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These are our planet's
winter wonderlands.
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And the remarkable animals
that call them home.
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I'm Gordon Buchanan
and, as a wildlife cameraman,
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I've visited many of these
unique and special places.
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But the animals that live in places
like this need to be resilient,
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and many of them
are specially adapted
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to make the very most
of these seasonal conditions.
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I'm going to reveal
the extraordinary animals
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that don't just survive, but
positively thrive, in the snow.
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Oh, very, very cute!
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Each has different and surprising
tactics to face winter head-on.
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From the polar bear mother,
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who spends seven months
without food and water
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to give her babies
the best start in life.
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To the fox, who can catch food
it can't even see.
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And a seasonal specialist,
the reindeer,
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and a surprising secret
behind that red nose.
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Just how these animals
make these places their own
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are amongst the most incredible
stories in the natural world.
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I hope you've snuggled
up nice and warm,
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because it's time to meet
the amazing animals
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that spend their life in the snow.
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Each year, up to one third of our
planet is transformed by snow
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into a sparkling world
of wonder and white.
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The animals who live here must
adapt to this dazzling change.
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How they rise to the challenge
of living in the snow
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is what sets each of them apart.
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Our first animal is the world's
largest land carnivore.
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They face the coldest temperatures
the Arctic has to offer.
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But they seem to take it
all in their stride.
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The polar bear.
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Most animals couldn't live
this close to the North Pole.
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But he appears
to be revelling in it.
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In fact, the bears roll in the snow
when they want to cool down.
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But how is it possible
to get too hot in the Arctic?
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The polar bear has
the thickest fur of any bear.
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But, it's the 11 centimetre
fat layer beneath the skin
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that makes all the difference.
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It keeps in the heat
like nothing else.
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It works so well,
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polar bears can swim for mile after
mile in the freezing Arctic Sea.
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To maintain this vital layer,
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they need to eat as much fatty food
as they can find.
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The polar bears' staple diet
is seal.
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But they spend most of their time
under the ice.
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The bear can't afford a drawn-out
game of hide and seek.
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His sense of smell is 100 times
better than ours.
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Able to track a scent
from 20 miles away.
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A bear can smell a seal
through a metre of snow.
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A seal can be nearly 50% blubber.
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He'll catch nearly one a week,
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enough to keep his insulation
in top condition.
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At this time of year, female polar
bears have a very different problem.
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They have their cubs in the
depths of the Arctic winter.
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A polar bear simply can't give birth
out on the Arctic ice -
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with such small, vulnerable babies,
it is way too cold.
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Down to minus 50 Celsius.
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So, for a pregnant mother living
in such a cold and exposed place,
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there's really only one place to be.
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And that is underneath the snow.
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It might sound counterintuitive,
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but we can actually use snow
to keep us warm.
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Within this lump of snow
is trapped air,
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and trapped air makes
a fantastic insulator.
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So, when you're in a snow hole,
or a snow den,
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you could even get cosy.
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And, when a polar bear is
underneath the snow like this,
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the temperature inside can be an
incredible 30 degrees warmer
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than the temperature outside.
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And when she's hidden
in a den like this,
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that's when something
truly remarkable happens.
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Around the turn of the New Year,
across the Arctic,
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under three feet of snow and ice...
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..female polar bears give birth.
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Then in early spring,
they emerge for the first time.
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April in Svalbard.
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Just the right moment
to see this happen.
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Aw!
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Oh, very, very cute!
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Both cubs combined aren't even
as big as the mother's head.
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At three months old,
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this is their very first experience
of the outside world.
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During her time in the den,
she loses half her body weight.
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Her milk is 30% fat,
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so her cubs grow fast.
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Oh...
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Wow.
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Look at that!
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They're already 20 times heavier
than when they were born.
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Just about big enough to take on
their frozen world.
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And it's all down to their mother's
winter hidden beneath the snow.
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Polar bears aren't the only animals
to use this strategy.
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Our very own common dormouse spends
more than half of its life asleep.
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Avoiding the winter altogether.
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And the Arctic ground squirrel
can let its body temperature drop
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to 2.9 degrees below freezing.
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It's the coldest any mammal can get.
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Remarkably, it appears to change
the chemistry of its body
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to stop ice crystals forming.
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Every few weeks, it has to feed,
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so it shivers and shakes
in its sleep
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to raise its temperature
just enough to wake up.
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But bears are the most
impressive hibernators of all.
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Able to survive up to seven months
without food or water.
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There is no doubt about it.
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Taking shelter beneath the snow
is a really good strategy.
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For a baby bear, for the first
few months of its life,
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the den is its world.
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But sooner or later, mother bears
and the cubs do need to emerge.
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And getting the timing right
is absolutely critical.
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It's spring in North America.
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And this young female black bear
has just come out of her den.
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In a normal year, she'd emerge
to greet a brand-new spring.
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But an unexpected cold front
has blown in from the Arctic.
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What's worse, she has
three-month-old twin cubs with her.
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This is her first ever litter.
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She should be keeping them warm.
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Instead, she gets up and leaves.
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After half a year in hibernation,
she's desperate for food.
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Her cubs don't have the three
layers of waterproof fur
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all adults bears grow - they're
defenceless in this weather.
