRDS.

THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THESE ATTACKS IS TO MAKE THEM

REGURGITATE THEIR LOOT.

[BIRDS SQUAWKING]

THE BIRDS HOLD ON AS LONG AS THEY CAN, BUT THE HARASSMENT

ONLY ENDS WHEN THE FISH ARE SURRENDERED.

[SOFT MUSIC]

THE FRIGATE BIRD COULD EASILY BE MISTAKEN FOR A

HEARTLESS OCEAN TRAVELER.

BUT WHEN IT COMES TO RAISING THEIR OWN CHICKS, THEY ARE THE

AVIAN WORLD'S MOST DEDICATED PARENTS, PROVIDING AN EXTENDED

LEVEL OF CARE THAT'S LONGER THAN ANY OTHER BIRD.

THEY FEED THEIR YOUNG FOR AROUND SEVEN MONTHS AND SPEND MANY MORE

TEACHING THEM HOW TO SURVIVE THE OPEN OCEAN.

SURVIVAL IS FAR FROM GUARANTEED, BUT THOSE CHICKS THAT MAKE IT

GO ON TO SOAR ABOVE THE OCEAN IN AN UNFORGETTABLE WAY.

COMING UP, WE MEET A REAL FISH OUT OF WATER.

AND THESE TALL TRAVELERS HAVE A UNIQUE KIND OF ELEGANCE.

DESERT MAGIC WHEN EARTH ODYSSEY RETURNS.

NARRATOR: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

.

- [Narrator] We now return to "The More You Know" on NBC.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: SOME ANIMALS SEEM LIKE THROWBACKS TO A PREHISTORIC

TIME, LIVING EXAMPLES OF EVOLUTION IN ACTION.

THE MUDSKIPPER IS ONE OF THEM.

THIS FISH IS HAPPY ON LAND AND NOT AT ALL AFRAID TO DEFEND

ITS SQUISHY TERRITORY.

MANGROVES ARE AN INTERTIDAL WONDERLAND AND PERFECT FOR ONE

VERY UNUSUAL CREATURE.

THE MUDSKIPPER.

[MUSIC]

THIS DISTINCTIVE FISH IS LIKE A WINDOW TO EVOLUTION

400 MILLION YEARS AGO.

A HALFWAY STEP BETWEEN THE LIFE IN THE WATER AND ON LAND.

SPECIALLY ADAPTED FINS PROPEL THEM ACROSS THE MUDFLATS.

AS LONG AS THEY STAY WET, MUDSKIPPERS CAN REMAIN OUT OF

THE WATER FOR EXTENDED PERIODS.

THEY CARRY MOISTURE INSIDE THEIR MOUTHS AND ENLARGED GILL SACS,

AND THEY CAN EXTRACT OXYGEN DIRECTLY FROM THEIR DAMP SKIN.

THAT MEANS AS LONG AS MUDSKIPPERS STAY WET, THESE

AMPHIBIOUS FISH CAN EFFECTIVELY BREATHE THROUGH THEIR MOUTHS,

AND THAT'S WHAT MAKES THEM SO SUCCESSFUL ON THESE MUDDY FLATS.

DURING HIGH TIDE, THE MUDSKIPPERS WALLOW IN THE WARM

SHALLOWS.

BUT AS THE WATERS RECEDE, THE TERRITORIAL MALE GETS A GOOD

LOOK AT THE COMPETITION.

[WATER SPLASHING]

AT LOW TIDE, THEY GET BUSY.

EACH HAS A U-SHAPED BURROW, SOME MORE THAN THREE FEET DEEP.

THEY WORK TO KEEP THAT BURROW OPEN, DESPITE THE CONSTANT

INFLUX OF WATER AND SEDIMENT.

IT'S HERE THAT A FEMALE WILL LAY HER EGGS.

THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IS KEEPING INTRUDERS OUT.

[QUIRKY MUSIC]

SOME MUDSKIPPERS BUILD WALLS AROUND THEIR HOMES TO MARK OUT

THE NO-GO ZONE.

[WATER SPLASHING]

AND INVASIONS ARE NOT APPRECIATED.

TEMPERS RAGE WHEN A HOME INVADER REFUSES TO LEAVE.

[PLAYFUL MUSIC]

THE FISH USE THEIR GAPING MOUTHS LIKE SUCKERS, AIMING TO GET A

HOLD.

LUCKILY, THESE FIGHTS ARE MOSTLY JUST A DISPLAY OF POWER AND

DOMINANCE.

A WINNING MALE WATCHES AS HIS CHALLENGER SLINKS AWAY.

MUDSKIPPER DADS WILL GUARD THE EGGS IN THEIR BURROW, WARDING

OFF ANY INTRUDERS UNTIL A NEW GENERATION HATCHES.

