Original subtitles

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

WATCHING TELEVISION THAT IS EDUCATIONAL AND INFORMATIONAL.

THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

DYLAN: HI, EVERYONE, I'M DYLAN DREYER.

LET'S EXPLORE THE WORLD TOGETHER ON TODAY'S "EARTH ODYSSEY".

TODAY, WE'LL SPEND TIME WITH THE MOST SKILLED SURVIVAL

SPECIALISTS IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

LIKE THESE ORCAS, WHOSE UNIQUE TRAPPING TECHNIQUE MEANS A MEAL

IS NEVER OUT OF REACH.

WE'LL DISCOVER THE AMAZING ADAPTATION THAT ALLOWS THIS

WEASEL TO THRIVE FROM SEASON TO SEASON.

AND LATER, THIS BROWN BEAR IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW IT

TAKES A LOT OF HEART TO SURVIVE THE WINTER.

BUT FIRST, WE'LL TAKE A LOOK AT AN UNUSUAL CREATURE WHO HAS

LEARNED TO SWIM WHERE THERE'S NO WATER.

ALL OF THIS AND MORE ON TODAY'S "EARTH ODYSSEY".

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE MOST SKILLED WILD SURVIVORS ALL SHARE ONE CRITICAL

ATTRIBUTE, THE ABILITY TO ADAPT TO THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

FROM ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE BRUTALLY COLD, TO SCORCHING HOT,

THESE SURVIVAL SPECIALISTS KNOW HOW TO KEEP A COOL HEAD WHEN THE

PRESSURE IS ON.

AND STAYING COOL IS KEY IN OUR FIRST DESTINATION, WHERE THE

DANGER IS AS HIGH AS THE TEMPERATURE.

AT MORE THAN THREE MILLION SQUARE MILES, THE SAHARA DESERT

IS THE LARGEST HOT DESERT IN THE WORLD.

WITH AN AVERAGE HIGH TEMPERATURE ABOVE 100 DEGREES, SURPRISINGLY,

NIGHTTIME TEMPERATURES CAN DROP BELOW FREEZING.

BUT IN THE DAY, THINGS WARM UP RAPIDLY.

VERY RAPIDLY.

JUST A FEW HOURS AFTER SUNRISE AND IT'S ALREADY A SCORCHING 95

DEGREES.

THE INTENSE HEAT AND CONSTANT SANDSTORMS MAKE THIS A

TREACHEROUS PLACE TO LIVE.

BUT FOR ANIMALS ADAPTED TO THESE EXTREME CONDITIONS, THIS HEAT IS

A VITAL SOURCE OF ENERGY.

THIS SANDFISH IS COLD-BLOODED AND NEEDS THE SUN TO RECHARGE

AFTER A COLD NIGHT.

THE SANDFISH'S SMOOTH BODY AND SHORT, STURDY LEGS ARE IDEAL FOR

MOVING ACROSS THE DESERT TERRAIN.

HIS EARS AND NOSTRILS ARE ALSO SMALL ENOUGH TO STOP SAND FROM

GETTING INTO HIS NOSE AND LUNGS.

THE SANDFISH IS PERFECTLY DESIGNED FOR THIS EXTREME

ENVIRONMENT.

BUT SO IS ITS DEADLY ENEMY.

THE HORNED VIPER IS A FEARSOME PREDATOR WITH A TASTE FOR

SANDFISH.

MOST ANIMALS STRUGGLE TO MOVE ACROSS THE SANDY DUNES.

BUT THE HORNED VIPER HAS DEVELOPED THE PERFECT TECHNIQUE

TO TRAVEL ACROSS THE BURNING SAND AT HIGH SPEED.

TO AVOID SINKING, IT GRIPS WITH TWO POINTS OF ITS LONG BODY,

REPEATEDLY THROWING THE REST OF ITSELF SIDEWAYS.

PRODUCING THE SMOOTH MOVEMENT THAT GIVES THE SNAKE ITS

NICKNAME: THE SIDEWINDER.

THIS TECHNIQUE ALSO PREVENTS IT FROM OVERHEATING, KEEPING AS

MUCH OF ITS BODY OFF THE SEARING GROUND AS POSSIBLE.

BUT RIGHT NOW, HE SMELLS PREY.

THE SANDFISH APPEARS UNABLE TO MOVE.

HE IS STILL WARMING UP HIS BODY AS HIS NEMESIS NEARS.

THE SANDFISH KNOWS HE HAS NO CHANCE OF OUTRUNNING THE VIPER.

THE SNAKE TAKES HIS TIME AS HE PREPARES TO STRIKE.

THE OUTCOME APPEARS INEVITABLE, BUT THE SANDFISH HAS A SECRET

WEAPON FOR SURVIVING IN THE DESERT.