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Their instinctive survival strategy
is to climb a tree.
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But this only works
for avoiding predators.
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Up here, they're even more
exposed to the cold.
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At last, their mum returns.
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But straightaway,
she sets off again.
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Walking in thick snow is almost
impossible on little legs.
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They struggle to keep up.
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Hopefully, Mum has a plan
to keep them warm and safe.
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Overnight, temperatures
drop to minus 12 degrees.
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Dawn. The storm has passed.
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But, what about the cubs?
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Their mother led them
to a sheltered spot
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and kept them warm through the chill
of the night with her own body heat.
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00:13:57,680 --> 00:14:01,560
Experience can make all the
difference to living in the snow.
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It's been a steep learning curve for
this family, but they've made it.
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Being ready and equipped
for the cold is critical.
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As I can show you.
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This is a thermal camera.
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It sees temperature
as different colours.
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Right now, I'm just wearing
a thin top,
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and it should show me losing
body heat in red and white.
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Now, as I stand here,
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I can actually feel the cold
nipping at my exposed skin.
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On the thermal camera
that will show as white hot.
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So it's all about layering up.
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It's about keeping that heat in,
and we do that with insulation.
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For any animal that lives
in a snowy wilderness,
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they've got to be able to take
the cold in their stride.
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And there is one very special animal
that does that better than most.
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The Arctic fox.
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They live further north than any
other member of the dog family.
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And something extraordinary
makes this possible.
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In the warm days of summer,
they look very different.
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Then, every year,
as the winter approaches,
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they undergo
a spellbinding transformation.
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They grow a thick,
snow-white winter coat.
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I'm lucky to be able to see this
up close,
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with a fox that's been
brought up by people.
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Hello, you handsome, handsome boy.
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My word.
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That is the most sumptuous coat
I have ever seen on any animal.
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In fact, Arctic foxes have the
warmest coat of all Arctic mammals.
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In winter, their fur becomes
200% thicker.
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There's a longer, outer layer,
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with hollow hairs that trap air
to increase insulation.
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And a dense undercoat provides
even more warmth.
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An Arctic fox won't
even start feeling the cold
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until it's minus 40 degrees.
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And, they have other clever features
that help them get through winter.
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Their ears are round and tucked into
their deep fur to reduce heat loss.
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And, to prevent frostbite,
their nose is short and stubby.
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And a magnificent tail
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means that when the Arctic weather
is at its worst,
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they can hunker down
and use it as a blanket.
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Being well-dressed for winter
is an obvious advantage.
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But to survive
in a snowy landscape like this,
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you have to be able to exploit every
single opportunity to get food.
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And foxes are experts at that.
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They have incredible senses.
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Particularly their hearing.
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And, despite having
these fairly small ears,
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this fox will be able to detect
its prey with pinpoint accuracy,
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even when it's hidden
underneath the snow.
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But learning how to use this skill
takes time.
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Their preferred food are lemmings,
small, Arctic rodents.
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Many foxes won't make it
through their first year
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and that's mostly
down to a lack of food.
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Their sensitive hearing
means they can detect
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00:18:52,840 --> 00:18:55,440
lemmings scurrying
through tunnels in the snow.
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But the fox also has to judge
the depth of the snow.
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And then...
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..with this dramatic pounce,
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he's trying to punch
right through the snow
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and catch the lemming underneath.
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00:19:23,160 --> 00:19:24,920
It isn't easy.
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But practice makes perfect.
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00:19:47,280 --> 00:19:51,160
The fox's ability to track
down prey using its hearing alone
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is truly amazing.
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00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:59,480
Relying on your hearing in the snow
can be a real challenge.
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Have you ever noticed that
when there's a blanket of snow,
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the world seems a very silent place?
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That is because the snow
literally deadens the sound waves.
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The snow stops the sound from
bouncing and reflecting off things.
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00:20:13,280 --> 00:20:15,040
In my pocket I have a speaker,
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and on this speaker,
I have the sound of a vole.
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To many creatures, voles means food.
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SCRABBLING NOISE
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See, if your dinner relies on you
being able to detect these little
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creatures that are scurrying about,
beneath the grass, beneath the snow,
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you'll see what the challenge is.
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Pretty loud.
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There's the vole.
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I can barely hear it.
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00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,520
It's almost completely gone.
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OK.
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So I'm about a foot and a half
above the speaker,
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and I can just about hear it.
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00:21:04,680 --> 00:21:08,320
Thankfully, I don't rely
on voles for food.
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00:21:10,200 --> 00:21:13,280
But, what if you had to listen out
for this sound
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from high above the snow?
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That's the challenge faced
by the great grey owl.
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But this magnificent bird
pinpoints sound so accurately,
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00:21:27,760 --> 00:21:29,840
it can launch a strike from the air.
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00:21:42,320 --> 00:21:45,440
So, how does it achieve
this incredible feat?
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The disc shaped feathers on its face
collect the sound waves
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and directs them to the ears
on the side of its head.
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It can work out exactly
where the sound is coming from.
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00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:13,280
These skills come into their own
when the owl takes to the wing.
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00:22:20,000 --> 00:22:22,560
Special edging on its feathers
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mean that its flight
is completely silent.
