Wildlife on Two Episode Guide

Episode Guide

Wildlife on Two: Season 16

• Season 16 Episode 4: Odd Noses of Borneo

  David Attenborough presents a documentary exploring the pendulous nose of the male proboscis monkey, one of the most bizarre creatures to inhabit the suffocating mangrove swamps of Borneo. Scientists are at a loss to explain the evolution of such a feature, which can grow so large that the monkey has to hold it out of the way to eat

Wildlife on Two:

• Advance of the Armadillo

  The nine-banded armadillo is a clumsy, short-sighted animal which seems ill-equipped for survival. Yet, as David Attenborough reveals, in less than 100 years it's become one of the commonest creatures in the southern United States, even winning the honour of being the state mascot of Texas

• Alligator Hole

  The alligators of the Florida Everglades, which battle for supremacy as the dry season forces them to compete for their prey of fish, birds and turtles

• Amorous Amphibians

  Documentary chronicling the work of scientists Nick Davies and Tim Halliday as they explore the mating habits of amphibians, revealing why male toads croak when touched and where female newts lay their eggs. David Attenborough narrates

• Babies Beware

  David Attenborough introduces an insight into the lives of India's Hanuman langur monkeys as they fight, brawl and kidnap each other's offspring. Filmed in the ancient city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan, this glimpse into primate behaviour shows how the youngest members of the colony are the most at risk

• Backstreet Bandits

  Footage of North America's urban raccoons, adaptable rogues which give birth in houses and garages, cross the cities through storm drains and scavenge in dustbins. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Bands on the Run

  David Attenborough reveals how the banded mongoose - a relative of the meerkat, survives and thrives in the East African grasslands. Highly vulnerable to predators, these characterful creatures live in large groups for protection and share the responsibilities of rearing offspring in a complex pattern of co-operation

• Barrels of Crude and Wallaroos

  David Attenborough travels to Barrow Island off Australia to reveal how nature and industry can live together in harmony as wallaroos crowd in the shade of oil tanks

• Bat-Eared Fox

  David Attenborough narrates this documentary following the trials and tribulations faced by a family of bat-eared foxes living in the wilds of the Kalahari Desert. With five cubs to raise, the mother faces an interminable struggle to keep them all alive in one of the harshest environments on Earth

• Baywatch - A Dolphin's View

  A dolphin's-eye view of the rich variety of marine life thriving in the shallow waters off the coast of Western Australia. Cameras delve beneath the sun-kissed surf and venture into a strange underwater world where huge manta rays perform acrobatic displays, rare dugongs congregate to feed on seaweed, and lobsters appear to dance across the seabed. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Bear Crime - Caught in the Act

  North America is suffering another crime wave, due to the feeding habits of grizzly bears. Faced with a need to consume 20,000 calories a day and depleting natural sources, they take the fast food option - scavenging on urban rubbish tips. Despite 'bear-proof' skips, the cunning creatures usually manage to enjoy a feast of leftovers - or alternatively poach salmon from fishermen

• Bears on the Black Run

  The story of two female black bears in Whistler, Canada's largest ski resort, as they struggle to raise their cubs in very different surroundings. One mother adapts to a city environment, roaming around golf courses and even hotel balconies, while the other chooses a more wild existence. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Beauty and the Beast

  David Attenborough reports on the kodkod, oncilla and margay : three lesser-known South American cat breeds whose numbers were threatened by illegal activity during the 1960s and 1970s. Although now protected by law, an unscrupulous trade in the animals still flourishes

• Beavers - The Master Builders?

  David Attenborough examines the phenomenal construction abilities of the beaver, which combines the skills of a lumberjack, carpenter and hydro-engineer. He compares the industrious creature to humans to find out who deserves the title of master builder

• The Bee Team

  A close-up examination of the survival techniques of five Kenyan bee-eaters as they struggle against countless dangers. The attacks on the colourful birds by snakes and mongooses were something the production crew had expected - but the devious behaviour of the chicks was a complete surprise

• The Beetles : Record Breakers

  David Attenborough explores the extraordinary varieties of British beetle inhabiting a single English village, including glow-worms that flash to catch a mate, bugs that bury bats to make a home and those that like a tipple of beer