DISAPPEARING INTO THE SAND, THE LIZARD ESCAPES THE VIPER'S

DEADLY FANGS.

IT'S THIS INCREDIBLE TRICK THAT GIVES THE SANDFISH ITS NAME.

LITERALLY SWIMMING THROUGH THE SAND TO SAFETY.

HIS STREAMLINED BODY AND SMOOTH SKIN MEANS HE CAN TRAVEL WITH

GREAT SPEED UNDER THE DESERT, AWAY FROM HIS ENEMIES.

LEAVING THE VIPER TO CONTINUE HIS SEARCH FOR BREAKFAST.

COMING UP, WE'LL SEE HOW THESE BROWN BEARS BEAT THE COLD BY

HIBERNATING.

THEN, IN THE WILDS OF FINLAND, WE'LL SEE HOW ONE SMALL

PREDATOR'S LOOK CHANGES WITH THE SEASONS.

AND HOW THIS MARINE MAMMAL USES ITS HEAD TO HUNT WHEN THE ODDS

ARE STACKED AGAINST IT.

ALL OF THIS AND MORE COMING UP ON "EARTH ODYSSEY".

.

NARRATOR: WE NOW RETURN TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: WHAT MAKES ANIMALS SUCH INCREDIBLE EXPERTS AT SURVIVING

IN THE WILD IS THEIR CREATIVITY.

FINDING UNIQUE WAYS TO THRIVE IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS FOR EVERY

CREATURE, BIG AND SMALL.

FOR EXAMPLE, ONE OF THE BIGGEST ANIMALS IN THE TAIGA OF NORTH

AMERICA HAS DEVELOPED ITS OWN SPECIAL WAY TO SURVIVE THE

EXTREMES OF WINTER.

AFTER FOUR LONG MONTHS, TEMPERATURES HAVE FINALLY RISEN

ABOVE FREEZING.

AND THIS IS THE FIRST BROWN BEAR TO EMERGE.

WEIGHING ALMOST 1,100 POUNDS, BROWN BEARS ARE OMNIVORES AND

WILL EAT ANYTHING.

BUT THERE WAS LITTLE TO CHOOSE FROM HERE IN WINTER.

SO, IN ORDER TO SURVIVE, HE HAS CONSERVED HIS ENERGY SLEEPING

RIGHT THROUGH THE COLDEST PART OF THE YEAR.

FOR UP TO SIX MONTHS, BROWN BEARS DIG DENS OR HIDE

THEMSELVES AWAY IN CAVES TO HIBERNATE.

THEY REDUCE THEIR HEARTRATE FROM 50 TO 10 BEATS PER MINUTE.

SLASHING THEIR METABOLIC RATE.

THE BROWN BEAR CAN SURVIVE FOR 100 DAYS WITHOUT FOOD OR WATER.

BUT NOW, SPRING HAS FINALLY SPRUNG.

THE HUNGRY BEAR HAS WOKEN UP.

THE SNOW AND ICE HAVE BEGUN TO MELT AND THE BEAR CAN START TO

LOOK FOR FOOD ONCE AGAIN.

HE'S SO HUNGRY THAT HE'LL GO FOR ANYTHING THAT'S AVAILABLE.

BEARS HAVE ONE OF THE BEST SENSES OF SMELL OF ANY MAMMAL.

2,000 TIMES MORE POWERFUL THAN HUMANS.

USING SMELL ALONE, HE TRACKS DOWN A CARCASS MORE THAN 18

MILES AWAY FROM HIS DEN.

A VICTIM OF THE COLD WINTER PROVIDES MUCH-NEEDED SUSTENANCE.

BUT HE NEEDS TO BE QUICK, A FIND LIKE THIS IS SURE TO ATTRACT

ATTENTION.

THERE ARE AROUND 2,500 BEARS ROAMING NORTHERN EUROPE'S

FORESTS.

AND MOST WILL BE HUNGRY.

AT FIRST, HE'S TOO BUSY TO NOTICE HE'S GOT COMPANY.

LUCKILY, BEARS HAVE GREAT HEARING.

THE THAWING ICE GIVES THE INTRUDER'S GAME AWAY.

THE INTRUDER IS MUCH BIGGER, SO HE MAKES A SWIFT EXIT.

LUCKILY, THERE WILL BE PLENTY OF FOOD LEFTOVER.

HE JUST HAS TO WAIT HIS TURN.

COMING UP, HOW THIS CREATURE'S STYLE IS NEVER OUT OF SEASON.

AND WE'LL SEE THE ULTIMATE HUNTING TECHNIQUE THAT HAS BEEN

PASSED DOWN FOR GENERATIONS.