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00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:39,200
Nothing can hear it coming.
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00:22:48,240 --> 00:22:49,920
In the final moments,
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00:22:49,920 --> 00:22:53,160
it brings its talons
into exact alignment
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00:22:53,160 --> 00:22:55,280
with the sound of the prey.
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00:23:14,840 --> 00:23:18,560
Catching a meal
without ever seeing it.
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00:23:18,560 --> 00:23:19,560
Phenomenal.
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00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:24,400
But there is another way to find
a vole under the snow,
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00:23:24,400 --> 00:23:26,840
and that's to go in after it.
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00:23:29,920 --> 00:23:33,560
Although the least weasel is several
times larger than a vole,
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00:23:33,560 --> 00:23:36,800
its body is exactly the same width.
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Once the weasel finds a hole,
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00:23:45,360 --> 00:23:48,680
it's an old-fashioned game
of cat and mouse.
244
00:24:05,680 --> 00:24:08,760
Although it doesn't always
end in getting dinner.
245
00:24:11,560 --> 00:24:13,320
Whatever the outcome,
246
00:24:13,320 --> 00:24:17,000
at least the weasel is small enough
to take shelter beneath the snow,
247
00:24:17,000 --> 00:24:18,840
away from the worst of the weather.
248
00:24:23,720 --> 00:24:27,560
But, what if you aren't able
to get out of the cold?
249
00:24:28,840 --> 00:24:31,920
Well, one animal has some
surprising ways to cope.
250
00:24:44,280 --> 00:24:48,000
Reindeer. There could not be another
animal more closely associated
251
00:24:48,000 --> 00:24:49,600
with snow and Christmas.
252
00:24:55,320 --> 00:24:58,960
And, there could even be some truth
in that famous red nose.
253
00:25:03,160 --> 00:25:07,200
Reindeer live in the forests
and tundra of the far north.
254
00:25:07,200 --> 00:25:10,800
In winter, they dig through the snow
to find food.
255
00:25:13,320 --> 00:25:15,960
Out here, they're breathing in air
256
00:25:15,960 --> 00:25:19,160
at temperatures
down to minus 40 Celsius.
257
00:25:21,960 --> 00:25:24,160
To stop it chilling their lungs,
258
00:25:24,160 --> 00:25:27,280
they pass the air
through chambers in their nose...
259
00:25:29,240 --> 00:25:31,720
..where a network of blood vessels
heat it up.
260
00:25:35,960 --> 00:25:38,280
We can see this
on the thermal camera.
261
00:25:40,440 --> 00:25:45,080
Where they warm the air up,
their noses really are red.
262
00:25:47,480 --> 00:25:49,680
And, when they breathe out,
263
00:25:49,680 --> 00:25:53,040
their noses take the precious
body heat from their breath,
264
00:25:53,040 --> 00:25:54,920
so it isn't lost to the atmosphere.
265
00:26:01,480 --> 00:26:03,880
And it isn't the only thing
266
00:26:03,880 --> 00:26:06,480
that makes
reindeer so well-equipped for snow.
267
00:26:07,920 --> 00:26:13,840
I am a perfect example of an animal
that is not adapted
268
00:26:13,840 --> 00:26:17,480
for walking about
a snowy environment like this.
269
00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:22,240
I'm 12 stone, 12 and a half stone,
270
00:26:22,240 --> 00:26:26,960
and all of my weight
is distributed onto my feet.
271
00:26:26,960 --> 00:26:29,160
Size 12. Big feet for a human,
272
00:26:29,160 --> 00:26:33,280
but not big enough to stop me
from sinking down into the snow.
273
00:26:37,000 --> 00:26:40,640
So, why don't reindeer
have the same issue?
274
00:26:40,640 --> 00:26:45,440
The answer lies in their
specially adapted feet.
275
00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:50,000
Their four toes splay out
to increase their surface area,
276
00:26:50,000 --> 00:26:54,440
stopping them from sinking,
and giving them traction.
277
00:26:57,120 --> 00:27:00,920
This ability is one reason
we domesticated the reindeer.
278
00:27:03,160 --> 00:27:05,200
The Dolgan people of Siberia
279
00:27:05,200 --> 00:27:07,640
use reindeer
for their nomadic lifestyle,
280
00:27:07,640 --> 00:27:11,600
literally moving house every week
or so, with their help.
281
00:27:18,760 --> 00:27:22,240
So clearly, I need to increase
the surface area of my feet.
282
00:27:24,600 --> 00:27:28,800
There we go.
Adapted for walking in the snow.
283
00:27:28,800 --> 00:27:31,520
Big surface area
to stop me sinking through,
284
00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,160
spikes to stop me
slipping on the ice.
285
00:27:41,360 --> 00:27:43,840
That is so much better.
286
00:27:43,840 --> 00:27:46,080
It's easy. I can walk
through the forests,
287
00:27:46,080 --> 00:27:49,480
I'm not sinking down into my waist,
I can go fast,
288
00:27:49,480 --> 00:27:51,480
I can almost go silently.
289
00:27:52,920 --> 00:27:53,960
Like I belong here.
290
00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:02,160
Other animals
also use this approach.