• The Besieged : War of the Termites

  David Attenborough exposes the underground world of termites, uncovering an army of more than three million soldiers in a nest, all ruled by a single queen. The success of these colonies reveals a complex social structure to rival that of humans : all the more amazing considering the insects live under constant attack from predators and natural disasters

• Birds of the Sun God

  The three-million-year interdependent relationship between plants and hummingbirds, creatures which display the most colourful plumage and have the fastest wingbeat of any birds, allowing them to hover and fly backwards

• Blubber Lovers

  Spectacular glimpse into the life of California's elephant seals. Weighing seven times more than a cow, these huge mammals feed at record-breaking depths but face constant danger from the predatory great white shark

• The Body Snatchers

  Insight into the contrasting behaviour of nomadic killer ants in the Panama rainforest, which mercilessly wipe out their victims, and their cousins in North America, which kidnap larvae and raise them to feed and care for their masters

• The Butterfly: Beauty or the Beast?

  David Attenborough investigates the underestimated powers of the butterfly, an insect whose capacity for brutality and chemical warfare - not to mention its skill at turning its enemies into bodyguards - is disguised beneath a beautiful and fragile veneer

• Clowns of the Air

  Spectacular footage of puffins, showing them nesting in their underground burrows and hunting fish underwater

• Coral Reef - Malice in Wonderland

  Footage of a Red Sea coral reef by day and night, featuring the fierce battles played out between its inhabitants, as shoals of silversides turn themselves into mirrors to dazzle would-be predators, flute-mouths stage smash and grab raids and squadrons of lion fish patrol a rusting wreck in search of food

• Crab Claw Wars

  The evolutionary cycle of the crab, one of nature's great survivors, is explored. For every challenge that nature has thrown at it, the crab has found a solution - from digging wells, adopting shells and developing lungs. David Attenborough narrates the evolution of this species that has even enabled it to survive in the desert

• Crowned Lemurs

  A family of Madagascan lemurs are forced to find new homes during the country's worst drought in years. Guided by their heavily pregnant leader, they set off in search of shelter and fresh water, braving danger as they go

• Deadly Liaisons

  Insight into the complicated co-existence of the highly venomous giant black tiger snake and its apparent victim the muttonbird, revealing the strange twist of fate whereby the snake becomes the bird's protector

• Devilfish

  Award-winning film chronicling the life-cycle of the giant octopus, including rare footage of the enormous creatures hunting, fighting and caring for their young in their North Pacific home

• Dolphin Diaries

  An insight into a community of intelligent, affectionate and violent dolphins in the Caribbean. The documentary reveals how mothers teach and discipline their babies and 'teenage' dolphins indulge in brawling as they learn to fight in gangs. Narrated by David Attenborough

• The Dolphin Diaries

  Insight into a group of dolphins in the Caribbean as the mothers teach and discipline their young, and the older ones learn to fight in gangs

• Dragonfly - Beauty or Beast?

  The life of the emperor dragonfly, often seen as one of the great beauties of nature but known to be one of the most fearsome creatures in the insect world. It can aggressively defend its territory from intruders, and dominates those around it with a reign of terror. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Dragons

  David Attenborough examines lizard species that display many of the characteristics of mythical fire-breathing dragons, including amazing colours, spiked armour and the ability to fly

• Dragons of the Galapagos

  The life of the Galapagos Islands' land iguanas, which migrate up the steep slopes of the active volcano Fernandina to lay their eggs in its steaming core, and the marine-dwelling variety which live on the shores

• The Eagle Empire

  Account of how the sea eagle is making a comeback across northern Europe and Scotland after a century of dwindling numbers. Wildlife photographer Mike Richards records the birds swooping down to catch fish, making a meal of an unattended kittiwake chick and picking up scraps left behind by a pod of killer whales

• Earwig

  Insight into the battle for survival faced by earwigs on a Bristol allotment, focusing on a female orphaned at birth and constantly threatened by chemicals and predators, including mole crickets, thrushes and hedgehogs. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Eat a Beaver, Save a Tree

  Profile of the beaver as it fells trees to build dams and lodges, revealing how its activities bring it into conflict with man, who see its environmental engineering as a nuisance rather than a wonder of the natural world

• Flying Foresters

  David Attenborough narrates a study of the fruit bat, a creature which makes millions of dollars for man by pollinating his fruit and trees. They may be the rainforests' only chance for regrowth, but there's a catch - the creature itself is growing increasingly rare and facing its own battle against extinction

