Original subtitles

.

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.

WELCOME TO ANOTHER ADVENTURE ON EARTH ODYSSEY.

TODAY, WE'RE GETTING A LOOK AT HOW EARTH'S

MOST AMAZING ANIMALS KEEP THEMSELVES HEALTHY AND HAPPY.

LIKE THESE COLORFUL CHARACTERS, ALWAYS WORKING TO KEEP

THEIR PLUMAGE PERFECT.

AND A STYLISH SPECIES THAT MAKES PEST CONTROL A PRIORITY.

LATER, WE'LL WING OUR WAY TO THE TROPICS

TO MEET SOME ECO-FRIENDLY FLYERS.

BUT OUR FIRST STOP IS IN THE HEART OF AFRICA

TO SEE A MONKEY TROOP IN TIP-TOP SHAPE.

JOIN OUR AMAZING ANIMAL EXCURSION HERE ON EARTH ODYSSEY.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: A BABOON'S LIFE, MUCH LIKE OUR OWN,

RELIES HEAVILY ON SOCIAL CONNECTIONS

AND A DEEP SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

NO BABOON CAN SURVIVE SUCCESSFULLY IN THE WILD

WITHOUT ITS CLAN.

AND THAT MUTUAL DEPENDENCE ON ONE ANOTHER

HAS FORMED UNIQUE AND SOMETIMES UNEXPECTED HABITS

FROM THE DAY THEY'RE BORN.

ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENT BATTLES IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

IS THE FIGHT AGAINST PESTS.

AND WHEN IT COMES TO FENDING THEM OFF,

SOME ANIMALS ARE BETTER EQUIPPED.

MONKEYS, FOR EXAMPLE.

WITH THEIR LONG ARMS AND FINGERS,

THEY CAN REACH ANY PART OF THEIR BODY WITH PRECISION

OR EVEN THEIR FRIEND'S BODY.

FOR BABOONS, THERE'S A BONUS FOR PARASITE REMOVAL,

A TASTY SNACK.

AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON WHY THEY USE THEIR MOUTHS

INSTEAD OF THEIR FINGERS TO PICK OFF THE PESTS.

WHILE THEIR THUMBS AND FINGERS ARE USEFUL,

THEY AREN'T WELL ENOUGH COORDINATED

TO GRAB THE TINY INSECTS.

THEIR TEETH, ON THE OTHER HAND, ARE SURGICALLY PRECISE.

WHILE THEY MAY BE THE MOST FAMOUS FOR IT,

MONKEYS AREN'T THE ONLY ANIMALS THAT APPRECIATE MUTUAL GROOMING.

IN FACT, IT'S A VERY WIDESPREAD PRACTICE

AND ITS BENEFITS ARE OBVIOUS.

MUTUAL GROOMING HELPS TO CLEAN PARTS OF THE BODY

WHICH WOULD OTHERWISE BE UNREACHABLE.

AND OF COURSE, IT'S A TRIED AND TESTED BONDING EXERCISE.

BUT FOR THE REALLY TOUGH TO REACH PLACES,

THERE ARE ALWAYS A FEW VOLUNTEERS AVAILABLE.

THIS YOUNG IMPALA IS ACTING AS A LIVING BIRD FEEDER

FOR THESE OXPECKERS.

THEY'VE COME FOR THE BACKSIDE BUFFET OF INSECTS

IN THE IMPALA'S FUR.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: OCCASIONALLY, THE OXPECKERS CAN BE PRETTY

INTRUSIVE, BORDERING ON DOWNRIGHT RUDE.

BUT ANIMALS PUT UP WITH THEIR CHEEKY NATURE

BECAUSE THEY ARE THE BEST IN THE BUSINESS

AT KEEPING COATS OF ALL COLORS AND SIZES HEALTHY.

FROM ZEBRAS...

...TO WATER BUFFALO...

...AND ESPECIALLY GIRAFFES.

OXPECKERS AREN'T TOO PICKY AS LONG AS THERE IS

AMPLE SPACE TO COVER.

AND A GIRAFFE'S NECK IS THE PERFECT HUNTING GROUND.

THE GIRAFFE IS A WILLING AND THANKFUL HOST.

HIPPOS ARE ANOTHER APPRECIATIVE CUSTOMER

OF THE OXPECKER'S GROOMING SERVICES.

RHINOS ARE A PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE ANIMAL FOR OXPECKERS.

THE LARGE SURFACE AREA AND MINIMAL HAIR

MAKE THEIR JOBS EASIER.

AND THEY'RE EXTREMELY SAFE WHILE CLEANING THE RHINO.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THIS SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OXPECKERS

AND THE ANIMALS OF THE SAVANNA SHOWS THAT EVEN IN THE WILD,

NOTHING BEATS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY.