291
00:28:04,960 --> 00:28:09,960
Polar bears have huge paws,
30 centimetres across.
292
00:28:12,040 --> 00:28:16,080
And their pads are covered with
tiny bumps to give extra grip.
293
00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:23,640
And the snowshoe hare has long,
fur-covered feet
294
00:28:23,640 --> 00:28:26,760
to help it move effortlessly
across the snow.
295
00:28:31,440 --> 00:28:34,040
Yet, despite
their special equipment,
296
00:28:34,040 --> 00:28:37,840
even reindeer find sheet ice
a little tricky.
297
00:28:48,000 --> 00:28:52,240
But reindeer have something else
that really sets them apart.
298
00:28:54,280 --> 00:28:55,800
Their eyesight.
299
00:28:58,560 --> 00:29:00,640
When it's bright and sunny
like this,
300
00:29:00,640 --> 00:29:02,280
my eyes struggle to cope
301
00:29:02,280 --> 00:29:06,480
with the amount of UV light
that's coming from the sun,
302
00:29:06,480 --> 00:29:09,240
is bouncing back up off the snow.
303
00:29:09,240 --> 00:29:13,200
But reindeer,
they see things differently.
304
00:29:13,200 --> 00:29:16,000
Not only can they see in colour
like I can,
305
00:29:16,000 --> 00:29:18,440
they can also see in ultraviolet.
306
00:29:20,480 --> 00:29:22,520
And that's vital.
307
00:29:22,520 --> 00:29:25,960
Because some very important things
show up in ultraviolet.
308
00:29:32,120 --> 00:29:35,320
Tracks in the snow show up clearly,
309
00:29:35,320 --> 00:29:37,840
helping reindeer find a path.
310
00:29:43,880 --> 00:29:47,400
They can see the telltale scent
marks of predators in the snow.
311
00:29:50,200 --> 00:29:56,000
And most important of all, a staple
part of their winter diet, lichen,
312
00:29:56,000 --> 00:29:58,040
stands out like a beacon.
313
00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:09,000
So, when deep snow covers
the other plants they eat,
314
00:30:09,000 --> 00:30:11,440
they can hone in
on this extra food source.
315
00:30:15,360 --> 00:30:20,440
No wonder reindeer are so closely
associated with this time of year.
316
00:30:20,440 --> 00:30:24,680
With these specialist skills, they
can get through the deepest winter.
317
00:30:44,040 --> 00:30:46,040
When temperatures plummet,
318
00:30:46,040 --> 00:30:50,720
we start burning more calories,
just to keep warm.
319
00:30:50,720 --> 00:30:53,880
So, finding extra food
can make all the difference.
320
00:30:53,880 --> 00:30:55,760
In fact, it's vital.
321
00:30:55,760 --> 00:30:59,520
But when your larder is frozen
solid, you have to be resourceful.
322
00:31:02,880 --> 00:31:04,080
The robin.
323
00:31:05,280 --> 00:31:07,560
The gardener's colourful companion
324
00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:11,200
relies on soft earth
to pick out worms and grubs.
325
00:31:12,800 --> 00:31:16,840
But a deep frost means the ground
is frozen solid.
326
00:31:18,720 --> 00:31:21,640
If only there
were someone to dig it up.
327
00:31:24,920 --> 00:31:29,960
Deep underground, in total darkness,
where the frost can't reach,
328
00:31:29,960 --> 00:31:31,680
moles are digging their tunnels.
329
00:31:33,400 --> 00:31:36,880
And pushing up fresh,
soft piles of earth.
330
00:31:38,840 --> 00:31:42,400
For the robin redbreast,
this is an opportunity.
331
00:31:55,720 --> 00:31:58,080
It's a real lifeline.
332
00:32:00,360 --> 00:32:03,880
And one that could continue
for the whole winter.
333
00:32:09,280 --> 00:32:11,400
When food is hard to find,
334
00:32:11,400 --> 00:32:14,160
joining forces can help.
335
00:32:20,480 --> 00:32:24,680
And one resourceful animal has
worked out just how to do this.
336
00:32:27,840 --> 00:32:31,760
Wolverines are the largest member
of the weasel family.
337
00:32:40,440 --> 00:32:42,400
In winter, most of their diet
338
00:32:42,400 --> 00:32:45,040
is made up of the animals
that haven't made it through
339
00:32:45,040 --> 00:32:46,680
these testing times.
340
00:32:50,320 --> 00:32:53,200
But, with the world covered by snow,
341
00:32:53,200 --> 00:32:56,360
it could take hours
to find this meal.
342
00:32:56,360 --> 00:33:00,480
This is where the wolverine's
resourcefulness comes in.
343
00:33:00,480 --> 00:33:02,600
It has an airborne spotter.
344
00:33:07,600 --> 00:33:08,840
Ravens.
345
00:33:08,840 --> 00:33:12,840
One of the most intelligent birds
in the world.
346
00:33:12,840 --> 00:33:14,440
Although it's found a moose,
347
00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:17,720
a raven isn't strong enough
to dig it out of the snow.
348
00:33:19,880 --> 00:33:23,360
So it calls out, attracting
the wolverine's attention.
349
00:33:25,080 --> 00:33:28,800
It will even lead
its ally towards the food.