• Gadgets Galore - Cephalopods

  The cuttlefish, squid and octopus families, known collectively as cephalopods, which use deception and cunning to evade danger, and come equipped with an array of 'gadgets' to help them survive. David Attenborough narrates

• Gannets - The Storm Birds

  The life story of the gannet, one of Britain's most common sea-birds, revealing its remarkable fishing ability as it covers vast distances in search of its prey and plunges into the waves at 60mph to feed. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Gelada Baboons - The Battles of Braveheart

  The story of one gelada baboon's struggle to protect his harem of attention-demanding females from packs of rival males in Ethiopia's Simien mountains. The monkey in question has been losing his position of power for some time, and his part in the death of a young baboon has led the females to reject him for younger, stronger males. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Giant Otters: Wolves of the River

  David Attenborough narrates an investigation into the world of the giant otter, focusing on a family's fight for survival in the Peruvian Amazon as they hunt for fish and evade predators. The formidable creatures can weigh as much as an Alsatian dog, and their hunting patterns resemble those of wolves

• Giraffe: The Impossible Animal

  David Attenborough studies the giraffe, the world's tallest animal. Its long neck and legs give it one of the most recognisable silhouettes of the natural world, but its unique shape isn't without its problems. How does it sleep, fight or drink with a head five metres from the ground? The film follows a group in East Africa, revealing all about the war between the animals and the trees they graze on and how they have helped sculpt the African landscape

• Global Swarming

  David Attenborough examines swarms of animals, revealing how they organise themselves to act in unison. Hordes of crabs, jellyfish, birds and butterflies are recorded operating like one giant creature. There is also footage of the devastation more aggressive swarms, such as locusts and mosquitoes, can cause

• A Graze with Danger

  Cameras follow the gazelles of east Africa as they leave their parched grass plains and go in search of fresh food. The journey is hazardous and deadly for many, as the courageous herd face threats from predators including baboons, lions and jackals

• Gremlins of the Night

  David Attenborough delves into the nocturnal world of the bushbaby. Studies in Africa and Asia lead the acclaimed zoologist to the discovery of a species that had previously escaped the prying eyes of man

• Haunt of the Fishing Owl

  The habits of birds that trawl the waters of the Okavango in Africa, including eagles, kingfishers and the nocturnal fishing owl which boasts a five-foot wingspan. Narrated by David Attenborough

• The Haunted Huntress

  A cheetah and her cub try to survive on the inhospitable African plains - but find it an uphill struggle despite being among the supreme athletes of the animal world. David Attenborough narrates

• Hippos Out of Water

  The life of the mighty hippopotamus, a clumsy giant on land, but graceful and swift in the water. Specially made underwater cameras provide a unique view of the habits and movements of these enormous creatures

• Hyrax: Little Brother of the Elephant?

  Insight into the world of the hyrax, a curious African mammal which could be a distant cousin of the elephant. Sporting suction-cup feet, the animals are able to scale sheer rock faces with ease, but face enemies in the form of black eagles, leopards, pythons and baboons

• The Immortal Salamander

  David Attenborough narrates a study of salamanders, the brightly coloured newt-like creatures found all over America. Among the highlights is a mass mating ritual in which torrential rain inspires thousands of amorous amphibians to congregate for a night of passion

• Itaye and the Fig Tree Troop

  Documentary following the fortunes of baby baboon Itaye, who has to use his wits and learn new skills to survive after his mother is killed by a hungry leopard and his father is ousted as leader of their 60-strong tree-top community. David Attenborough narrates

• Itaye and the Fig Tree Troop

  Following the fortunes of baby baboon Itaye, who has to rely on his wits and learn new skills to survive after his mother is killed by a hungry leopard and his father is ousted as leader of their 60-strong tree-top community. David Attenborough narrates

• Kalahari Bigfoot

  The disproportionately huge feet of the small springhare are put to the test as it leaps to safety from giant eagle owls, black-backed jackals and caracal cats which stalk the vulnerable creature by cover of the Kalahari night

• King Croc

  An insight into crocodiles and alligators, revealing why these animals were able to survive the greatest cataclysms in nature, including the extinction of the dinosaurs. They have also weathered extreme climate change, including the ravages of the last ice age, to become some of the planet's most enduring residents, proving virtually indestructible after more than 200 million years on Earth. Narrated by David Attenborough

