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In Galapagos, this majestic tortoise
is in a bit of discomfort.
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00:00:19,800 --> 00:00:22,760
He's got an itch he can't scratch.
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00:00:24,520 --> 00:00:26,120
The answer?
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00:00:26,120 --> 00:00:28,960
To partner up with a finch.
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00:00:30,400 --> 00:00:34,040
The finch pecks out all those
irritating ticks and grubs.
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00:00:36,920 --> 00:00:39,120
The bird gets a meal,
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00:00:39,120 --> 00:00:41,440
the tortoise gets relief.
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00:00:44,480 --> 00:00:46,080
Everyone's a winner!
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00:00:52,320 --> 00:00:53,920
There are times in life
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when all you need is a little help.
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00:01:00,240 --> 00:01:03,480
It could come from
members of your own family,
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00:01:03,480 --> 00:01:06,120
or from some more unusual allies.
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00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:11,800
Across the natural world,
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00:01:11,800 --> 00:01:14,840
some extraordinary partnerships
between animals
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00:01:14,840 --> 00:01:16,480
are being discovered.
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00:01:19,720 --> 00:01:21,960
Whether it's a lion and a lizard...
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00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:26,840
..or a raven and a wolverine...
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00:01:28,680 --> 00:01:31,000
..no matter where they are
on the food chain,
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00:01:31,000 --> 00:01:34,760
many creatures have learned that
life can be a bit easier
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00:01:34,760 --> 00:01:36,600
when you find a perfect partner.
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00:01:46,200 --> 00:01:49,200
Out in the wild,
survival is paramount,
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00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,920
but even in this
pristine wilderness,
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00:01:51,920 --> 00:01:55,280
just staying clean
is a daily challenge.
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00:01:56,480 --> 00:01:58,400
One way is to enlist some help,
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00:01:58,400 --> 00:02:02,160
but that can depend on whether
there's mutual benefit.
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00:02:19,560 --> 00:02:23,840
Across Africa, hippos are considered
among the most dangerous of animals.
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00:02:30,120 --> 00:02:32,040
They can be unpredictable
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00:02:32,040 --> 00:02:33,400
and highly aggressive.
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00:02:38,840 --> 00:02:42,400
They certainly appear tough enough
to look after themselves.
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00:02:45,960 --> 00:02:50,560
But their impressive hides are prone
to irksome parasites.
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00:02:54,800 --> 00:02:58,240
Unable to pick up a stick
and scratch their own back,
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they've gone into partnership.
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00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,680
Meet the barbel,
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00:03:06,680 --> 00:03:08,720
a hippo's best friend.
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00:03:15,320 --> 00:03:20,000
These graceful goliaths are trailed
by shoals of these loyal fish.
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00:03:21,360 --> 00:03:24,440
They even eat the droppings -
what a bonus!
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00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:41,520
Once in a comfortable spot
the barbels get to work,
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00:03:41,520 --> 00:03:44,960
nibbling away at all the hippo's
unwanted guests.
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00:03:47,320 --> 00:03:49,320
It's a bit like a spa treatment,
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00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:53,080
complete with facial,
full body exfoliation
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00:03:53,080 --> 00:03:56,240
and it seems to lull the hippos
into a kind of trance.
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00:04:04,880 --> 00:04:08,560
Thanks to the food stuck to the
hippos' teeth, the industrious fish
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00:04:08,560 --> 00:04:11,800
are able to feed on
exotic vegetation from the land,
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00:04:11,800 --> 00:04:14,320
which would otherwise
be out of their reach.
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00:04:15,920 --> 00:04:18,080
Timing and agility
are essential here.
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00:04:23,200 --> 00:04:26,200
It's a peculiar pairing,
but it seems to work.
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00:04:28,040 --> 00:04:31,280
The fish get a feast and the hippos
submit quite happily,
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00:04:31,280 --> 00:04:36,000
perhaps making us see these aquatic
curmudgeons in a different light.
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00:04:46,320 --> 00:04:49,280
Many creatures need help
with their personal hygiene.
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00:04:52,040 --> 00:04:53,640
Even in the depths of the sea
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00:04:53,640 --> 00:04:56,320
are fish which could
do with a bit of a once over,
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00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:59,520
but, at times,
finding the right cleaner
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00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:01,440
can require a little more effort.
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00:05:05,200 --> 00:05:06,400
For these jacks,
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00:05:06,400 --> 00:05:09,240
their skin parasites
are more than just annoying.
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00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,040
If not removed,
they can reduce their growth.
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00:05:16,400 --> 00:05:20,680
This specialist cleaner fish,
the wrasse, offers relief.
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00:05:25,280 --> 00:05:29,360
But the brightly coloured wrasse
is recognised by many other fish,
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00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,400
all wanting the same service.
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00:05:32,640 --> 00:05:34,880
It leaves the jacks with a problem
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00:05:34,880 --> 00:05:38,080
as there just aren't enough
cleaner wrasse go around.
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00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:41,960
So the jacks have to find
a more precarious solution.
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00:05:47,640 --> 00:05:52,240
At first glance, it seems an almost
suicidal option.
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00:06:00,040 --> 00:06:03,840
This is a silver tip shark
and could easily eat a jack.
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00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:14,480
But these sharks
have skin like sandpaper
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00:06:14,480 --> 00:06:18,720
and bumping into their flanks
helps scrape off unwanted parasites.
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00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:34,880
Soon swarms of jacks pursue the
sharks, all itching to have a go.
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00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:45,520
A dangerous game,
but perhaps one that's tolerated.
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00:06:50,440 --> 00:06:56,280
Could all this bumping around also
help to exfoliate shark's skin?