350
00:33:39,280 --> 00:33:42,520
Wolverines are renowned
for their strength.
351
00:33:43,920 --> 00:33:46,760
But the meat is frozen solid.
352
00:33:52,520 --> 00:33:55,680
Fortunately,
there's an answer for that.
353
00:34:00,640 --> 00:34:03,680
The wolverine is one of the
only animals on the planet
354
00:34:03,680 --> 00:34:06,920
whose teeth and jaws
are specifically adapted
355
00:34:06,920 --> 00:34:08,520
for eating frozen food.
356
00:34:09,960 --> 00:34:13,280
They can cut through meat and bone
as hard as concrete.
357
00:34:23,000 --> 00:34:26,080
This is what the raven's
been waiting for.
358
00:34:26,080 --> 00:34:30,240
Newly revealed leftovers
are their reward for finding food.
359
00:34:43,720 --> 00:34:47,000
And there's one final
clever strategy
360
00:34:47,000 --> 00:34:49,160
in case times get really tough.
361
00:34:49,160 --> 00:34:52,160
The wolverine will
bury part of the meal,
362
00:34:52,160 --> 00:34:54,880
storing it away
in the freezer for later.
363
00:34:57,440 --> 00:35:00,320
Two different species
working together like this
364
00:35:00,320 --> 00:35:02,560
is rare in the natural world.
365
00:35:04,200 --> 00:35:07,360
But, when you live in one of
the toughest places on Earth,
366
00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:09,440
it can make sense to work as a team.
367
00:35:11,760 --> 00:35:14,880
Musk ox are Arctic giants.
368
00:35:14,880 --> 00:35:19,280
They live in family groups of
around 20 in the northern tundra,
369
00:35:19,280 --> 00:35:23,040
where they face some of the
planet's most extreme weather.
370
00:35:31,440 --> 00:35:35,240
When it comes to being prepared
for the coldest part of winter,
371
00:35:35,240 --> 00:35:38,120
these musk ox certainly look ready.
372
00:35:38,120 --> 00:35:42,680
That long, thick, shaggy coat
is so efficient,
373
00:35:42,680 --> 00:35:46,640
a musk ox only uses a small amount
of energy to keep warm.
374
00:35:48,480 --> 00:35:50,920
They can even slow down
their metabolism
375
00:35:50,920 --> 00:35:54,800
so that in the winter time
they require less food.
376
00:35:54,800 --> 00:35:57,800
Because finding that food
can be a challenge.
377
00:36:08,400 --> 00:36:12,640
In winter, the snow is covered
with a thick layer of ice,
378
00:36:12,640 --> 00:36:15,120
making it hard
to get to the plants beneath.
379
00:36:18,120 --> 00:36:22,760
So musk ox use their large
front hooves like snow shovels.
380
00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:30,280
And the neighbours are quick
to spot an opportunity.
381
00:36:33,200 --> 00:36:37,960
Ptarmigan, hardy Arctic birds
that also feed on plants,
382
00:36:37,960 --> 00:36:40,840
but can't break through the ice
on their own.
383
00:36:45,880 --> 00:36:48,520
Arctic hares
join the winter feast too.
384
00:36:50,040 --> 00:36:53,240
Soon, the musk ox
have quite an entourage.
385
00:37:00,200 --> 00:37:04,040
But finding food
is just one of their problems.
386
00:37:05,680 --> 00:37:09,720
Protecting their calves
is perhaps the most important.
387
00:37:09,720 --> 00:37:12,960
They're born just before the spring.
388
00:37:15,320 --> 00:37:18,240
Everything is new to this calf.
389
00:37:18,240 --> 00:37:21,280
But the snow
is a particular challenge.
390
00:37:27,400 --> 00:37:29,520
It'll need to get to grips
with it soon.
391
00:37:31,640 --> 00:37:33,120
There are predators here.
392
00:37:36,400 --> 00:37:38,160
Arctic wolves.
393
00:37:38,160 --> 00:37:41,800
They are big, strong,
and live in packs.
394
00:37:47,320 --> 00:37:48,680
The calves are vulnerable.
395
00:37:51,360 --> 00:37:52,840
They must try to keep up.
396
00:38:06,200 --> 00:38:11,440
The musk ox form a defensive ring,
with the calves in the middle.
397
00:38:15,360 --> 00:38:20,480
A wolf would be foolish to mess with
this impenetrable wall of musk ox.
398
00:38:28,320 --> 00:38:30,560
When it comes
to living in the Arctic,
399
00:38:30,560 --> 00:38:33,600
these animals are hard to beat.
400
00:38:33,600 --> 00:38:37,040
LONE WOLF HOWLS
401
00:38:37,040 --> 00:38:39,080
PACK HOWLS
402
00:38:41,720 --> 00:38:45,080
Relying on hunting to get a meal
is always a challenge.
403
00:38:46,800 --> 00:38:51,520
So how do predators like wolves get
through the toughest time of year?
404
00:38:51,520 --> 00:38:56,160
Here in northern Norway, these
wolves are habituated to people.
405
00:39:02,840 --> 00:39:04,880
It's a rare opportunity
406
00:39:04,880 --> 00:39:08,920
to get closer than would ever be
possible with a fully wild pack.