• King of Kingfishers

  David Attenborough narrates this documentary chronicling a global search for the ultimate kingfisher, from the arid plains of the African savannah to the frozen landscapes of northern Japan

• Kingdom of the Crabs

  David Attenborough witnesses the awesome sight of 130 million red crabs marching across Christmas Island in the Indian Ocean to spawn in the sea. He also casts an eye over other resident crustaceans, including scavenging robber crabs, which use their mighty pincers to tear animal carcasses limb from limb

• Ladybird, Ladybird

  The life of the humble ladybird, a colourful beetle common in most British gardens throughout summer, whose cheerful appearance belies its ferocious behaviour toward its natural prey, the greenfly. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Last of the Rhinos

  A pregnant rhino is returned to the wild 10 years after being abandoned at birth by her mother - in an area where black rhinos are on the brink of extinction because of poaching for their highly valued horns. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Lifesize

  David Attenborough explores the significance of size in the animal kingdom, exploring what governs and limits it, and asking why no other creatures have since grown as large as the dinosaurs

• The Lion's King

  Insight into the flora and fauna of East Africa's Ol Doinyo Lengai, a region more than five million years old. Here, volcanic ash supports the world's greatest concentration of life, including zebras, lions and pink flamingos inhabiting a chain of soda lakes

• Little Leviathans

  David Attenborough narrates this insight into the close-knit family units of pilot whales, as they suckle their young and see off would-be threats

• Lost Lakes of the Pacific

  The ecosystems of the tropical Pacific, featuring a world inhabited by sharks, jellyfish and a host of seldom-seen creatures, as well as beautiful coral reefs and an extraordinary maze of submarine caves

• March of the Flame Birds

  Award-winning film by Tim Liversedge, charting the progress of a flock of 40,000 flightless baby flamingos as they trek across the Kalahari desert in search of water

• Meerkats Divided

  David Attenborough narrates a profile of meerkats, filmed in South Africa. The action follows an extended family as they deal with jealousy, bullying and dangerous neighbours - situations more appropriate to the script of a soap opera. With rebellion, mugging and infidelity rife among the group, can they come together to survive?

• Meerkats United

  David Attenborough narrates this profile of meerkats in the hostile landscape of southern Africa's Kalahari desert as they engage in teamwork to combat adversaries including snakes, scorpions, jackals and their number one enemy - rival gangs

• Monitor Lizard

  The monitor lizard of Africa, which has a reputation for stealing food from under the noses of humans, as well as lions, crocodiles and other dangerous creatures, despite the perils involved. Narrated by David Attenborough

• A Monkey for All Seasons

  The life of the Japanese macaque monkey, which has a penchant for eating sushi and shellfish, taking hot baths, washing its food and grooming deer. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Monkeys of the Rock

  David Attenborough narrates this insight into the complex social structure governing the monkeys of Gibraltar. First brought to the Rock from their native Africa, the Barbary macaques were once pets of the British garrison but a few escaped, creating the colony that exists to this day. However, the film also reveals that their apparently thuggish behaviour conceals a strong bond with their young

• The Mouse's Tale

  David Attenborough narrates a natural history film about mice living in and around a cottage in the South of England

• Mustang

  Insight into the diverse lives of the world's flora and fauna

• Nature's Neons

  The natural light displays made by creatures such as fireflies, which illuminate night skies and the depths of the ocean. From wildest Asia to suburban America, these strange animals put on spectacular shows to rival even Piccadilly Circus

• Night of the Leopard

  How the female leopard uses the cover of darkness to her advantage as she hunts her prey of baboons and antelope in the African night

• Nightgliders

  David Attenborough explores the world of flying squirrels, revealing how they use folds of skin stretching from wrist to ankle to glide through treetops at great speed. He meets people who share a love of these mysterious creatures, including one woman who whistles and sings to attract them, and a Texan who has made his living by exporting captured specimens to Japan

• Noses of Nanctite

  An insight into the fascinating world of the coati, an animal that is all nose and tail, looks like a cross between a raccoon and a glove puppet and lives in a female-dominated society in the forests of Costa Rica. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Oasis