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00:06:56,280 --> 00:06:59,760
A case of you scratch my back
and I'll scratch yours.
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00:07:03,520 --> 00:07:06,680
Eventually, though,
the sharks have had enough
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00:07:06,680 --> 00:07:09,800
of being used as
mobile loofahs and they're off.
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00:07:09,800 --> 00:07:12,720
For the jacks,
they must be doubly relieved -
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00:07:12,720 --> 00:07:15,000
to be rid of their itches
and to be alive.
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00:07:20,440 --> 00:07:24,760
On the African savanna, another
animal is about to take a big risk.
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00:07:26,600 --> 00:07:30,680
He's very hungry and he knows where
there is guaranteed food,
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00:07:30,680 --> 00:07:34,120
but catching it will mean
getting up close and personal
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00:07:34,120 --> 00:07:37,160
to one of the
fiercest predators around.
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00:07:44,400 --> 00:07:47,120
After a hearty meal of wildebeest,
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00:07:47,120 --> 00:07:50,760
the lions are doing
their best to take a siesta.
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00:07:50,760 --> 00:07:53,360
But under the scorching hot sun,
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00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:56,440
they are surrounded by
irritating and relentless flies.
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00:08:03,960 --> 00:08:06,840
Step up Mr Lizard,
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00:08:06,840 --> 00:08:10,040
perhaps the
bravest cleaner in the world.
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00:08:18,800 --> 00:08:22,880
Lions do eat lizards, but having
already had a much larger meal,
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00:08:22,880 --> 00:08:25,080
they are unlikely to need dessert.
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00:08:30,520 --> 00:08:34,600
Still, best to be cautious as lions
can be notoriously short-tempered,
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00:08:34,600 --> 00:08:37,080
even if you're doing them a favour.
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00:08:56,880 --> 00:09:00,160
It takes a bit of courage and skill,
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00:09:00,160 --> 00:09:02,000
which not all the lizards possess.
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00:09:10,360 --> 00:09:12,480
Across the world,
their lizard cousins
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00:09:12,480 --> 00:09:15,040
have struck up a
similarly special relationship
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00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:16,880
with another type of lion.
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00:09:18,320 --> 00:09:20,760
The lava lizards of the Galapagos
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00:09:20,760 --> 00:09:23,360
rid their seal lion friends
of flies,
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00:09:23,360 --> 00:09:25,680
which can be ticklish nuisance.
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00:09:25,680 --> 00:09:29,880
Here, the busy cleaners appear a lot
less cautious and much more welcome.
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00:09:37,800 --> 00:09:39,280
Back on the savanna,
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00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:42,720
it seems that as long as the lizards
let the sleeping lions lie,
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00:09:42,720 --> 00:09:45,240
they will be rewarded
with a tasty snack.
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00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:50,520
How appreciative the lions actually
are of their fly-swatting efforts,
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well, who knows?
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00:09:56,400 --> 00:10:00,360
Some animal partnerships go much
further than just cleaning.
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00:10:05,840 --> 00:10:08,080
When you need a bit of home help
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00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:12,200
or you're having a spot of bother
with your neighbours,
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00:10:12,200 --> 00:10:15,360
it can be worth
considering a lodger.
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00:10:27,960 --> 00:10:32,440
In the coral reefs is perhaps one
of nature's oddest couples.
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00:10:34,160 --> 00:10:39,120
This lugubrious goby has been
offered lodging from a shrimp.
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00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:47,680
The shrimp is the perfect homemaker,
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00:10:47,680 --> 00:10:52,760
always cleaning, digging extensions
and carrying out home improvements.
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00:10:55,280 --> 00:10:58,440
Yet its chosen lodger
seems rather lazy,
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00:10:58,440 --> 00:11:02,080
just hanging about and
occasionally getting in the way.
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00:11:20,160 --> 00:11:22,200
Despite first impressions,
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00:11:22,200 --> 00:11:25,880
the goby is, in fact,
crucial to this partnership
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00:11:25,880 --> 00:11:29,160
as the shrimp is almost
entirely blind.
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00:11:34,160 --> 00:11:37,240
The goby, on the other hand,
has excellent eyesight
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00:11:37,240 --> 00:11:39,480
and remains constantly alert.
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00:11:42,760 --> 00:11:45,400
So, when the shrimp is outside,
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00:11:45,400 --> 00:11:48,600
it continuously flicks
one of its antennae over the goby
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00:11:48,600 --> 00:11:51,960
to make sure it's still there
and the coast is clear.
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00:12:05,880 --> 00:12:09,760
The shrimp nips across to collect
food from a little patch of algae
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00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:11,560
that it knows is close to home.
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00:12:23,160 --> 00:12:27,240
However, if the shrimp wanders
too far there can be trouble.
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00:12:28,440 --> 00:12:33,280
That was an anemone it blundered
into and it beats a swift retreat.
125
00:12:38,800 --> 00:12:41,440
For a moment,
it seems a little lost,
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00:12:41,440 --> 00:12:43,560
but the faithful goby finds it
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00:12:43,560 --> 00:12:46,520
and this devoted pair
are soon reunited.
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00:12:49,080 --> 00:12:52,400
This predator spells danger
for both creatures.
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00:12:53,800 --> 00:12:55,840
But the goby gives the signal
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00:12:55,840 --> 00:12:59,920
and both grateful landlord and
lodger retreat safely indoors.
131
00:12:59,920 --> 00:13:03,880
Happy with that - that's the rent
sorted for another month!
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00:13:12,320 --> 00:13:16,560
Sharing a home can lead to living
on top of each other,
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00:13:16,560 --> 00:13:19,920
but for some creatures,
this can be a distinct advantage.