407
00:39:18,280 --> 00:39:19,720
Hello.
408
00:39:27,200 --> 00:39:28,640
Look at the size of the paws.
409
00:39:30,120 --> 00:39:31,960
You are a beaut.
410
00:39:31,960 --> 00:39:35,480
Just stroking this wolf,
411
00:39:35,480 --> 00:39:38,600
you could lose your hand
in its coat.
412
00:39:41,600 --> 00:39:47,080
And when I part the hair you can see
that underneath there's these fine,
413
00:39:47,080 --> 00:39:51,640
very soft hairs that gives
insulation.
414
00:39:51,640 --> 00:39:57,000
And these longer outer hairs
repel the snow and water.
415
00:39:59,360 --> 00:40:01,720
His coat is perfect
for these conditions.
416
00:40:03,560 --> 00:40:05,880
Look how narrow the wolf is,
417
00:40:05,880 --> 00:40:09,600
you look at the wolf face on,
it's got this big head.
418
00:40:09,600 --> 00:40:13,160
But its shoulders are quite narrow,
and that's a physical adaptation
419
00:40:13,160 --> 00:40:16,360
that helps him move around
through deep snow.
420
00:40:18,880 --> 00:40:22,480
So, no matter what physical
characteristics you have,
421
00:40:22,480 --> 00:40:25,360
clever hunting strategy
is essential.
422
00:40:25,360 --> 00:40:28,080
And in these bitterly cold
conditions,
423
00:40:28,080 --> 00:40:29,960
it helps to have friends.
424
00:40:36,320 --> 00:40:39,320
Wolves live in tight-knit
family groups.
425
00:40:40,720 --> 00:40:42,360
There's a strict hierarchy.
426
00:40:43,840 --> 00:40:46,000
Alpha males and females
are in charge.
427
00:40:46,000 --> 00:40:48,880
Every pack member knows their place.
428
00:40:58,040 --> 00:41:01,120
The strong relationships between
the wolves are critical
429
00:41:01,120 --> 00:41:03,080
for getting through hard times.
430
00:41:06,560 --> 00:41:09,800
It's February
in Yellowstone National Park.
431
00:41:19,160 --> 00:41:22,200
At this stage of winter,
the elk are weak.
432
00:41:28,120 --> 00:41:31,640
But elk are several times
the size of a wolf.
433
00:41:35,960 --> 00:41:38,320
They need to work together.
434
00:41:41,520 --> 00:41:44,960
One wolf charges,
making the elk run.
435
00:41:55,920 --> 00:42:00,800
They can identify the weakest animal
by the way it acts and moves.
436
00:42:04,080 --> 00:42:07,080
One wolf cuts the elk away
from the herd.
437
00:42:08,520 --> 00:42:12,000
While two more
come in from the sides.
438
00:42:12,000 --> 00:42:16,640
A tactical manoeuvre that means
the whole family will feed.
439
00:42:18,800 --> 00:42:22,920
HOWLING
440
00:42:27,240 --> 00:42:32,120
A wolf's ability to hunt as a team,
as a pack,
441
00:42:32,120 --> 00:42:35,360
that's really what helps
guarantee its survival.
442
00:42:41,680 --> 00:42:43,080
In Yellowstone,
443
00:42:43,080 --> 00:42:45,960
the wolves have found a way
to get through the harsh winter.
444
00:42:50,200 --> 00:42:53,160
But, for other animals
that live here,
445
00:42:53,160 --> 00:42:55,720
there's another way to survive.
446
00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:08,880
These bison are caught in the grip
447
00:43:08,880 --> 00:43:11,560
of the worst winter
for a generation.
448
00:43:19,240 --> 00:43:21,840
The snow is too deep
to break through.
449
00:43:21,840 --> 00:43:23,960
And they need to eat.
450
00:43:30,560 --> 00:43:33,200
But Yellowstone holds a secret.
451
00:43:36,920 --> 00:43:40,480
This winter wonderland
has a burning heart.
452
00:43:44,080 --> 00:43:45,640
Formed on a giant volcano,
453
00:43:45,640 --> 00:43:48,840
Yellowstone is peppered
with thousands of hot springs
454
00:43:48,840 --> 00:43:50,880
and spectacular spouting geysers.
455
00:43:54,560 --> 00:43:57,560
The bison
can take advantage of this,
456
00:43:57,560 --> 00:43:59,640
but they need to move.
457
00:44:18,400 --> 00:44:21,120
They're taking a big risk.
458
00:44:21,120 --> 00:44:24,720
This journey could use
all their remaining strength.
459
00:44:29,360 --> 00:44:31,480
Some won't make it.
460
00:44:35,040 --> 00:44:37,480
But even as night falls,
461
00:44:37,480 --> 00:44:38,920
the bison push on.
462
00:45:09,520 --> 00:45:12,120
The herd have reached an oasis.
463
00:45:17,440 --> 00:45:20,240
The hot springs warm the air,
464
00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:22,800
and melt the snow.
465
00:45:25,760 --> 00:45:27,360
And there's grass here.
466
00:45:43,680 --> 00:45:47,280
But this paradise
is too good to be true.
