12 of 17 results for "extreme environments"
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Spring in the Arctic Is a Changing Ice World

In Spring in the Arctic Is a Changing Ice World, narrator Sir David Attenborough highlights the changing ice world as the Arctic transitions from winter to spring. While many birds migrate south for warmth, eider ducks endure the extreme cold, relying on a rare opening in the ice called a "polynya" for survival. These ducks dive beneath the ice to feed on mussel beds, but they must act quickly before the powerful ocean currents return. Meanwhile, the availability of food in these polynyas attracts predators, adding another challenge to survival in this harsh environment. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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Snow on Mount Kenya

In Snow on Mount Kenya, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the remarkable adaptations of plants that survive the dramatic daily temperature swings on Mount Kenya, near the equator. Despite the tropical location, snow and freezing temperatures challenge life in this alpine environment. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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Lions of the Namib

In Lions of the Namib, narrator Sir David Attenborough narrates the struggles of lion prides surviving in one of the harshest environments on Earth — the Namib Desert. With little water and scarce prey, these lions must use strategy and patience to hunt, but even their best efforts often end in failure. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

Playlist (10 resources)
Arctic Adventures Video Playlist

Dive into the incredible world in Arctic with this thrilling BBC Learning Hub playlist! Discover how polar bears, musk oxen, and belugas survive in icy worlds, learn about changing seasons, and see how wildlife and ecosystems adapt to extreme environments and modern challenges.

Student Article
Six Out-of-This-World Experiments Recreating Space on Earth
The article "Six Out-of-This-World Experiments Recreating Space on Earth" from BBC Science Focus explores how scientists simulate space missions in remote and harsh environments. From the HI-SEAS habitat in Hawaii to NASA’s underwater NEEMO program, these experiments allow astronauts to practice survival skills, test space equipment, and prepare for life on Mars and beyond.
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Snow Petrels and Their Life in Antarctica

In Snow Petrels and Their Life in Antarctica, narrator Sir David Attenborough highlights these resilient birds as they make one of the longest migrations on Earth to find a nesting site in the heart of Antarctica. Petrels brave harsh conditions, defend their territory, and prepare for the challenge of raising their chicks. Once their eggs hatch, parents must make a 600-mile round trip to the ocean to gather food. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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The Vast Ice Worlds of Antarctica

In The Vast Ice Worlds of Antarctica, narrator Sir David Attenborough takes viewers on a journey through Antarctica’s frozen landscapes. Towering ice formations marked their entry into uncharted territory along with the overwhelming dominance of ice as they pressed forward. Antarctica, a vast continent as large as the United States, is home to 90% of the world’s ice. It remains a deserted and inhospitable world until spring arrives. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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How Earth's Extreme Environments Are Helping Scientists Search for Habitable Worlds

In How Earth's Extreme Environments Are Helping Scientists Search for Habitable Worlds, astrobiologist Louisa Preston explores how life in extreme environments on Earth can provide clues for finding life on Mars. Scientists believe that if life can survive in Earth’s harshest conditions, similar life could exist on Mars. This exploration not only advances our search for life on Mars but also helps us better understand the origins of life on Earth and may lead to future innovations in space exploration.

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Traversing Extreme Winters in Antarctica

In Traversing Extreme Winters in Antarctica, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how two animals, the Weddell seal and the emperor penguin, live in the extreme environment of Antarctica. Watch the aurora borealis in the northern and southern hemispheres. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Blue Planet, a definitive documentary series diving into the mysterious depths of the sea to discover the natural history of the world’s oceans and the rarely seen marine life that reside there.

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The World's Harshest Flamingo Colony

In The World’s Harshest Flamingo Colony, narrator Sir David Attenborough shows how flamingos survive in extreme environments. These flamingos live in the High Andes, where freezing temperatures, high altitudes, and intense UV radiation challenge their survival. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth II, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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Navigating the Dark Depths of the Ocean

In Navigating the Dark Depths of the Ocean, narrator David Attenborough highlights the deep ocean, where no sunlight reaches, and animals have adapted to survive in total darkness with minimal food. The Dumbo octopus glides effortlessly through the water, conserving energy. The vampire squid uses bioluminescent bacteria to create light patterns that confuse predators. In this extreme environment, creatures must rely on special adaptations to detect food, avoid danger, and navigate the dark depths. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.

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The Rocky Mountains of North America

In The Rocky Mountains of North America, narrator Douglas Henshall highlights the dynamic landscape of the Rockies. From the American Southwest to the Yukon, this extreme environment offers freedom, but also requires its inhabitants to have exceptional survival skills. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Mountains — Life Above the Clouds, which showcases wildlife thriving in the world's highest mountains.