AFTER THE BREAK, WE'LL SEE HOW BIRDS

BRING THEIR OWN PERSONAL STYLE TO THE WILD,

AND WHY THESE MEMORABLE MAMMALS ARE A SIGHT FOR SORE EYES.

PLUS, MEET ONE OF THE CARIBBEAN'S MOST

PROLIFIC POLLINATORS.

STAY TUNED FOR MORE EARTH ODYSSEY.

.

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

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THE WIDE ARRAY OF PLUMAGE AND COLORS WE SEE IN BIRDS

IS NOT ONLY CAPTIVATING TO US, BUT A CRUCIAL SIGHT FOR SORE

EYES AMONG BIRDS THEMSELVES, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO FIND

A MATE.

THEIR BEAUTIFUL PLUMAGE IS TO ATTRACT AND IMPRESS,

AND IT CERTAINLY ACCOMPLISHES THAT GOAL.

WHEREAS SOME ANIMALS, LIKE GAZELLES,

SEEM TO BE THOUSANDS OF VERSIONS OF THE SAME SHADE AND PATTERN,

BIRDS PARADE AROUND WITH AN AMAZING PALETTE OF COLORS.

AND FOR MANY, THEIR SONG MATCHES THEIR UNIQUE LOOK.

WHILE HUNDREDS OF BIRD CALLS MAY BE HEARD ACROSS THE WILD,

EACH BIRD IS ONLY INTERESTED IN THAT OF THEIR OWN SPECIES,

A CALLING CARD, IF YOU WILL.

PLACING HIMSELF OUT IN THE OPEN, THIS WOODLAND KINGFISHER

LISTENS CLOSELY TO THE SONG OF A RIVAL LOOKING

TO MOVE IN ON HIS TERRITORY.

BUT THERE WILL BE NO EVICTION TODAY.

SURVEYING THE LANDSCAPE FROM ABOVE,

THIS IS ONE OF THE WORLD'S LARGEST BIRDS OF PREY,

THE VULTURE.

KNOWN PROBABLY MORE FOR THEIR SCAVENGING

THAN THEIR HUNTING, THESE CARNIVOROUS

BIRDS ARE MASTERS OF MAKING THE MOST

OF THEIR RESOURCES.

WHEN THE TIME TO HUNT COMES, VULTURES RELY ON THEIR

EXTREMELY ACUTE EYESIGHT TO FIND THEIR NEXT MEAL.

ABLE TO SPOT PREY OR CARRION FROM UP TO FOUR MILES AWAY,

THEIR NEXT MEAL SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE IN SIGHT.

THIS HADADA IBIS IS ON THE HUNT FOR FOOD.

UNLIKE MOST AVIANS, THIS BIRD DOESN'T DEPEND ON ITS SIGHT.

INSTEAD, IT'S ALL ABOUT SMELL.

ITS LONG BEAK IS EQUIPPED WITH SPECIAL SENSORS

THAT DETECT ODORS AND TELL IT JUST THE RIGHT PLACE TO DIG

FOR A DELICIOUS MORSEL.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: FOR THE YELLOW-BILLED STORK, THE BEAK CALLS ON

ANOTHER SENSE - TOUCH.

NOT ONLY IS IT A TOOL THAT THIS BIRD CAN USE

WITH EXTREME PRECISION, BUT IT'S EQUIPPED

WITH TACTILE SENSORS.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: WHEN THE STORK FISHES, ITS BEAK IS TRIGGERED BY REFLEX

WHEN IT FEELS A FISH.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: SEEING THESE BIRDS BROOM, YOU CAN TELL THAT THERE'S

AN ENORMOUS CONNECTION BETWEEN SIGHT AND TOUCH.

IT'S AN IMPRESSIVE DISPLAY OF COORDINATION AND EXPERTISE

THAT SHOWCASES THE AMAZING SENSES OF THIS

REMARKABLE ANIMAL.

COMING UP, THIS SEA OF STRIPES IS THE PERFECT PEST REPELLENT.

AND A CURIOUS COLONY OF CARIBBEAN NATIVES

ARE STAYING UP PAST BEDTIME WHEN EARTH ODYSSEY RETURNS.

.

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

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: IN AN ENVIRONMENT WITH SUCH INCREDIBLE BIODIVERSITY,

IT CAN BE HARD TO FIND ONE SPECIES

THAT TRULY STANDS OUT AMONG THE REST.

A CREATURE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM ITS CO-INHABITANTS

BECAUSE ITS WAY OF THRIVING IN THE WILD IS UNLIKE ANY OTHER.

HOWEVER, YOU'RE ABOUT TO SEE AN ANIMAL

THAT CERTAINLY MEETS THAT CRITERIA,

LIVING IN THE SPOTLIGHT THANKS TO THEIR

ONE-OF-A-KIND LIFESTYLE.