ALL COMING UP NEXT ON "EARTH ODYSSEY".

.

NARRATOR: WE NOW RETURN TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: SOME AMAZING ANIMALS CAN ACTUALLY CHANGE THEIR PHYSICAL

APPEARANCE TO BLEND INTO THEIR SURROUNDINGS.

THESE COLOR-CHANGING CREATURES HAVE QUITE THE ADVANTAGE IN THE

WILD.

THE SKIN OF A CHAMELEON OR OCTOPUS CAN CHANGE RAPIDLY TO

CAMOUFLAGE FROM PREDATORS.

WHILE OTHER COLOR-COORDINATORS ARE MORE SUBTLE, ALTERING THEIR

LOOK OVER THE COURSE OF THE SEASONS.

JUST LIKE THIS FURRY BUT FEROCIOUS FINNISH NATIVE.

HERE IN FINLAND, ONE ANIMAL USES A TRAIT TO SURVIVE

THE EXTREME CHANGES BETWEEN THE SEASONS.

THE WEASEL.

THE WORLD'S SMALLEST CARNIVORE.

AT AROUND SIX INCHES LONG, IT HAS A CUTE, HARMLESS APPEARANCE.

BUT LOOKS CAN BE DECEPTIVE.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: AND EVOLUTION HAS GIVEN THEM A WEAPON.

WEASELS CHANGE THEIR COLOR ACCORDING TO THE SEASONS.

IN THE SUMMER, WEASELS HAVE A BROWN COAT.

AND IN WARMER REGIONS, WHERE SNOW IS SCARCE, THEY STAY THIS

COLOR.

BUT IN SNOW-COVERED REGIONS, THIS CAN CHANGE TO WHITE.

THIS ABILITY TO CHANGE COLOR TO SUIT THEIR SNOWY ENVIRONMENT

MAKES THEM HARD TO SPOT.

AND ONE CAN SMELL HIS FAVORITE MEAL.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: VOLES.

THESE SMALL RODENTS LIVE IN UNDERGROUND BURROWS.

THEY USUALLY TRAVEL IN A NETWORK OF TUNNELS BENEATH THE SNOW, BUT

SOMETIMES, THEY HAVE TO VENTURE OUT.

UNFORTUNATELY, NATURE HASN'T GIVEN VOLES THE SAME ABILITY TO

CHANGE COLOR, LEAVING THEM AT A DISTINCT DISADVANTAGE.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE WEASEL SPOTS THE OPPORTUNITY AND GIVES CHASE.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: IT CLOSES THE GAP QUICKLY, BUT THE VOLE MAKES IT

BACK TO ITS BURROW.

IT MAY THINK IT'S SAFE, BUT THE WEASEL'S SMALL ENOUGH TO FOLLOW

IT INTO ITS TUNNEL.

THIS HUNGRY WEASEL IS GOING TO HAVE A BUSY WINTER.

WHEN WE RETURN, WE HEAD TO PATAGONIA, WHERE THESE

MAGNIFICENT MARINE MAMMALS ARE PERFECTING THEIR TRAPPING

TECHNIQUE.

.

NARRATOR: WE NOW RETURN TO THE MORE YOU KNOW ON NBC.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: FOR MANY ANIMALS OF THE WILD, SURVIVAL MEANS TRAVELING

INCREDIBLE DISTANCES IN SEARCH OF SAFETY, FOOD, AND A PLACE TO

BREED.

AND ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR MIGRATION DESTINATIONS SITS JUST

OFF THE PACIFIC COAST OF CANADA.

VANCOUVER ISLAND IS HOME ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST DIVERSE

ECOSYSTEMS.

GLACIER-CAPPED MOUNTAINS, ANCIENT FORESTS, A NETWORK OF

RIVERS AND CREEKS, AND A NUTRIENT-RICH OCEAN THAT

SUPPORTS AN ABUNDANCE OF WILDLIFE.

INCLUDING THE REGION'S FAMOUS PACIFIC SALMON, ORCAS, AND OF

COURSE, THIS GENTLE GIANT.

HUMPBACK WHALES CAN REACH 52 FEET IN LENGTH AND WEIGH MORE

THAN 36 TONS, MAKING THEM THE FIFTH LARGEST ANIMAL ON THE

PLANET.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE HUMPBACK'S ENORMOUS FRAMES ARE FUELED BY SMALL

SCHOOLING FISH LIKE HERRING.

AND SWARMS OF TINY SHRIMP-LIKE CRUSTACEANS KNOWN AS KRILL.

THESE TOOTHLESS WHALES USE A MASS OF BRISTLES CALLED BALEEN

PLATES TO FILTER FOOD FROM THE WATER.