COMING UP, WE EXPLORE THE RUINS OF AN ANCIENT CIVILIZATION WITH

A TRUSTY AND VERY TALL COMPANION.

THE CAPABLE, CURIOUS CAMEL WHEN EARTH ODYSSEY RETURNS.

NARRATOR: WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

.

- [Narrator] We now return to "The More You Know" on NBC.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE MIDDLE EAST IS AMONG THE HOTTEST AND DRIEST PLACES

ON THE PLANET.

AFTER A LONG, COLD DESERT NIGHT, COLD-BLOODED ANIMALS NEED TO

RE-ENERGIZE FAST.

THIS LIZARD DOES HIS MORNING SUN-WORSHIPING IN A CANYON WHERE

ORDINARY ROCKS AND STONES HAVE BEEN TRANSFORMED INTO SOMETHING

MAGNIFICENT.

THE AGAMA LIZARD HAS CLAIMED SQUATTER'S RIGHTS IN A LOST

CITY.

PETRA.

FACING EAST, SUNRISE REVEALS THIS ANCIENT CIVILIZATION.

DATING BACK MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS, THIS METROPOLIS OF TOMBS

AND MONUMENTS WAS ONCE THE THRIVING CAPITAL OF THE

NABATAEAN EMPIRE.

AMID THE RUGGED DESERT MOUNTAINS AND CANYONS, IT WAS A DEFENDABLE

CROSSROADS OF TRADE ALONG THE SILK ROAD.

MEANING "ROCK" IN GREEK, PETRA IS HALF-BUILT AND HALF-CARVED

FROM THE MOUNTAIN.

LOST FROM THE WESTERN WORLD, IT WAS ONLY REDISCOVERED BY

EUROPEANS IN THE 19TH CENTURY.

[ADVENTUROUS MUSIC]

TOMBS HIDE ANCIENT SNAKE CARVINGS...

...WHILE MOSAICS DEPICT CREATURES AND SIGNIFY THEIR

RESPECT FOR THE NATURAL WORLD.

BUT WITHOUT HARNESSING THE NATURAL GIFTS OF ONE SPECIAL

ANIMAL, THE NEBATIANS MIGHT HAVE NOT CREATED SUCH A MONUMENTAL

CITY.

WADI RUM WAS AN IMPORTANT ROUTE FOR TRADERS.

THE TRADERS WHO BUILT PETRA OWED THEIR WEALTH TO CONTROLLING THE

OASES OF THIS REGION,

[CAMEL GRUNTS]

AND TO THE CAMELS KNOWN AS SHIPS OF THE DESERT.

TODAY, BEDOUIN TRIBES STILL LIVE AMONG THE MOUNTAINS OF WADI RUM

AND MAINTAIN THIS RELATIONSHIP WITH THE CAMEL.

FOR GENERATIONS, THESE TOWERING DROMEDARIES HAVE BEEN THEIR

SUPPORT AND MEANS OF SURVIVAL HERE.

BY MID-MORNING, THE TEMPERATURE IS ALREADY NEARING 100 DEGREES

FAHRENHEIT.

BUT THE CAMEL COMES WITH ITS OWN PROTECTION.

ITS FUR COAT REFLECTS THE SUN, INSULATING THE CAMEL FROM THE

HEAT.

IT MEANS THEY RARELY SWEAT.

[GENTLE MUSIC]

[CAMEL GRUNTS]

CARRYING MORE THAN 200 POUNDS, GOOD FOOTWEAR IS ESSENTIAL FOR

TRAVEL.

A LARGE LEATHERY PAD WITH TWO TOES AT THE FRONT HELPS MAKE THE

GAIT OF A CAMEL SILENT AND KEEPS IT FROM SINKING INTO THE SAND.

WHILE THICK LEATHERY SKIN ON ITS LEG JOINTS ENABLE IT TO KNEEL ON

THE HOT SAND WHEN IT'S TIME TO REST.

THE SUN SERVES AS THE BEDOUIN'S NATURAL GPS.

SO IT'S TIME TO REST HIS CAMELS AND MAKE A FIRE TO WARD OFF ANY

CREATURES OF THE NIGHT.

MANY ANIMALS DEVELOPED THEIR PECULIAR AND WONDERFUL TRAITS BY

LIVING IN EXTREME ENVIRONMENTS.

WE STILL HAVE SO MANY EXCITING THINGS TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE

NATURAL WORLD.

THANKS FOR WATCHING, I'M DYLAN DREYER.

I HOPE YOU'LL COME ALONG ON OUR NEXT WILD ADVENTURE HERE ON

EARTH ODYSSEY.

[MUSIC]