THE WILD IS FULL OF MEMORABLE MAMMALS

THAT HAVE LOOKS AND HABITS THAT ARE HARD TO MISS.

FROM THE WILDEBEEST TO THE NYALA.

THEY COME IN ALL SHAPES, SIZES, AND COLORS.

BUT A COMMON THEME YOU MAY NOTICE IS DARK COATS.

THE BROWNS, BLACKS, AND GRAYS GIVE THEM A SUBTLE DISGUISE

AMONGST THE SHADE OF TREES AND BUSHES.

HOWEVER, THERE'S STILL ONE CONCERN

NO MATTER THE COAT'S COLOR, PESTS.

WHETHER LIGHT OR DARK FUR, ANIMALS IN THE WILD

MUST CONSTANTLY CONTEND WITH A BOMBARDMENT OF BUGS.

SO THEY ALL HAVE THEIR OWN STRATEGIES OF HOW TO REPEL THEM.

SOME LICK, SOME SCRATCH, SOME HIDE.

BUT THERE'S ONE ANIMAL WHO USES STYLE

TO KEEP THE BUGS AT BAY, ZEBRAS.

THEIR STRIPED HIDE WORKS LIKE A NATURAL INSECT REPELLENT,

CONFUSING FLIES AND DISRUPTING THEIR ABILITY

TO LAND EFFECTIVELY.

BUT AMONG ALL THE STRIPES, ONE DISCREPANCY STICKS OUT.

A SMALL BLACK PATCH ON THE INSIDE OF ITS HIND LEGS.

IT'S AN AREA OF BARE AND CALLOUSED SKIN

WITH A CRUCIAL FUNCTION.

IT PROTECTS THE LEG.

THIS PATCH STOPS THE SHARP EDGES OF THE ZEBRA'S HOOF

FROM INJURING IT WHEN RESTING.

THE PAD CUSHIONS THE EXACT PLACE WHERE THE HOOF MAKES CONTACT.

A ZEBRA'S COAT IS AS VERSATILE AS IT IS UNIQUE.

BUT HERBIVORES AREN'T THE ONLY ONES

WITH STYLISH LOOKS AND SOCIAL SENSIBILITIES.

AFRICAN PAINTED DOGS ARE MORE THAN UP TO THE CHALLENGE.

THESE EXPERT HUNTERS LIVE AND HUNT IN GROUPS,

EPITOMIZING THE SUCCESS OF TEAMWORK.

OTHER ANIMALS ARE CONSTANTLY ON ALERT WHEN WILD DOGS ARE AROUND,

ESPECIALLY IF THEY ARE NEWBORNS LIKE THIS BABY WILDEBEEST.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: WILD DOGS ARE THE LEAST DEMANDING OF ALL AFRICAN DOG

FAMILIES IN TERMS OF HABITAT.

BUT THERE'S ONE THING THEY APPRECIATE MORE THAN ANYTHING,

ACCESS TO A POND.

WHEN THEY GET TO THE WATER'S EDGE,

THEY CAN'T RESIST THE TEMPTATION TO GET IN.

THE PAINTED DOG HAS IN ITS ARSENAL STAMINA AND SPEED.

IT CAN RUN AT NEARLY 30 MILES PER HOUR FOR SEVERAL MILES.

THIS GIVES IT A MASSIVE ADVANTAGE WHEN HUNTING.

BUT FOR NOW, REST IS ON THE MINDS OF BOTH PREDATOR AND PREY,

MAKING FOR A PEACEFUL AFTERNOON.

WHEN WE COME BACK, WE VISIT A CREATURE OF THE NIGHT

THAT NEEDS NO INTRODUCTION.

STICK AROUND FOR MORE EARTH ODYSSEY RIGHT AFTER THIS.

.

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

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: DEEP IN THE TROPICAL ISLANDS OF THE CARIBBEAN,

THERE'S ONE TYPE OF MAMMAL, INDIGENOUS,

THAT'S ROLE IS PARAMOUNT TO THE SURVIVAL

OF A VAST ARRAY OF BOTH PLANT AND ANIMAL SPECIES.

A MAJOR CONTRIBUTOR TO THE PROLIFERATION OF SEEDS

AND THE POLLINATION OF PLANTS, BATS ARE A KEY SPECIES

IN THIS ENVIRONMENT.

THEY ARE, IN A WAY, THE FOREST'S LITTLE HELPERS.

THE ANTILLEAN FRUIT-EATING BAT LIVES ONLY HERE.

THESE MEDIUM-SIZED BATS LIVE IN TIGHTLY KNIT GROUPS

IN GROTTOS AND CAVES UPSIDE DOWN.