467
00:45:50,760 --> 00:45:55,600
Volcanic springs can contain
toxic chemicals like arsenic.
468
00:45:57,240 --> 00:45:59,880
Over time, this could
make the bison ill.
469
00:46:03,160 --> 00:46:06,560
But, right now,
this is the lifeline they need.
470
00:46:10,680 --> 00:46:13,800
Knowing every secret
in the landscape
471
00:46:13,800 --> 00:46:16,720
can make all the difference
to surviving in the snow.
472
00:46:23,040 --> 00:46:27,880
And some animals take using thermal
springs to a whole new level.
473
00:46:35,240 --> 00:46:37,160
In these heated pools,
474
00:46:37,160 --> 00:46:41,280
Japanese macaques take refuge from
the freezing winter temperatures.
475
00:46:44,600 --> 00:46:49,200
The water
is a steamy 41 degrees Celsius.
476
00:46:54,920 --> 00:46:58,000
It's not just
a chance to keep warm, though,
477
00:46:58,000 --> 00:47:01,200
it's also an opportunity
for the group to socialise.
478
00:47:05,160 --> 00:47:07,600
But this spa is exclusive.
479
00:47:09,160 --> 00:47:12,360
Only the elite of macaque society
are permitted entry.
480
00:47:19,520 --> 00:47:24,160
The rest are left on the sidelines
to look for other distractions.
481
00:47:34,800 --> 00:47:37,400
Even the less privileged monkeys
are lucky,
482
00:47:37,400 --> 00:47:40,040
compared to those animals
that live in the coldest
483
00:47:40,040 --> 00:47:41,920
and most extreme place
on the planet.
484
00:47:46,480 --> 00:47:48,720
On the day like this
in the mountains,
485
00:47:48,720 --> 00:47:51,240
the temperature is about
minus 1, minus 2.
486
00:47:51,240 --> 00:47:53,360
On a different day
with a bit of wind chill,
487
00:47:53,360 --> 00:47:56,560
you're talking about
minus 20, minus 30.
488
00:47:56,560 --> 00:47:58,720
But, if you want it colder
than that,
489
00:47:58,720 --> 00:48:01,520
if you want the coldest ever
recorded temperature,
490
00:48:01,520 --> 00:48:03,560
you have to go to Antarctica.
491
00:48:06,240 --> 00:48:09,080
Recorded by satellite in 2010,
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00:48:09,080 --> 00:48:14,800
the temperature hit a mind-blowing
minus 94.7 degrees Celsius.
493
00:48:21,080 --> 00:48:25,320
The average temperature at the
South Pole is minus 50 degrees.
494
00:48:34,280 --> 00:48:38,080
Winds have been known
to reach nearly 200mph.
495
00:48:43,000 --> 00:48:46,400
Much of the land is surrounded
by permanent sea ice.
496
00:48:48,120 --> 00:48:52,160
Which means the animals that live
here have developed some of the most
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00:48:52,160 --> 00:48:55,160
amazing survival strategies
in the natural world.
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00:49:01,680 --> 00:49:04,960
Harsh as it is up top, in the water,
499
00:49:04,960 --> 00:49:09,160
temperatures remain about
minus 2 degrees all year round.
500
00:49:15,480 --> 00:49:17,960
This eerily beautiful world
501
00:49:17,960 --> 00:49:21,360
is where Weddell seals
spend much of their lives.
502
00:49:34,800 --> 00:49:38,840
They live closer to the South Pole
than any other mammal.
503
00:49:41,120 --> 00:49:43,320
Feeding on fish underneath the ice.
504
00:49:50,840 --> 00:49:54,480
Surely this is a potential problem
for an air breathing mammal?
505
00:50:01,880 --> 00:50:04,400
Well, there are some natural holes,
506
00:50:04,400 --> 00:50:07,760
cracks and openings
in the constantly moving sea ice.
507
00:50:12,600 --> 00:50:16,440
And that's where the seals'
remarkable adaptations come in.
508
00:50:19,640 --> 00:50:23,360
They can hold their breath
for over an hour,
509
00:50:23,360 --> 00:50:27,800
swimming far and wide
in search of the next air hole.
510
00:50:36,960 --> 00:50:40,000
They've also developed
a kind of sonar.
511
00:50:43,440 --> 00:50:46,520
Listening to the minute differences
in the echoes
512
00:50:46,520 --> 00:50:50,360
from this peculiar call,
they can detect gaps in the ice.
513
00:50:56,120 --> 00:51:00,080
But, most amazing of all is how they
stop a hole from freezing over
514
00:51:00,080 --> 00:51:02,120
in these sub-zero temperatures.
515
00:51:05,840 --> 00:51:10,240
Weddell seals have large, strong,
and protruding teeth.
516
00:51:13,800 --> 00:51:16,920
They use them to rasp away
at the ice.
517
00:51:22,440 --> 00:51:24,600
It takes extraordinary effort,
518
00:51:24,600 --> 00:51:27,720
but it keeps their precious
breathing holes open.
519
00:51:30,480 --> 00:51:33,800
Going to these lengths
is the only way to survive
520
00:51:33,800 --> 00:51:36,360
in extreme places like this.