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00:13:22,440 --> 00:13:26,160
One such animal lives in
the rainforests of Latin America.
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00:13:28,480 --> 00:13:31,800
The famously slow-moving sloth.
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00:13:41,720 --> 00:13:43,280
Thanks to its damp fur,
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00:13:43,280 --> 00:13:47,640
it is able to employ the help of a
rarely celebrated organism - algae.
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00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:53,560
It helps the sloth blend in
to its green surroundings,
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00:13:53,560 --> 00:13:56,600
providing it with
a sort of living camouflage.
140
00:14:04,920 --> 00:14:07,040
And the partnerships
don't end there.
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00:14:07,040 --> 00:14:10,400
The nutritious algae
attracts its own admirers -
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00:14:10,400 --> 00:14:13,640
insects like these moths,
who like to eat it.
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00:14:19,960 --> 00:14:22,560
But the moths are welcome lodgers
for the sloth
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00:14:22,560 --> 00:14:26,440
as they too bring their own
rather surprising benefits.
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00:14:33,040 --> 00:14:36,680
Once a week, their sloth landlord
sets off to the ground
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00:14:36,680 --> 00:14:39,480
at a pace a snail
would consider reckless.
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00:14:43,080 --> 00:14:46,480
He does this for his
weekly call of nature.
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00:14:50,600 --> 00:14:54,280
The female moths take this
opportunity to jump off
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00:14:54,280 --> 00:14:56,720
and lay their eggs
in the steaming dung.
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00:15:03,000 --> 00:15:06,040
Some hop back on
to their furry friend,
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00:15:06,040 --> 00:15:08,680
bringing with them a lovely
bit of sloth dung.
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00:15:09,920 --> 00:15:13,400
It's the perfect fertiliser
for the growing algae,
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00:15:13,400 --> 00:15:16,160
helping to keep the sloth the
right shade of green
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and hidden from predators.
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00:15:18,520 --> 00:15:19,840
Perfect!
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00:15:32,680 --> 00:15:36,520
Some animals go to quite extreme
depths in their quest
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00:15:36,520 --> 00:15:38,880
to find a secure place to lodge.
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00:15:41,040 --> 00:15:44,640
A pearl fish is looking for
exactly that - a hidey hole.
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00:15:47,680 --> 00:15:51,960
This cumbersome oddball
could be the answer.
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00:15:54,280 --> 00:15:57,240
A rather strange looking lump
known as a sea cucumber.
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00:15:59,880 --> 00:16:03,040
It spends its days sucking sand in
through one end of its body,
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00:16:03,040 --> 00:16:05,360
extracting
anything nutritious from it
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00:16:05,360 --> 00:16:08,960
and passing what it doesn't want
out the other end.
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00:16:11,480 --> 00:16:13,720
It is the ultimate beachcomber.
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00:16:13,720 --> 00:16:19,200
OK, it's revolting, but could
this walking colon be a safe haven?
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00:16:23,840 --> 00:16:26,520
It seems it could and, strangely,
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00:16:26,520 --> 00:16:29,840
it prefers the 'back door'
to the front.
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00:16:33,720 --> 00:16:35,240
Any port in a storm...!
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00:16:42,040 --> 00:16:44,640
But the pearl fish is,
in fact, very clever.
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00:16:44,640 --> 00:16:47,520
Sea cucumbers are repulsive
to most predators,
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00:16:47,520 --> 00:16:50,360
meaning the crafty
lodger is safe inside.
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00:16:53,720 --> 00:16:57,360
In fact, it is such a comfortable
pad that, after settling in,
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00:16:57,360 --> 00:17:00,320
it is happy to share its home
with friends and family.
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00:17:11,600 --> 00:17:14,040
Now, time for a breath of fresh air!
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00:17:17,960 --> 00:17:19,320
Whether invited or not,
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00:17:19,320 --> 00:17:22,960
partnerships can involve
all kinds of diverse creatures.
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00:17:25,800 --> 00:17:30,480
Some of these creatures pair up
not with animals, but with plants.
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00:17:43,040 --> 00:17:47,640
In Madagascar, the baobab tree
is regularly pollinated
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by the giant hawk moth.
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00:18:02,360 --> 00:18:05,480
But the tree also plays host
to another creature,
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00:18:05,480 --> 00:18:07,240
one which will kill a moth.
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00:18:13,560 --> 00:18:14,960
The mouse lemur,
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00:18:14,960 --> 00:18:17,720
one of the world's smallest
primates.
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00:18:26,920 --> 00:18:30,120
He drinks the sweet nectar
from the tree's flowers.
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00:18:31,800 --> 00:18:34,480
It's packed with sugary energy.
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00:18:45,440 --> 00:18:49,200
But he particularly
enjoys a meal of moth.
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00:19:03,960 --> 00:19:07,160
It seems the lemur
is doing the baobab no favours
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00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:11,000
by killing its moth pollinator
but, without knowing it,
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00:19:11,000 --> 00:19:14,280
this mini assassin is actually
performing the same role.
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00:19:15,680 --> 00:19:19,280
As he wrestles with the moth,
his fur becomes dusted with pollen.
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00:19:25,440 --> 00:19:28,120
Later, as he moves from
tree to tree,
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00:19:28,120 --> 00:19:32,760
this will spread across the forest,
helping other baobabs to grow.
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00:19:34,480 --> 00:19:39,960
So, in this relationship, the baobab
is surprisingly the ultimate winner.
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00:19:54,160 --> 00:19:56,120
On the other side of the world
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00:19:56,120 --> 00:19:58,640
is a partnership
which has knock-on benefits
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00:19:58,640 --> 00:20:00,800
for the most unlikely
of candidates.