  David Attenborough looks at the scale and variety of human and animal life surrounding an oasis

• Orang-utans

  A glimpse into the world of the orang-utan, one of mankind's closest cousins which spends its entire life 100ft up in the rainforest canopy. This precarious balancing act has meant these hairy apes have remained relatively elusive : until now. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Orang-Utans Out on a Limb

  David Attenborough introduces the world of the orang-utans which can grow up to 16st and live high in the canopies of Borneo's rainforests

• Ospreys: The Fish Hawks

  A pair of ospreys, the only birds of prey to feed exclusively on fish, raise a brood among the coastal waters of Newfoundland and mainland Canada. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Otters - The Truth

  David Attenborough narrates a look at the challenges facing otters, as they struggle to make the most of the limited food and space available in Britain's lakes and rivers. Although these beloved mammals are rising in numbers, their lives are still fraught with danger - and rearing cubs is a particularly tricky task, especially as female otters are only able to give birth twice during their lives

• Pandas Aren't Always Cuddly

  Threats to the giant panda, whose acquired taste for bamboo has left it vulnerable to the risk of starvation and forced it to live a lazy life to conserve energy

• Parrot Fashion

  David Attenborough examines the rights and wrongs of taking parrots from their natural environment and keeping them as exotic pets, asking whether they benefit from a life of enforced domesticity

• Piranhas

  David Attenborough studies the life of the South American piranha, which in spite of its fearsome reputation is largely harmless

• Possums : Tales of the Unexpected

  David Attenborough examines the amazing survival instincts of possums, Australia's cute nocturnal marsupials, as they display their ability to nest in just about any location, from tropical rainforests to the concrete jungles of Melbourne and Brisbane : but have they become a pest?

• Punk Puffins and Hard Rock

  The birds of St Lazaria, a minute, volcanic island off the coast of Alaska which is home to half a million puffins and storm petrels. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Pussies Galore

  David Attenborough narrates an account of the lives of feral cats inhabiting Trajan's Forum in Rome, where power struggles frequently erupt. The resident dominant male, dubbed Caesar, occupies a tenuous position of power, with rival Brutus constantly plotting his downfall. Livia attempts to breed again after the death of her last litter, while her mother Mina is the focus of a great deal of male attention

• Pussies Galore

  David Attenborough narrates an account of the lives of feral cats inhabiting Trajan's Forum in Rome, where power struggles frequently erupt. The resident dominant male, dubbed Caesar, occupies a tenuous position of power, with rival Brutus constantly plotting his downfall

• Pygmy Chimpanzees

  A fascinating insight into humans' closest relative : the pygmy chimpanzee or Bonobo : shot on location in a remote part of the forests of Zaire. This film focuses on a young orphan as it learns to survive life in the dense undergrowth

• Rainbow Warriors

  The ever-changing world of chameleons, which use their ability to change skin colour and pattern to communicate with others and to act as camouflage against predators

• The Rat Race

  David Attenborough narrates this glimpse into the world of the rat, a creature whose extraordinary adaptability has nevertheless made it one of the most successful animals on Earth. As well as being able to leap two metres to escape predators and mount daring raids on houses, the much-reviled rodent is also noted for its devotion to family life

• The Ravening Hordes

  David Attenborough investigates the phenomenon of plagues of living creatures, presenting astounding footage of a 50-million-strong flock of blackbirds, property teeming with mice, and the devastation caused by swarming locusts

• The Real Macaw

  David Attenborough explores the often entertaining behaviour of the macaw, an intelligent bird with a lifespan comparable to humans. He reveals there's more to these colourful parrots than meets the eye

• Reef Encounter

  Insight into sea turtles living alongside fish that throw stones, crabs which use nets and sharks that get chased around one of the world's most spectacular coral reefs. David Attenborough narrates as reptiles bulldoze for food, providing a feast for some lucky fish

• Reefwise

  Cameras explore the undersea world of an Indonesian coral reef, revealing the threats that lurk in this seemingly tranquil environment. Many of the fish that cluster around the reefs are predatory, but even the fiercest inhabitants must be wary of the sharks that roam the area. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Rockies and Rollers

  David Attenborough narrates this exploration of the wildlife found on the remote Falkland Islands, including sea lions and elephant seals dubbed lions and elephants by the residents : five species of penguin, albatrosses and 'Johnny Rooks', one of the rarest birds of prey in the world. The presenter reveals how all of these creatures are : in one way or another : dependent on the food-rich waters of the South Atlantic

• Sea Otters - The Clam Busters

  Insight into the lives of sea otters as they eat, sleep and rear their pups in the icy waters of the northern Pacific, looking at the feeding habits that have gained them a well-deserved reputation as 'clam busters'

• Shadow of the Hare

  Documentary connecting mythology with natural history by exploring the life cycle of the hare, answering questions about the origins of the Easter bunny along the way. David Attenborough presents

• Should Elephants Weep?

