The Rains Turn a Desert Into Paradise
In The Rains Turn a Desert Into Paradise, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains how water that has traveled a thousand miles arrives in the Okavango region of the Kalahari Desert. The water transforms the parched desert into a lush paradise teeming with life. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: Describe the changes that water brings to the Okavango.
A: The parched, barren desert becomes filled with water and green plants. It drives out underground insects, which attracts birds. Many animals flock to the fertile area.
Q: How do floodwaters and migrating animals impact one another?
A: The floodwaters drive out insects and water vegetation for animals to eat. The animals form pathways that allow water to flow further.
Q: Compare the lechwe antelope and the baboon when it comes to moving through the flooded Okavango.
A: The antelope is well-adapted to move through the water and, with its splayed hooves, can move quickly through the water. Baboons are more reluctant, slow, and clumsy in the water.
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In The Sandgrouse's Daily Search for Water, narrator Sir David Attenborough describes the extraordinary efforts of a male sandgrouse as he embarks on a treacherous 200-kilometer round trip each day through the Kalahari Desert to find water for his chicks. Along the way, he faces dangerous predators like the goshawk, and endures the heat of the desert. 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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In Desert Pangolins' Quest for Food, narrator Sir David Attenborough reveals how pangolins find nutritious food in the harsh, dry environment of the desert. They use their keen sense of smell to locate termite nests. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Seven Worlds, One Planet, a series featuring remarkable animal behavior from all seven continents.
In The Desperate Search for Water in the Desert, narrator Sir David Attenborough details the race for survival in one of the harshest environments on Earth. A mother elephant and her calf, separated from their herd by a dust storm, press on toward a life-giving river delta. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.