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00:20:04,040 --> 00:20:06,080
This Sundarbans in southern Asia
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00:20:06,080 --> 00:20:09,520
are the largest tidal
mangrove forests in the world.
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00:20:13,200 --> 00:20:15,200
And a tiger reserve.
200
00:20:28,600 --> 00:20:32,280
Mangroves are the only trees that
can exist in salty water.
201
00:20:34,280 --> 00:20:38,360
They have roots which stick up like
snorkels sucking in oxygen
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00:20:38,360 --> 00:20:41,200
as they can't get enough
out of the thick mud.
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00:20:43,040 --> 00:20:46,080
But mangroves need more than this
to thrive.
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00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:51,160
Luckily, they have
found an ideal partner.
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00:20:56,040 --> 00:20:59,320
One which can only be seen
at low tide.
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00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:04,200
Millions of crabs.
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00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:10,840
Leaf-eating crabs and
fiddler crabs.
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00:21:10,840 --> 00:21:13,120
They make their homes here.
209
00:21:13,120 --> 00:21:15,320
It's an ideal place for them
210
00:21:15,320 --> 00:21:18,200
to create their labyrinth of
underground tunnels.
211
00:21:23,280 --> 00:21:26,200
The tunnels are
vital for the mangroves.
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00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,360
At low tide they channel air
through the mud.
213
00:21:33,920 --> 00:21:37,080
Also, crabs help nourish the trees.
214
00:21:38,680 --> 00:21:41,560
The fiddlers recycle
the bacteria-rich mud,
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00:21:41,560 --> 00:21:44,160
releasing nutrients for the roots.
216
00:21:54,120 --> 00:21:56,000
While, as their name suggests,
217
00:21:56,000 --> 00:22:00,120
the leaf-eaters gather up
and digest the mangroves' leaves,
218
00:22:00,120 --> 00:22:02,480
producing their own
natural fertiliser.
219
00:22:06,720 --> 00:22:10,400
The crabs' burrows even help control
the saltiness of the swamp.
220
00:22:10,400 --> 00:22:14,680
When mangroves take up water,
they leave the salt behind.
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00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:18,560
As the tide comes in, fresh seawater
floods the crabs' burrows
222
00:22:18,560 --> 00:22:21,160
and dilutes the salty remains.
223
00:22:28,280 --> 00:22:31,920
Less toxic mud allows
the mangroves to flourish.
224
00:22:37,960 --> 00:22:42,400
Without their crab partners,
the Sundarbans just couldn't survive
225
00:22:42,400 --> 00:22:44,000
and without the Sundarbans,
226
00:22:44,000 --> 00:22:46,120
the tigers here
would also be in trouble.
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00:22:47,960 --> 00:22:51,640
Crabs helping to secure
the future of a tiger?
228
00:22:51,640 --> 00:22:56,280
You have to admire these
sideways eco-warriors.
229
00:23:05,840 --> 00:23:09,080
Protection is paramount
in the endless battleground
230
00:23:09,080 --> 00:23:10,720
that is the natural world.
231
00:23:12,360 --> 00:23:15,400
It could be a crucial warning call
in return for titbits...
232
00:23:15,400 --> 00:23:18,320
BIRD CHEEPS
233
00:23:18,320 --> 00:23:22,280
..but it always pays
to have someone to watch your back.
234
00:23:25,440 --> 00:23:28,680
Surprisingly, though,
this protective friend
235
00:23:28,680 --> 00:23:32,160
can sometimes be a creature you'd
expect to be your archenemy.
236
00:23:54,760 --> 00:23:59,320
Normally, this venomous tarantula
would eat a small toad,
237
00:23:59,320 --> 00:24:02,520
but here it is welcomed into the
protection of its lair.
238
00:24:05,960 --> 00:24:08,880
It's not a personal thing,
it's purely business.
239
00:24:08,880 --> 00:24:10,840
The toad offers a
useful service.
240
00:24:12,760 --> 00:24:14,400
Pest control.
241
00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:19,680
The spider's egg sacs
are infested with insects,
242
00:24:19,680 --> 00:24:21,520
which the toad soon makes a meal of.
243
00:24:41,120 --> 00:24:43,360
In return for
getting rid of the ants,
244
00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:46,120
the tarantula offers very
effective security.
245
00:24:48,480 --> 00:24:50,920
Screech owls
enjoy a dinner of toad,
246
00:24:50,920 --> 00:24:53,480
which would normally
be easy pickings.
247
00:24:55,960 --> 00:25:00,400
But the spider unleashes
a barrage of barbed hairs.
248
00:25:03,240 --> 00:25:07,720
Like tiny vicious arrows, they soon
discourage the unwelcome intruder.
249
00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:33,400
The coral reef,
thriving metropolis of the ocean.
250
00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:35,560
With such a rich
and diverse habitat,
251
00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:39,040
no wonder so many remarkable
partnerships have evolved.
252
00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:45,840
These small, defenceless clownfish
253
00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:48,720
seem to have picked
a tough place to live,
254
00:25:48,720 --> 00:25:51,600
amongst the tentacles
of a sea anemone.
255
00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:56,880
The anemone is armed with
paralysing stings -
256
00:25:56,880 --> 00:25:58,640
stings that can kill a fish.
257
00:26:01,320 --> 00:26:02,760
To avoid this fate,
258
00:26:02,760 --> 00:26:07,040
the clownfish dance deftly
among the stinging tentacles.
259
00:26:13,520 --> 00:26:15,360
They produce a special mucus
260
00:26:15,360 --> 00:26:18,200
which, ultimately,
stops the stings from firing.
261
00:26:23,920 --> 00:26:27,160
Very quickly,
the clownfish are immune.