521
00:51:45,520 --> 00:51:49,240
Our final group of animals
can face up to the elements
522
00:51:49,240 --> 00:51:51,120
like no other -
523
00:51:51,120 --> 00:51:53,320
the Antarctic penguins.
524
00:52:06,720 --> 00:52:10,000
Under their skin, penguins
have a thick layer of blubber
525
00:52:10,000 --> 00:52:11,400
to keep them warm.
526
00:52:13,840 --> 00:52:16,760
And it gives them
that distinctive rotund shape.
527
00:52:19,640 --> 00:52:23,560
To save time and energy, they take
advantage of the ice to get about.
528
00:52:27,480 --> 00:52:30,360
Even their waddle
is energy efficient.
529
00:52:35,000 --> 00:52:41,040
And, on top of all of this is
their most fortifying of features -
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00:52:41,040 --> 00:52:42,240
feathers.
531
00:52:44,280 --> 00:52:48,080
Penguins may not be able to fly,
but they do have a lot of feathers,
532
00:52:48,080 --> 00:52:51,240
and it's thought that penguins
have more insulating feathers
533
00:52:51,240 --> 00:52:54,880
than any other bird,
and I've got some here.
534
00:52:54,880 --> 00:52:56,480
Just look at them.
535
00:52:56,480 --> 00:52:58,760
These are from an emperor penguin,
536
00:52:58,760 --> 00:53:04,040
a species that has to endure
bitterly cold Antarctic conditions,
537
00:53:04,040 --> 00:53:05,840
and it is a masterpiece.
538
00:53:05,840 --> 00:53:09,960
At the base, it's incredibly
downy and fluffy.
539
00:53:09,960 --> 00:53:14,040
The quill part is stiff,
the end is slick.
540
00:53:14,040 --> 00:53:16,240
This is the waterproof part.
541
00:53:16,240 --> 00:53:19,840
And on the bird,
these feathers interlock.
542
00:53:19,840 --> 00:53:23,240
The outside is waterproof.
543
00:53:23,240 --> 00:53:25,600
It creates a waterproof seal
544
00:53:25,600 --> 00:53:30,240
and underneath is an air void,
full of these downy feathers.
545
00:53:30,240 --> 00:53:34,440
This is an incredibly sophisticated
form of insulation.
546
00:53:37,720 --> 00:53:39,760
When it comes to a life in the snow,
547
00:53:39,760 --> 00:53:44,040
the emperor penguin
really does deserve its name.
548
00:53:44,040 --> 00:53:48,840
They're able to live further south
than any other penguin.
549
00:53:50,320 --> 00:53:51,960
For three months each year,
550
00:53:51,960 --> 00:53:55,600
the males remain out on the ice
whilst their partners go fishing.
551
00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:02,040
They face temperatures of minus 50
552
00:54:02,040 --> 00:54:06,280
and winds that can exceed 100mph,
553
00:54:06,280 --> 00:54:09,840
all to achieve
one extraordinary thing.
554
00:54:14,800 --> 00:54:19,000
In a place with no shelter,
no materials to build a nest,
555
00:54:19,000 --> 00:54:21,840
and where everything
is frozen solid,
556
00:54:21,840 --> 00:54:26,200
he is responsible for
bringing up the next generation.
557
00:54:28,440 --> 00:54:33,600
Balanced on his feet, the closest
part of his body to the ice,
558
00:54:33,600 --> 00:54:37,320
he's protecting
his most precious possession,
559
00:54:37,320 --> 00:54:38,840
an egg.
560
00:54:42,000 --> 00:54:44,600
In a specially adapted pouch,
561
00:54:44,600 --> 00:54:48,080
the egg is kept
at 38 degrees above freezing.
562
00:54:52,600 --> 00:54:56,720
But it's not just about keeping his
egg warm and off the frozen ground.
563
00:54:59,240 --> 00:55:02,240
To survive,
the penguins must stick together.
564
00:55:05,760 --> 00:55:08,360
They move in and out of formation
565
00:55:08,360 --> 00:55:11,160
with the other expectant
fathers to keep warm.
566
00:55:40,440 --> 00:55:42,480
Then, one magical day,
567
00:55:42,480 --> 00:55:47,920
the hard work pays off,
and he receives the ultimate gift.
568
00:55:53,600 --> 00:55:56,160
A brand-new baby penguin...
569
00:56:00,360 --> 00:56:03,600
..to show off proudly when
Mum returns home from fishing.
570
00:56:18,400 --> 00:56:21,160
Whether a parent or a baby,
571
00:56:21,160 --> 00:56:25,480
nature's winter wonderlands
are demanding places to live.
572
00:56:31,200 --> 00:56:33,840
Yet, as we've seen,
573
00:56:33,840 --> 00:56:36,480
our animals are more than up to it.
574
00:56:44,520 --> 00:56:48,520
They've come up with
extraordinary ways to survive,
575
00:56:48,520 --> 00:56:50,680
and even thrive.
576
00:56:57,200 --> 00:57:03,080
For me, these animals are some of
the most impressive on our planet.
577
00:57:03,080 --> 00:57:06,240
They've overcome every challenge
578
00:57:06,240 --> 00:57:11,040
to each lead
a remarkable life in the snow.
48055
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