Animal Atlas
Season 8
2011 • 25 Episodes
Episodes
1. Monkey Around
September 12, 2011
A look into the world of the “not great” apes—including the amazing singing siamangs, the sopranos of the forest—that are smaller than the great apes and often confused with monkeys.
2. Aquatic Mammals
September 19, 2011
A look at the rare mammals that live in the ocean, such as dolphins and whales, and how their food and environment make them appear and act unique.
3. Kingdom of Animal Names
September 26, 2011
The origin of animals’ names and the interesting stories behind their meanings.
4. Moving Right Along
October 3, 2011
An animal’s legs and feet can reveal information about its home, its food, and how it survives.
5. School of Mammals
October 10, 2011
What makes a mammal a mammal? Hint: It isn’t just feeding its young with milk. It’s a whole lot more.
6. From Home to Farm to Wild
October 17, 2011
A look into the animals that live in our homes and on our farms and how they became domesticated.
7. Animal Populations
October 24, 2011
A look into the reasons that some animal populations have dramatically decreased because of loss of habitat and climate change and what it means to be endangered.
8. Going Amphibious
October 31, 2011
A look at animals that live on land and underwater and how they survive submerged—from amphibians to turtles to swimming reptiles.
9. Animals of the Largest Continent
November 7, 2011
A look at the animals of Asia, such as tigers, great pandas, and great apes.
10. Feathered Friends
November 14, 2011
Grab your binoculars for this panoramic look at birds. We inspect their wings, beaks, feet, and how they fly. We’ll also ask why the famed penguin and ostrich are flightless.
11. Three Household Favorites
January 16, 2012
The most recognizable animals in America may be dogs, cats, and horses.
13. American Animals
January 30, 2012
A look at animals, both unusual and familiar, from North and South America and an investigation into how they differ by continent.
14. The Modern Zoo
February 6, 2012
A look at the evolution of zoos from the simple caging of animals for recreational viewing to the construction of animal habitats to give captive animals more physical and mental stimulation..
15. Surviving the Wild
February 13, 2012
How animals have adapted to survive the wild.
16. Bear Country
February 20, 2012
A look at bears from all over, including the polar bear, American black bear, the brown bear, and more.
17. The Horse, Of Course
April 9, 2012
Enter the world of the domestic horse. Learn where horses come from, who their relatives are in the wild, how they range in size, and what they have been bred to do.
18. Reptile Roundup
April 16, 2012
A rousing roundup of all the reptiles in the animal kingdom. First, what is a reptile? To answer that question, we have to travel way back in time, to the dinosaurs! We’ll also look at who qualifies as a reptile and who doesn’t. You might be surprised.
19. Cats and Dogs
April 23, 2012
What do cats and dogs have in common? For starters, they have both moved into our homes by the millions. But that’s not all. From super senses to predatory behavior, cats and dogs share characteristics that might surprise you. From the lion to the housecat, from the wolf to the Labrador retriever puppy, we’ll meet them all.
20. Happy Cat
April 30, 2012
Is our tame, playful domestic cat really related to the authoritative, wild lion of the African savanna? Absolutely. We’ll explore the incredible diversity of cats, and look at characteristics they all share, whether they’re pouncing on a ball of string or a wildebeest.
21. Dog Days
May 7, 2012
Has man’s best friend always been a friend? Ask the wolf. Dogs trace their history back to wild canines that man bred into loyal animals for working, hunting, and companionship.
22. Fish Friendly
May 14, 2012
Grab your fins and come swim with the fishes. No two fish species are alike, and some species called “fish” are anything but. Sounds fishy, doesn’t it? From the tropics to the cold, dark, rocky seafloor, we’ll shine a light on a variety of fins.
23. Head Cases
June 25, 2012
What’s in a head? What’s not? Animals sense the world through their heads, and judging from the vast variety of head shapes, sizes, and designs, they sense the world in unique ways.
24. What's in a Tail?
July 2, 2012
Sure, a tail can be long, short, fluffy, or hairless, but how do animals use their tails? Are they merely decorative? No way. We’ll show you the incredible ways that animals use their tails.
25. Symbolic Creatures
July 9, 2012
What does an animal mean? Tough question. Ever seen an eagle on a dollar bill? Or a bear on a state flag? How about a lion on a shield? Yes, for thousands of years man has made animals into symbols to convey a meaning. We’ll explore who’s a symbol and why.
26. Fleet of Foot, Wing, and Fin
July 16, 2012
Are you faster than a kangaroo? Can you outrun an elephant? What about a brown bear? Not so fast! In this episode, we’ll reveal the fastest and slowest creatures and explore animals’ need for speed.