262
00:26:31,480 --> 00:26:34,840
They've effectively found
themselves a security partner
263
00:26:34,840 --> 00:26:38,920
and turned the anemone
into their very own fortress.
264
00:26:38,920 --> 00:26:41,760
It's an ideal one
for them to lay their eggs.
265
00:26:46,320 --> 00:26:50,120
In return, the constant movement
of the fish
266
00:26:50,120 --> 00:26:54,960
helps oxygenate the sea anemone -
a perfect reciprocal arrangement.
267
00:27:06,560 --> 00:27:08,120
Keeping safe and secure
268
00:27:08,120 --> 00:27:11,400
can be all about choosing
the right kind of neighbour.
269
00:27:17,920 --> 00:27:19,360
These burrowing owls
270
00:27:19,360 --> 00:27:22,920
have chosen to move into
a large estate in North America
271
00:27:22,920 --> 00:27:24,640
known as 'Dog Town'.
272
00:27:27,120 --> 00:27:30,360
It's a huge area
of underground tunnels
273
00:27:30,360 --> 00:27:33,560
built by a community
of prairie dogs.
274
00:27:43,120 --> 00:27:46,800
The owls have chosen
this rather rough-looking area
275
00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:50,280
as it has a well organised
neighbourhood watch scheme.
276
00:27:58,160 --> 00:28:03,440
The prairie dogs provide a free and
very sophisticated security system.
277
00:28:06,760 --> 00:28:11,120
Members of their community take it
in turns to watch out for predators.
278
00:28:14,000 --> 00:28:18,280
The lookout guard has different
calls for different threats,
279
00:28:18,280 --> 00:28:20,880
threats to both
the dogs and the owls.
280
00:28:24,520 --> 00:28:27,280
PRAIRIE DOG CHIRPS
281
00:28:39,920 --> 00:28:42,360
PRAIRIE DOG CHIRPS
282
00:28:46,520 --> 00:28:48,920
CHIRPING
283
00:28:52,800 --> 00:28:54,880
The wise owl may be a myth,
284
00:28:54,880 --> 00:28:59,320
but these earthbound head-turners
are a savvy bunch.
285
00:29:11,560 --> 00:29:15,120
At times, survival can depend
on taking opportunities
286
00:29:15,120 --> 00:29:16,640
when they come along.
287
00:29:16,640 --> 00:29:21,040
Some creatures are better
at exploiting them than others
288
00:29:21,040 --> 00:29:24,680
and often it's a case of how sneaky
you're prepared to be.
289
00:29:43,960 --> 00:29:47,880
These capuchins live in one of
Brazil's most extreme landscapes,
290
00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:50,160
where food is hard to come by.
291
00:29:55,520 --> 00:29:58,320
So they have had to have learn
to be very resourceful.
292
00:30:06,600 --> 00:30:08,760
They have spotted a
yellow rat snake,
293
00:30:08,760 --> 00:30:12,800
a creature which can be dangerous
for young capuchins.
294
00:30:20,560 --> 00:30:22,560
The capuchins all work together,
295
00:30:22,560 --> 00:30:26,200
trying to make as much noise
as possible to scare off the snake.
296
00:30:44,120 --> 00:30:48,040
Then they realise the snake
offers an opportunity.
297
00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:51,920
It has found a Brazilian rodent
called a punare -
298
00:30:51,920 --> 00:30:54,560
a potential meal for both
snakes and capuchins.
299
00:31:02,600 --> 00:31:04,640
The punare has nowhere to hide.
300
00:31:19,000 --> 00:31:23,280
Very soon, the silent hunting
technique of the snake has paid off.
301
00:31:31,000 --> 00:31:35,280
Then, one of the capuchins
attempts something rather risky.
302
00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:40,680
With hundreds of
backwards-facing teeth,
303
00:31:40,680 --> 00:31:43,440
the snake is not going to
give up prey easily.
304
00:31:51,920 --> 00:31:53,960
It was worth a go.
305
00:31:57,840 --> 00:32:00,040
But the snake
has created an opportunity
306
00:32:00,040 --> 00:32:01,880
for the quick-witted capuchins.
307
00:32:07,640 --> 00:32:10,200
There's more than one rodent
up for grabs here.
308
00:32:16,680 --> 00:32:19,560
The most experienced male
takes the lead.
309
00:32:26,520 --> 00:32:27,960
Got it!
310
00:32:43,200 --> 00:32:45,240
With a little help from the snake,
311
00:32:45,240 --> 00:32:48,360
the capuchins have cleverly
scrounged themselves a meal.
312
00:32:59,680 --> 00:33:03,560
Sneakily scrounging from
other animals is a smart move
313
00:33:03,560 --> 00:33:06,400
and some creatures
have become expert at it.
314
00:33:14,720 --> 00:33:18,840
Cowbirds have latched on to a much
larger animal than themselves.
315
00:33:23,320 --> 00:33:26,160
They do so because
the movement the bison make
316
00:33:26,160 --> 00:33:29,560
stir up hundreds of insects,
which the birds eat.
317
00:33:31,680 --> 00:33:35,120
A good roll in the dust
throws up a decent meal,
318
00:33:35,120 --> 00:33:38,800
but the tiny birds also
know when to keep out of the way.
319
00:33:43,040 --> 00:33:47,440
Just as well, as the males can get
quite excited and aggressive.
320
00:33:57,280 --> 00:34:00,920
Living close by and scrounging from
these big beasts
321
00:34:00,920 --> 00:34:02,960
helps guarantee the birds' survival.
322
00:34:09,600 --> 00:34:12,520
When the bison migrate,
the birds will follow.