THE HUMPBACKS ARE ABOUT TO EMBARK ON A MAMMOTH JOURNEY.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THEY SPEND EACH WINTER IN THE WARMER SOUTHERN WATERS

OFF MEXICO AND HAWAII.

MORE THAN 3,000 MILES AWAY.

THIS IS WHERE THEY'LL BREED BEFORE RETURNING TO VANCOUVER

ISLAND'S FOOD-RICH WATERS WITH THEIR CALVES IN TOW.

BUT THERE'S ONE RESIDENT POD OF WHALES THAT NEVER LEAVES THE

REGION AND THESE PREDATORS HAVE A TASTE FOR VANCOUVER ISLAND'S

SPECIALTY: SALMON.

KILLER WHALES WEIGH UP TO NINE TONS AND ROAM THE ISLAND'S COAST

IN PODS OF UP TO 30 INDIVIDUALS.

UNLIKE HUMPBACKS, THEY HAVE MORE THAN 20 PAIRS OF POINTED,

INTERLOCKING TEETH.

ALSO KNOWN AS ORCAS, NAMED AFTER THE ROMAN GOD OF THE UNDERWORLD,

THEY HUNT IN PACKS AND ARE OFTEN REFERRED TO AS THE WOLVES OF THE

SEA.

BUT THIS PARTICULAR POD POSES NO THREAT TO THE SALMON.

THESE KILLER WHALES HUNT MAMMALS.

WHILE THE RESIDENT PODS OF ORCAS EAT ONLY FISH, THIS VISITING

GROUP GOES FOR MUCH LARGER PREY, SUCH AS SEA LIONS.

THESE SEA LIONS WERE LUCKY TO GET AWAY.

ORCAS CAN BE FOUND ALL AROUND THE WORLD, A TESTAMENT TO THEIR

ABILITY TO SURVIVE IN AN ARRAY OF DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS.

IN EVERY OCEAN ON EARTH, PODS OF ORCA ALL DEVELOP THEIR OWN

UNIQUE HUNTING TECHNIQUES.

BUT THIS PATAGONIAN SHORELINE IS ONE OF ONLY TWO PLACES IN THE

WORLD WHERE ORCAS HAVE LEARNED TO PURPOSEFULLY STRAND

THEMSELVES AS THEY ATTEMPT TO CATCH SEAL PUPS PLAYING ON THE

BEACH.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: IN BREEDING SEASON, THIS AMBUSH TACTIC IS HIGHLY

SUCCESSFUL.

BUT THEY DON'T ALWAYS GET IT RIGHT.

AND THE ORCA RISK DEATH IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO WRIGGLE BACK INTO

DEEPER WATER.

THE ORCAS, HOWEVER, HAVE THE INTELLIGENCE TO KNOW THAT THIS

IS A HIGH-RISK STRATEGY.

SO, TODAY, EVEN BEFORE THE SEAL PUPS HAVE BEEN BORN, THESE ORCA

HAVE GATHERED HERE FOR A TRAINING SESSION.

THE ORCA ARE WAITING NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO A LAGOON.

THEY KNOW THIS AREA HAS A LARGE TIDAL RANGE.

GRADUALLY, THE ATLANTIC WATERS FLOOD A HIDDEN CHANNEL.

ALLOWING THE ORCAS TO SWIM IN.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: ONCE INSIDE THE LAGOON, THE BIGGEST ORCA NOW

DEMONSTRATES HOW TO TIME ITS ATTACK WITH THE SURGE OF A WAVE.

WAITING FOR THE NEXT WAVE TO MANEUVER BACK INTO DEEPER WATER.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE YOUNG ORCAS ARE THEN FORCED TO PRACTICE THIS BEACHING

TECHNIQUE.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: FOR THE ORCAS, THIS PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

IT MAY BE RISKY, BUT BY PRACTICING IN ADVANCE, THEY

DEMONSTRATE EXTREMELY HIGH INTELLIGENCE.

ENABLING THE YOUNGSTERS TO LEARN THIS SKILL IN A LOWER PRESSURE

ENVIRONMENT.

IT'S THIS LEVEL OF INTELLIGENCE THAT MAKES THE OCEAN'S LARGEST

DOLPHIN ALSO ITS DEADLIEST PREDATOR.

IN EVERY CORNER OF THE WORLD, ANIMALS DISPLAY THEIR INGENIOUS

INSTINCTS TO SURVIVE THE WILD.

WHETHER IN SAND, SNOW, OR SEA, SURVIVING AGAINST THE ODDS IS

JUST ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE FOR THESE CREATIVE CREATURES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU AGAIN ON THE NEXT

"EARTH ODYSSEY".

[MUSIC]