Darwin's Amazing Animals

With their bulging eyes and huge mouth, Potoos are distinctive residents of Brazil's forests. They resemble stuffed animals more than real birds, and their funny-looking faces are attracting a lot of fans online. The camera crew gets up close to capture these birds for the first time as they display an astonishing array of facial expressions or camouflage themselves against a branch. And you'll witness how Potoos react when confronted by a predator. Discover the true nature of this remarkable bird that's creating quite a buzz.

Japanese pond turtles live in the rivers and ponds of Japan. Recently, however, the species has been designated as near threatened due to environmental changes and the presence of invasive species. However, during a six-month tracking project, researchers found that they actually take full advantage of the rich satoyama landscape areas. They feed on insects in rice paddies, fruits in the woods and tomatoes in the fields. The team also discovered that they even lay eggs in agricultural greenhouses. This episode looks through the eyes of these amazing creatures to reveal their surprising way of life.

The beautiful spotfin lionfish is also known as the "Lady of the Sea". Its flashy red and white stripes and long spines extending from the body make it instantly recognizable. But don't let the graceful appearance fool you. These fish are in fact extremely poisonous. The long fins contain venom that protects them against enemies. Their hunting style is also unique. They use their fins like feet to sneak up on their prey and swallow it whole with unbelievable speed. Shot in the waters of the Philippines, this episode reveals the amazingly deceptive nature of these graceful beauties.

The dry season is a desperate time in the African savanna. Herds of wild animals join great migrations in search of food and water. But that's not always the case for the lucky ones in Tanzania's Ruaha National Park. An incredible symbiotic relationship has formed between animals and plants, resulting in a year-round home for all. Our team travels to the 20,000-square-kilometer nature reserve in East Africa to discover what makes Ruaha National Park such a wondrous paradise.

Two-meter-long dinosaurs terrorizing Bangkok? Not exactly! Yes, water monitors are indeed big but pose no real threat if left alone. Actually, they're quite comfortable around people! Our team traveled to the Thai capital and found great numbers of these astonishing creatures in a major downtown park. Join us as we discover how they have adapted to their "urban kingdom", with surprising hunting skills and a knack for finding safe and comfy evening accommodations!

It's the world's fastest land animal. But we won't see any records broken in the African bush where the cheetah thrives. That's because this grand feline uses a host of other techniques in hunting down prey. Whether it's climbing trees for a better vantage point or advancing through the cover of vegetation to narrow the distance as much as possible, the cheetah cuts corners to its own advantage. But "teleporting"? The "cheetah cam" caught the action and you'll have to see it to believe it!

It's not all monkey business in the villages of Zanzibar Island in Tanzania, Africa. The local red colobuses have serious health issues. Their food sources have declined to just a fraction of the many different types of plants normally found in the outlying dense forests. This has resulted in high levels of toxins accumulating in their bodies. But these are no ordinary primates. They've adapted quite well with an unappetizing addition to their daily diet that helps flush away the deadly toxins.

Meet a fish that's all mouth … but incredibly tough too! The male sarcastic fringehead, or what we call the "alien fish", is only about 20cm long. But don't let that fool you. It skillfully uses its large mouth to intimidate all rivals and intruders, even divers, to protect its humble shell. During mating season, it uses a combination of romance and rough behavior to lure and then kick out its mate after she's laid her eggs. It then becomes a loving and protective father until the fry hatch.

We all crave attention but one bird goes the extra mile to rise above the flock. Come with us to the rain forests of South America's smallest country Suriname to catch a very special performance of the male Guianan cock of the rock. It will dazzle you with its beautiful fluffy yellow plumage; serenade you with a variety of bird song; and wow you with its courtship behavior. But we must say: it's not all romantic! Such is life for a bird that demands and receives nothing less than center stage!

There's an animal in Africa so physically unremarkable, we had to beg a guide to help us find it! But the topi is anything but ordinary. How about "freeloading finesse"? Small groups tag along with herds of migratory beasts, relying on their watchful eyes to guard against predators. But a "matchmaking party"?! In the rainy season, small groups of female topis steadily merge into a huge herd in their search for grass shoots. And the males are waiting … and battling for prime mating rights!

An unlikely mammal has made its home in the busy Singapore metropolis. Otters were once on the verge of extinction here due to the side effects of rapid industrialization in the 1970's. But with the restoration of the environment since, some experts believe otters from nearby Malaysia recently spurred a welcome comeback. We follow 2 families as they navigate the city's waterways and challenges. But beware: these cute little creatures are fiercely territorial and don't take kindly to intrusions!

The adorable meerkat stands tall in Africa's Kalahari Desert ... with the help of its tail! And the surprises don't end there. Older daughters within the clan nurse and raise the pups. But predators abound like the venomous cobra. To ensure the safety and security of all, strict rules are in place with equally tough consequences. At the top of the list: only the clan matriarch can conceive. The eldest daughter of a family we follow finds this out the hard way as she ponders life's choices.

It's a harsh life for the snow monkeys of North Africa: the Barbary macaque. Winters are bone-chilling; grass, roots, and tree bark form their diet; and poaching is widespread. Yet their attitude is anything but bitter. Conflicts are nearly non-existent and they rarely vocalize. Their baby daycare behavior must be seen to be believed. Adults "clatter" their teeth to soothe even the most agitated infant. Young males jump at the chance to babysit to prove their worth as full-fledged group members.