323
00:34:16,400 --> 00:34:20,200
These little birds even lay their
eggs in other birds' nests,
324
00:34:20,200 --> 00:34:23,080
so their chicks are unwittingly
brought up by others.
325
00:34:25,920 --> 00:34:30,400
They do this so they are not left
behind when the bison move on.
326
00:34:30,400 --> 00:34:32,000
You have got to hand it to them,
327
00:34:32,000 --> 00:34:35,280
these birds are more than just a bit
sneaky, they're ruthless.
328
00:34:51,400 --> 00:34:56,080
In the icy forests of the Arctic,
are two very cunning scroungers
329
00:34:56,080 --> 00:34:59,240
that have, surprisingly,
learned to work together.
330
00:35:07,160 --> 00:35:10,080
RAVEN CALLS OUT
331
00:35:13,680 --> 00:35:18,800
In this bitterly cold landscape,
a raven calls out.
332
00:35:18,800 --> 00:35:21,640
RAVEN CALLS OUT
333
00:35:21,640 --> 00:35:27,600
It's found its dinner, but it needs
another animal's help to enjoy it.
334
00:35:27,600 --> 00:35:29,280
The wolverine.
335
00:35:40,080 --> 00:35:44,520
The raven, a highly intelligent
bird, directs the ravenous wolverine
336
00:35:44,520 --> 00:35:46,960
to the moose carcass it's found.
337
00:36:01,120 --> 00:36:06,640
The moose is frozen solid - too hard
for the raven to break through.
338
00:36:14,960 --> 00:36:17,080
The wolverine's powerful jaws
339
00:36:17,080 --> 00:36:21,720
make short work of this frozen ready
meal, exposing the softer middle.
340
00:36:27,160 --> 00:36:32,040
The raven will have to wait until
its partner has had its fill.
341
00:36:40,080 --> 00:36:43,920
But it knows that patience
will eventually pay off.
342
00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:06,400
The wolverine drags a chunk of
the carcass off into the forest.
343
00:37:13,880 --> 00:37:16,400
But there are plenty of scraps left
for the raven.
344
00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:22,000
And its friends.
345
00:37:43,360 --> 00:37:48,440
What the wolverine can't manage
it will bury for a later date.
346
00:37:49,840 --> 00:37:53,480
It's always useful to have extra
food in the freezer!
347
00:38:05,000 --> 00:38:07,120
In the struggle for survival,
348
00:38:07,120 --> 00:38:10,280
cooperation with a
completely different species
349
00:38:10,280 --> 00:38:13,200
can be a way of
gaining a crucial advantage,
350
00:38:13,200 --> 00:38:16,080
but some animals
have learned that working together
351
00:38:16,080 --> 00:38:19,320
within their own family
is the key to success.
352
00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:43,280
Elephants live in large groups
with strong social bonds.
353
00:38:45,040 --> 00:38:46,720
This large herd in Kenya
354
00:38:46,720 --> 00:38:49,800
is made up of several females
and their offspring.
355
00:38:51,880 --> 00:38:57,240
Amongst the herd is an inexperienced
mother with a newborn calf.
356
00:39:07,560 --> 00:39:09,680
She couldn't keep up with the herd,
357
00:39:09,680 --> 00:39:13,560
but the grandmother of the calf
has stayed behind to help.
358
00:39:23,480 --> 00:39:25,960
Meanwhile, the rest of the herd
reach the river.
359
00:39:27,760 --> 00:39:32,200
The older calves are unceremoniously
encouraged to take the plunge.
360
00:39:33,640 --> 00:39:35,480
You could call it tough love.
361
00:39:40,560 --> 00:39:43,200
In her effort to catch up
with the others,
362
00:39:43,200 --> 00:39:46,640
the new mother leads her baby
across a slippery mud pan.
363
00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:10,400
It's not the best route
for a newborn.
364
00:40:22,680 --> 00:40:26,400
Grandmother steps in to try and help
guide the calf across.
365
00:40:49,800 --> 00:40:51,880
Having finally reached the river,
366
00:40:51,880 --> 00:40:55,320
the young mother again chooses
a difficult route for her baby.
367
00:41:15,920 --> 00:41:21,040
Oh, dear. He's now blocked by what,
for him, is an impossibly high bank.
368
00:41:23,760 --> 00:41:26,800
But this is where being
part of a family pays off.
369
00:41:26,800 --> 00:41:31,240
The herd see that he's struggling
and return to try to help him.
370
00:41:33,080 --> 00:41:35,360
Everyone gets involved
in the rescue,
371
00:41:35,360 --> 00:41:36,800
all trying to save the newborn.
372
00:41:58,280 --> 00:42:01,720
They've done it, thanks to the
family working together.
373
00:42:12,920 --> 00:42:16,960
Strong partnerships in this herd
will help the inexperienced mother
374
00:42:16,960 --> 00:42:21,120
become better at caring for her
calf, giving both a brighter future.
375
00:42:26,960 --> 00:42:28,960
Working together in family groups
376
00:42:28,960 --> 00:42:32,200
is essential to the survival of
so many different species.
377
00:42:40,120 --> 00:42:43,960
There's one animal which is famous
for its impeccable teamwork.
378
00:42:47,840 --> 00:42:51,640
Ants function like
a highly-disciplined army.
379
00:42:51,640 --> 00:42:55,560
Each is clear about its own role and
they all work for the same goal.
380
00:43:01,120 --> 00:43:03,920
Nowhere is this teamwork
more important
381
00:43:03,920 --> 00:43:06,120
than in the scorching heat
of the desert.
382
00:43:08,160 --> 00:43:10,160
In the midday African sun,
383
00:43:10,160 --> 00:43:13,520
very little can survive
the soaring temperatures.