  Charting the annual journey made by herds of Asian elephants in India and an insight into the measures being taken to enable the animals to remain in the countryside. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Silvia the Star Tern

  David Attenborough reveals how Arctic terns fly from pole to pole twice every year, and follows one of the birds as it undertakes this epic journey

• Skyraider

  Photographer Ian McCarthy documents the life and habits of the peregrine falcon, a bird dubbed the most successful flying machine in the world, as it hunts along Britain's south-west coastline

• Small Cats, Serval Secrets

  Profile of the African serval cat, which uses its cunning to take on storks and drive away jackals in order to survive. David Attenborough follows a mother in Tanzania's Ngorongoro as she looks for food for her three kittens

• Space Age Reptiles

  David Attenborough unveils the gravity-defying world of geckos, reptiles with feet sticky enough to support an average child's weight. The science behind their adhesive ability has only recently been uncovered - and could be helpful to Nasa

• Spiders from Mars

  An insight into the abilities of jumping spiders, whose eyesight and behaviour make them so extraordinary. Although they can leap more than 100 times their own body length, it is their bizarre habits which shatter people's illusions of them as small, black creatures hanging from dusty webs

• Spirit of the Mustang

  David Attenborough narrates the story of North America's mustangs which roam the spectacular prairies of the Wild West, showing the hardy creatures as they live through severe weather conditions, engage in battles and encounter predatory mountain lions

• Springbok of the Kalahari

  The springbok of Africa's Kalahari desert, a graceful antelope with the ability to outrun a cheetah. The film follows one male as he waits alone for the herd's return and the chance to mate

• Squirrels Under Siege

  The plight of a family of Californian squirrels as the litter is left to its own devices while the mother forages for food - leaving the youngsters vulnerable to the threat of bobcats, badgers, coyotes, hawks and the deadly venomous rattlesnake

• Stoats in the Priory

  David Attenborough narrates the first ever film of wild stoats in Britain, focusing on a colony living among the ruins of Mount Grace priory in North Yorkshire. The fierce little creatures are seen hunting rabbits nearly six times their own size, swimming in the carp pond and navigating an underground drainage system

• The Storm Troop

  How a group of 30 capuchin monkeys struggle through the dense Venezuelan forest as the seasons change from wet to dry, facing deadly boa constrictors and ocelots. Narrated by David Attenborough.

• The Swarm

  The jellyfish is a delicate creature, but its sting makes it a deadly hunter. David Attenborough narrates its story, pondering why they form such huge swarms, a phenomenon that has invaded beaches and closed down power stations

• The Tale of the Big Bad Fox

  David Attenborough visits the Mendip Hills in Somerset to reveal the mysteries of the rural fox and examines its relationship with one of its main sources of food, rabbits, which aren't always the innocent victim

• The Tale Of the Peacock and the Tiger

  Insight into the lives of two of the most attractive creatures native to India : the tiger and its potential dinner, the spectacularly plumed peacock

• The Tale of the Pregnant Male

  In the bizarre world of the seahorse, it is the male which gives birth - and as this documentary shows, the creature exhibits some other strange behaviour patterns too

• They Came from the Sea

  How land crabs, once exclusive to the sea, are spawning in their millions, from the Caribbean to the Indian Ocean. As the crustacean armies tear up vegetation and cover the ground with their sheer numbers, how will man react to this unusual threat?

