Animal Babies
Three wildlife camera operators follow six iconic baby animals as they face the challenges of surviving their first year on Earth.
Animal Babies introduces young learners to the fascinating world of baby animals and the ways they grow, learn, and survive. Through engaging wildlife stories, children discover animal behavior, life cycles, habitats, adaptations, and the important relationships between young animals and their parents.
Ages 4–10
In Mongoose Clan Wars, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains that some animals may give their lives in order to protect their territory. The video shows a mongoose family that is threatened by the presence of another family of mongooses. The narrator explains that if the two groups see each other, there will likely be a deadly battle since mongooses are known to fight to the death for territory. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Dangerous Life for Fur Seal Pups, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a baby seal faces danger and risks getting separated from its mother on an island in the South Atlantic. Additionally, large bull seals fight in their midst, trampling baby seals. Fortunately, the battered pup survives and uses scent and sound to find its mother again. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Baby Gorilla Learns New Skills, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how a three-year-old mountain gorilla has no one to show her how to build a nest after losing her mother. During the cold night, other baby gorillas snuggle their mothers in nests. Instead, the three-year-old finds comfort in the snuggles of her father on the ground to stay warm. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Arctic Chicks and Ducklings Stay Safe, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby birds and ducklings that live in the High Arctic have to use creative strategies to evade wolves before they are able to fly. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In The Green Turtle Race to the Shore, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how hatchlings emerge from under the sand on Raine Island off the Great Barrier Reef. A lone hatchling is easy prey, but soon many others join it. As they race to the shore, herons prey upon them. One lucky turtle is able to fight back and escape the jaws of the heron. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Otter Pups Learn to Swim, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a baby otter learns to swim in the Pantanal, Brazil’s tropical wetland. While the mother transports the pup gently in her mouth, the large otter family helps support the pup when it gets tired and sounds an alarm when a jaguar is spotted. The mother returns the pup to the safety of the den. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Tufted Capuchin Babysitters, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a tufted capuchin mother discovers there’s honey in a bee’s nest at the top of a canyon. In order to climb to the top, she enlists the help of another capuchin to watch her baby while she makes the climb for the honey. However, the babysitter abandons the young capuchin after she gives in to the temptation to join in on the search for honey. The young capuchin finds itself alone and vulnerable, however after a call to its mother for help, it is quickly reunited with her and out of danger. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Giant Otters: Reaching Adulthood, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how young giant otters begin to transition from relying on their otter parents to being independent adults. As the otters grow, they take on more responsibility for finding their own food. The end of the clip describes how other young animals become more self-reliant in their water habitats. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Cheetah Cubs and Camouflage, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes intense rivalry among predators competing for food in the Serengeti. Cheetah cubs are at risk of being killed by lions and hyenas. They rely on their camouflage to protect them until they can develop speed to outrun danger. The cheetah cub and serval kittens play fight to learn self-defense skills. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Baby Wildebeest's First Steps, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a wildebeest is born on the savanna, which stretches across almost half of Africa and is home to millions of animals. The baby wildebeest immediately begins learning to walk. By the end of the day, it is one of the fastest land animals. The wildebeest uses speed, constant movement, and safety in numbers to avoid predators. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Young Animals Learn to Find Food, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how young animals must learn to provide their own food to become independent. Grizzly bear cubs in British Columbia learn to fish for salmon by watching their mother. Capuchin monkeys in Brazil use rocks to smash palm nuts and sticks to pull sap from inside trees. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In North American Wood Ducklings Take a Trust Fall, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby ducks hatch inside the hollow of a tree over 60 feet above the ground. Though they are safe there, they must get down to the water to feed. The mother calls to them from the water below and the babies, unable to fly, survive the long fall by stretching out their bodies. They then waddle to the water where they are safe. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Mongoose Clan Wars, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains that some animals may give their lives in order to protect their territory. The video shows a mongoose family that is threatened by the presence of another family of mongooses. The narrator explains that if the two groups see each other, there will likely be a deadly battle since mongooses are known to fight to the death for territory. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Dangerous Life for Fur Seal Pups, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a baby seal faces danger and risks getting separated from its mother on an island in the South Atlantic. Additionally, large bull seals fight in their midst, trampling baby seals. Fortunately, the battered pup survives and uses scent and sound to find its mother again. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Baby Gorilla Learns New Skills, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how a three-year-old mountain gorilla has no one to show her how to build a nest after losing her mother. During the cold night, other baby gorillas snuggle their mothers in nests. Instead, the three-year-old finds comfort in the snuggles of her father on the ground to stay warm. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Arctic Chicks and Ducklings Stay Safe, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby birds and ducklings that live in the High Arctic have to use creative strategies to evade wolves before they are able to fly. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In The Green Turtle Race to the Shore, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how hatchlings emerge from under the sand on Raine Island off the Great Barrier Reef. A lone hatchling is easy prey, but soon many others join it. As they race to the shore, herons prey upon them. One lucky turtle is able to fight back and escape the jaws of the heron. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Otter Pups Learn to Swim, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a baby otter learns to swim in the Pantanal, Brazil’s tropical wetland. While the mother transports the pup gently in her mouth, the large otter family helps support the pup when it gets tired and sounds an alarm when a jaguar is spotted. The mother returns the pup to the safety of the den. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Tufted Capuchin Babysitters, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a tufted capuchin mother discovers there’s honey in a bee’s nest at the top of a canyon. In order to climb to the top, she enlists the help of another capuchin to watch her baby while she makes the climb for the honey. However, the babysitter abandons the young capuchin after she gives in to the temptation to join in on the search for honey. The young capuchin finds itself alone and vulnerable, however after a call to its mother for help, it is quickly reunited with her and out of danger. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Giant Otters: Reaching Adulthood, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how young giant otters begin to transition from relying on their otter parents to being independent adults. As the otters grow, they take on more responsibility for finding their own food. The end of the clip describes how other young animals become more self-reliant in their water habitats. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Cheetah Cubs and Camouflage, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes intense rivalry among predators competing for food in the Serengeti. Cheetah cubs are at risk of being killed by lions and hyenas. They rely on their camouflage to protect them until they can develop speed to outrun danger. The cheetah cub and serval kittens play fight to learn self-defense skills. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In A Baby Wildebeest's First Steps, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how a wildebeest is born on the savanna, which stretches across almost half of Africa and is home to millions of animals. The baby wildebeest immediately begins learning to walk. By the end of the day, it is one of the fastest land animals. The wildebeest uses speed, constant movement, and safety in numbers to avoid predators. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In Young Animals Learn to Find Food, narrator Gordon Buchanan explains how young animals must learn to provide their own food to become independent. Grizzly bear cubs in British Columbia learn to fish for salmon by watching their mother. Capuchin monkeys in Brazil use rocks to smash palm nuts and sticks to pull sap from inside trees. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.
In North American Wood Ducklings Take a Trust Fall, narrator Gordon Buchanan describes how baby ducks hatch inside the hollow of a tree over 60 feet above the ground. Though they are safe there, they must get down to the water to feed. The mother calls to them from the water below and the babies, unable to fly, survive the long fall by stretching out their bodies. They then waddle to the water where they are safe. This video is excerpted from BBC's Animal Babies, a heartwarming show that follows the first breaths, first steps, and first feeds of some adorable baby animals, revealing the challenges they face to survive in some of the toughest but most beautiful places on the planet.