384
00:43:13,520 --> 00:43:17,520
But these silver ants have special
armoured skin which reflects light.
385
00:43:22,040 --> 00:43:26,200
They can tolerate temperatures that
would kill any other land animal.
386
00:43:29,480 --> 00:43:32,720
But even they can only survive
out here for a few minutes.
387
00:43:37,400 --> 00:43:39,040
They are in a race to find food
388
00:43:39,040 --> 00:43:42,200
while their predators
have gone to ground.
389
00:43:47,760 --> 00:43:50,000
Only by working together as a team
390
00:43:50,000 --> 00:43:52,440
do the ants stand a chance
of success.
391
00:44:05,240 --> 00:44:07,680
They've found a victim of
heat stroke.
392
00:44:07,680 --> 00:44:08,800
A potential meal.
393
00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:16,840
But will they be able to
get it home
394
00:44:16,840 --> 00:44:18,720
before being scorched themselves?
395
00:44:21,680 --> 00:44:24,160
They are nearing their maximum
temperature.
396
00:44:24,160 --> 00:44:26,560
A blistering 53 degrees Celsius.
397
00:44:39,880 --> 00:44:42,080
Some can no longer take the heat.
398
00:44:51,360 --> 00:44:53,360
They're running out of time.
399
00:44:53,360 --> 00:44:56,960
They won't make it, not unless
they can do something drastic.
400
00:45:13,840 --> 00:45:16,480
By biting off the legs
and antennae,
401
00:45:16,480 --> 00:45:20,040
the ants stand a better chance of
getting their prey back to the nest.
402
00:45:26,880 --> 00:45:29,080
With a final push, they've made it.
403
00:45:32,200 --> 00:45:34,600
Sacrifices were made along the way,
404
00:45:34,600 --> 00:45:36,760
but the team
fulfilled their mission.
405
00:45:48,240 --> 00:45:52,360
From an army of ants
to nature's own special forces.
406
00:45:55,280 --> 00:45:58,800
One of the most tactically
advanced family partnerships
407
00:45:58,800 --> 00:46:01,640
in the natural world can be found
in the sea.
408
00:46:03,520 --> 00:46:04,680
Killer whales.
409
00:46:08,000 --> 00:46:11,800
The ocean's apex predator
takes teamwork
410
00:46:11,800 --> 00:46:14,200
and problem-solving
to a whole new level.
411
00:46:16,520 --> 00:46:19,080
They employ a range of
hunting strategies,
412
00:46:19,080 --> 00:46:21,120
demonstrating high intelligence.
413
00:46:33,120 --> 00:46:37,120
In the Antarctic, a pod of killer
whales stays close together
414
00:46:37,120 --> 00:46:39,320
as they scour the sea
looking for prey.
415
00:46:54,440 --> 00:46:57,080
There are several
potential victims here.
416
00:47:06,600 --> 00:47:08,880
Although they are out of reach.
417
00:47:12,840 --> 00:47:15,520
The solution
is highly complex teamwork.
418
00:47:18,360 --> 00:47:22,480
Swimming in perfect formation,
they flick their tails in unison
419
00:47:22,480 --> 00:47:24,760
and create a wave
that cracks the ice.
420
00:47:33,240 --> 00:47:35,640
They regroup and assess the damage.
421
00:47:37,480 --> 00:47:39,520
A more powerful wave is needed.
422
00:47:47,440 --> 00:47:49,240
With the ice floe breaking up,
423
00:47:49,240 --> 00:47:51,520
they can get a better look
at their target.
424
00:47:53,760 --> 00:47:57,720
It's a crabeater seal. Quite
vicious. Not their favourite.
425
00:48:08,960 --> 00:48:11,400
A Weddell seal
is far more manageable.
426
00:48:25,360 --> 00:48:28,480
They unleash a powerful wave
with remarkable accuracy.
427
00:48:40,920 --> 00:48:43,520
The seal is now
where the killers want it.
428
00:48:45,120 --> 00:48:47,800
But there's still work to be done.
429
00:48:47,800 --> 00:48:50,000
They need to grab their prey
by the tail,
430
00:48:50,000 --> 00:48:51,840
while avoiding its snapping jaws.
431
00:48:54,280 --> 00:48:57,240
Only then will they be able to
pull it down and drown it.
432
00:48:59,120 --> 00:49:02,920
Side swipes create violent
underwater turbulence, a new tactic.
433
00:49:12,400 --> 00:49:15,120
Blowing bubbles gives cover
for others in the team
434
00:49:15,120 --> 00:49:16,800
to lunge at the seal's tail.
435
00:49:23,760 --> 00:49:26,920
Somehow, the seal manages to
reach a tiny ice floe.
436
00:49:33,440 --> 00:49:35,920
The killers could easily
grab it now.
437
00:49:35,920 --> 00:49:38,400
But rather like a cat with
an injured mouse,
438
00:49:38,400 --> 00:49:40,400
they seem to be enjoying the sport.
439
00:50:00,920 --> 00:50:04,160
Yet again, the pod joins forces
to dislodge the seal.
440
00:50:21,440 --> 00:50:23,040
Completely exhausted,
441
00:50:23,040 --> 00:50:26,320
the seal hardly has the energy left
to pull itself to safety.
442
00:50:39,920 --> 00:50:41,960
For the unfortunate seal,
443
00:50:41,960 --> 00:50:43,160
it's game over...
444
00:50:51,040 --> 00:50:53,280
..falling victim to, without doubt,
445
00:50:53,280 --> 00:50:55,760
one of nature's most lethal
partnerships.
446
00:51:12,320 --> 00:51:13,800
Throughout history,
447
00:51:13,800 --> 00:51:17,280
partnerships have also existed
between animals and humans.