WHEN THEIR WINGS ARE SPREAD, THEY HAVE A SPAN

OF ALMOST TWO FEET, DESPITE WEIGHING

LESS THAN TWO OUNCES.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THEIR WINGS ARE, IN FACT, THEIR HANDS,

BUT BETWEEN THEIR ELONGATED FINGERS,

THERE'S A FINE MEMBRANE OF SKIN WHICH ALLOWS THEM TO FLY.

AS NIGHT FALLS, THESE LITTLE FINGER WINGS

ALLOW THEM TO FLY OFF TO FEED ON SWEET FRUIT

AND NECTARS RICH IN SUGAR, THE PERFECT FUEL FOR THEIR

METABOLISM.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: THESE SMALL MAMMALS MAY UNDENIABLY BE DEPENDENT

ON THE FOREST, BUT THEY RETURN THE FAVOR

BY BEING THE MOST LOYAL ALLIES TO THE ISLAND'S

FLOWERING PLANTS.

THIS CARIBBEAN TREE IS THE PERFECT EMBODIMENT

OF THE ALLIANCE BETWEEN PLANTS AND BATS.

THE KAPOK TREE IS A VEGETAL MONSTER.

A NATIVE OF THIS PART OF THE WORLD,

IT DOMINATES ITS REALM LIKE A MONARCH.

ITS TRUNK GIVES IT AN ANIMAL-LIKE APPEARANCE,

AND ALONG WITH ITS INTIMIDATING SPINES,

HAS GIVEN IT PRIDE OF PLACE AT THE HEART OF CARIBBEAN

BELIEFS AND LEGENDS, WHERE IT'S OFTEN

ASSOCIATED WITH DEATH AND THE SPIRIT WORLD,

A TREE WHICH IS BOTH VENERATED AND FEARED.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: IN THE DRY SEASON, THE KAPOK LOSES ALL OF ITS LEAVES.

IT THEN STARTS TO FLOWER.

DURING THE DAY, ONLY THE FULLY CLOSED BUDS ARE VISIBLE.

THE TREE KING HAS DECIDED TO WAIT UNTIL NIGHT FALLS

BEFORE ITS RETINUE OF LITTLE CREATURES TAKES THE STAGE.

IT'S NOW DARKEST NIGHT, AND HUNDREDS OF BATS

FLUTTER FRANTICALLY AROUND THE GIANT TREE.

THIS IS A DIFFERENT SPECIES OF BAT

COMMON THROUGHOUT THE CARIBBEAN.

THE JAMAICAN FRUIT BAT HAS STAKED EVERYTHING

ON THE KAPOK TREE.

THEY'RE ALL WAITING FOR ONE THING,

FOR THE FLOWERS TO FINALLY OPEN.

THAT'S WHEN THE MAGIC HAPPENS.

[MUSIC]

DYLAN: WITH THE FLOWERS NOW ACCESSIBLE, THE FRUIT BATS THROW

THEMSELVES ONTO THE BLOOMS, GREEDILY LAPPING THE NECTAR

WITH THEIR TONGUES.

ALMOST EVERY VISIT IS AN OPPORTUNITY.

THE FRUIT BATS GUZZLE THE SWEET LIQUID FROM THE TREE,

AND IN RETURN, THEY POLLINATE EACH AND EVERY FLOWER.

TIME GOES BY, BUT THE FRENZY DOESN'T END.

THE BAT'S BROWN PELT IS NOW STAINED WITH

THE FLOWER'S POLLEN.

THE HARVEST IS TURNING INTO A PARTY.

ON THIS CARIBBEAN NIGHT, THE FRUIT AND NECTAR-EATING BATS

ARE PERFORMING AN ACT CRUCIAL TO THE SURVIVAL

AND WELL-BEING OF THESE TROPICAL ECOSYSTEMS.

THEIR ROLE, WHILE ALMOST INVISIBLE TO US,

IS NONETHELESS VITAL.

WITHOUT THE BATS, THESE TROPICAL FORESTS

WOULD BE QUITE DIFFERENT.

THESE TROPICAL FORESTS COULD NOT SURVIVE

WITHOUT THE WORK OF BATS.

AND THEY'RE COMMITTED TO THEIR TASK

WITHOUT BATTING AN EYE.

AS WE LOOK BACK AT THE UNIQUE, WEIRD,

AND WONDERFUL ANIMALS WE'VE SEEN TODAY,

IT'S CLEAR THAT IT TAKES ALL KINDS OF LOOKS AND TALENTS

TO SURVIVE IN THE WILD.

WHILE EACH MAY HAVE THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL WAY OF GETTING BY,

ONLY TOGETHER CAN THEY CREATE A THRIVING ECOSYSTEM

THAT SUPPORTS SUCH A RICH AND DIVERSE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ALONG ON TODAY'S JOURNEY.

WE'LL SEE YOU NEXT TIME ON EARTH ODYSSEY.

[MUSIC]