• Thunderbirds

  David Attenborough narrates a portrait of South Africa's ground hornbills, hunting birds with an unusually long life-span, which survive on a diet of snakes, hares and tortoises

• Tiger of the Highlands

  Documentary following Scotland's wildcats, one of the UK's few native animals that scientists know very little about

• The Transformers

  Documentary exploring the process of metamorphosis, revealing the remarkable changes that take place in dragonflies, frogs, butterflies, salamanders and barnacles

• Unearthing the Mole

  David Attenborough uses state-of-the-art photography to reveal the subterranean world of the mole, unearthing the secrets of its ability to thrive underground

• Uninvited Guests

  Documentary exploring how the damp, cold environment of vacated homes becomes a desirable residence for wild animals. From spiders and slugs free from human interference to house mice in floorboards and wall cavities, the properties becomes a hive of activity which is often slow to subside once the human residents return. Presented by David Attenborough

• Up With the Gibbons

  Cameras follow a day in the life of three rival gibbon families in the jungle treetops of Thailand, as they face arguments with neighbours, sexual jealousies and an uppity adolescent son

• Wanted Alive

  The black-footed ferret was almost hunted into extinction, but the last 18 on earth were taken to a quarantined fortress near Laramie, USA, and six years and $6million later, the first batch is being returned to its original prairie. Will the creatures be able to hunt successfully and avoid being killed by eagles and coyotes? Narrated by David Attenborough

• Warthogs - Hogging the Limelight

  David Attenborough narrates a revealing portrait of warthogs in the wild in Kenya's Lake Nakuru, examining their relationships with other species and showing them to be far more intelligent and agile than they appear

• Water Vole - A Life on the Edge

  The allies and enemies of the water vole, whose versatility is offset by the precarious life it leads - one which is becoming increasingly fraught with danger. The cute creatures are captured in the midst of their busy and complex lives, where the threat from humans and hounds is never far away. Narrated by David Attenborough

• When the Fish Come In

  The spectacular coastal waters of Alaska, home to the little-known eulachon fish which swim upriver each year to spawn, running the gauntlet of predators such as humpback whales, bald eagles and seals. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Where Lemmings Dare

  Documentary chronicling a year in the life of the collared lemming, examining key moments in its development and exploding the myth of the rodent's suicidal tendencies. As this tale of derring-do in the natural world unfolds, it is revealed that the creature is, in fact, a born survivor

• White Birds of Winter

  Following the 5,000km migration of snow geese from the frozen wastes of the Arctic wilderness to the hi-tech world of the United States, using the most up-to-date filming techniques to capture the journey mythologised by native American tribes

• Who Really Killed Cock Robin?

  The robin often makes a picture of peace and tranquillity on Christmas cards, but this programme reveals how the innocent-looking bird leads a more violent existence as everyday tales tell of murder, incest, land-grabbing and seduction

• Wild Boar : King of the Wildwood

  Footage of the undisputed kings of Poland's forests, wild boar, as they plunder their leafy homeland for food in a constant bid for survival. Braving the country's severe winters in carefully constructed nests, these fearsome ancestors of modern pigs rear a new generation of offspring : a remarkable feat considering the demise of Britain's boar population some 300 years ago

• Wild Boar : King of the Wildwood

  Natural history film documenting wild boar as they struggle to survive the winter in Poland. Plus, why the animals died out in Britain 300 years ago

• The Wild Bush Budgie

  Examination of the antipodean origins of popular household pet the budgie, revealing how, though often seen as tiny, fragile creatures, the resourceful birds actually come from the arid, barren Australian Outback, where they flock together to survive

• Wild Scotland - Grouse, Hares and Stags

  Gordon Buchanan visits Scotland's moorlands at the height of summer, in search of the creatures that make the area their home, including grouse, hares, and spectacular bachelor herds of red deer stags

• Wildebeest - The Superherd

  The life of the wildebeest, a creature commonly regarded as stupid and lumbering, but which has emerged as one of Africa's success stories. Using a number of unusual strategies to keep its population flourishing, the species maintains a 'super herd' able to thrive on the plains seemingly without fear of predators. Narrated by David Attenborough

• Wolves

  Natural history film documenting the habits of wildlife species from all over the world

• Wolves in White

  Film chronicling two years in the life of a pack of snow-white arctic wolves on Ellesmere Island in Canada. Despite the hostility of the winter the pack produce pups, but their future looks bleak due to the scarcity of prey in the wilderness

• Zebras : The Trailblazers

  David Attenborough takes a look at the zebra, the most successful of all wild horses, and investigates why it is patterned in such a conspicuous way