448
00:51:20,080 --> 00:51:23,560
The majority of these
are rather one-sided,
449
00:51:23,560 --> 00:51:27,360
with humans harnessing the skills
of wild animals for their own ends.
450
00:51:32,680 --> 00:51:34,960
However, some special
relationships do exist
451
00:51:34,960 --> 00:51:37,800
where an understanding between
animal and human
452
00:51:37,800 --> 00:51:40,440
has developed which is
quite extraordinary.
453
00:51:55,280 --> 00:51:59,120
Bottlenose dolphins make their way
to a shoreline in Brazil.
454
00:52:03,440 --> 00:52:05,840
They have forged
a remarkable partnership
455
00:52:05,840 --> 00:52:08,080
with the local fishermen here.
456
00:52:11,960 --> 00:52:15,160
Large numbers of mullet come through
this area in the early summer.
457
00:52:19,640 --> 00:52:22,480
The problem for the fishermen
is that the water is so murky
458
00:52:22,480 --> 00:52:24,320
they can't see where to
cast their nets.
459
00:52:29,400 --> 00:52:33,040
The dolphins drive the mullet
towards the fishermen
460
00:52:33,040 --> 00:52:36,800
and even signal when to cast their
nets with their distinctive dives.
461
00:52:46,880 --> 00:52:50,120
The fishermen claim they can even
tell the size of the school
462
00:52:50,120 --> 00:52:51,760
and which way it is travelling
463
00:52:51,760 --> 00:52:54,080
by the vigour and
direction of the dive.
464
00:52:57,880 --> 00:53:00,680
The dolphins do all the hard work
herding the mullet,
465
00:53:00,680 --> 00:53:02,520
much to the joy of the fishermen.
466
00:53:09,160 --> 00:53:11,760
They can catch many kilos
of fish in this way.
467
00:53:24,040 --> 00:53:27,720
The dolphins have no trouble
rounding up shoals of fish,
468
00:53:27,720 --> 00:53:30,720
but picking off individuals
is more difficult for them.
469
00:53:36,720 --> 00:53:39,680
It's here they benefit
from their fellow fishermen.
470
00:53:41,160 --> 00:53:43,120
The nets panic the mullet,
471
00:53:43,120 --> 00:53:45,360
forcing them to break formation.
472
00:53:45,360 --> 00:53:47,400
As the fish make their bid
for freedom,
473
00:53:47,400 --> 00:53:49,120
the dolphins seize their chance.
474
00:53:54,320 --> 00:53:56,760
And they're not the only ones
to benefit.
475
00:54:07,200 --> 00:54:10,360
One of the most extraordinary
partnerships between humans
476
00:54:10,360 --> 00:54:13,240
and wild animals
can be found in East Africa.
477
00:54:14,360 --> 00:54:16,560
It's a unique relationship,
478
00:54:16,560 --> 00:54:19,320
which can be traced right back
to the 17th century.
479
00:54:21,760 --> 00:54:24,400
This honeyguide bird
is calling out...
480
00:54:28,920 --> 00:54:31,920
..not to other birds,
but amazingly, to humans.
481
00:54:34,720 --> 00:54:38,480
Its intention is to lead a couple
of local Masai to a beehive.
482
00:54:40,600 --> 00:54:44,320
Thanks to its acute sense of smell,
it's already found the hive,
483
00:54:44,320 --> 00:54:47,720
but without human help it would
find it much harder to reach
484
00:54:47,720 --> 00:54:49,360
the sweet honeycomb inside.
485
00:55:11,040 --> 00:55:13,320
It becomes a game of
follow my leader.
486
00:55:31,400 --> 00:55:34,040
As the honeyguide gets
closer to the prize,
487
00:55:34,040 --> 00:55:37,480
it changes its call to let them know
they're getting warmer.
488
00:55:47,640 --> 00:55:49,520
Here it is,
489
00:55:49,520 --> 00:55:52,160
a hive well-hidden in a tree
490
00:55:52,160 --> 00:55:54,360
and covered by hundreds
of African bees.
491
00:56:00,040 --> 00:56:02,880
The boys use smoke
to help calm the bees.
492
00:56:02,880 --> 00:56:06,360
Without this smoke, it would be much
more painful for either the locals
493
00:56:06,360 --> 00:56:08,200
or the bird to get to the honeycomb.
494
00:56:30,520 --> 00:56:33,600
The honeyguide bird is the only
wild animal
495
00:56:33,600 --> 00:56:37,360
known to actually guide people
to food in this remarkable way.
496
00:56:44,480 --> 00:56:48,800
These Masai know it's important to
keep up their part of the bargain.
497
00:56:48,800 --> 00:56:51,840
The honeyguide bird
is rewarded with its share.
498
00:56:59,560 --> 00:57:03,040
A guarantee that this unique
partnership can continue.
499
00:57:15,600 --> 00:57:18,440
It's a measure of
the huge diversity
500
00:57:18,440 --> 00:57:21,360
and enduring mystery
of the natural world
501
00:57:21,360 --> 00:57:24,520
that these extraordinary
animal partnerships exist.
502
00:57:27,600 --> 00:57:31,280
I mean, who would've thought it,
a bird helping out a tortoise...
503
00:57:37,920 --> 00:57:40,880
..never mind a raven sharing dinner
with a wolverine?
504
00:57:45,440 --> 00:57:49,120
It seems these relationships
are all about survival.
505
00:57:51,160 --> 00:57:52,680
And without doubt,
506
00:57:52,680 --> 00:57:57,040
having a partner,
some more perfect than others,
507
00:57:57,040 --> 00:57:58,880
can make all the difference.
43131
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