Filmed over 3 years, on 6 continents, and in 23 countries, this five-part series, narrated by Sir David Attenborough, tells the stories of astonishing animal behaviors shaped by the environments they inhabit.
Nature: Parenthood airs Wednesdays, February 4 through March 4 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV and streaming live on the WXXI and PBS apps.
Each habitat has its own unique challenges, but as the world changes rapidly around them, some parents have to adapt to a world shaped by humans. The stakes couldn’t be higher – success for all parents ensures the future of life on our planet.
Grasslands (2/4) Animal parents must balance risk and reward to raise their young in grasslands. In Zambezi, wild dogs must focus the energy of their unruly teenagers for survival, and in India, an expecting langur learns parenting skills by babysitting.
Freshwater (2/11) Animal parents must overcome freshwater’s constant changes. A frog dad scales giant Amazonian trees with tadpoles on his back, while an elephant mom must choose between the safety of her baby and the quest for water and food.
Oceans (2/18) Ocean parents must master dedication and intelligence to raise their young. In Australia, an orca mother teaches her young how to hunt blue whales, while in Indonesia, a Banggai cardinalfish protects his young inside his mouth.
Jungles (2/25) See how jungle animal parents raise children by mastering their environment. An orangutan spends eight years teaching her baby the ways of jungle living, and a crab becomes the ultimate chemist to create the perfect home for her crablets.
The Greatest Adventure (3/4) Parenthood is the ultimate journey, full of danger. Lionesses teach their cubs how to survive by showing them how to tackle giant buffalo. Burrowing owls provide an underground nest for their chicks and mimic a rattlesnake’s sound to protect them.