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Challenges of Life

Episode 1 of 10

David Attenborough examines how living long enough to breed is a monumental struggle, and how many animals and plants go to extremes to give themselves a chance.

In nature, living long enough to breed is a monumental struggle. Many animals and plants go to extremes to give themselves a chance.

Uniquely, three brother cheetahs band together to bring down a huge ostrich. Aerial photography reveals how bottle-nosed dolphins trap fish in a ring of mud, and time-lapse cameras show how the Venus flytrap ensnares insect victims.

The strawberry frog carries a tadpole high into a tree and drops it in a water-filled bromeliad. The frog must climb back from the ground every day to feed it.

Fledgling chinstrap penguins undertake a heroic and tragic journey through the broken ice to get out to sea. Many can barely swim and the formidable leopard seal lies in wait.

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58 minutes

Last on

Wed 2 Oct 202401:50
BBC Four

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Reptiles and Amphibians

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Clips

See all clips from Challenges of Life(8)

Chapters

  • Challenges of Life

    Opening titles

    Duration: 00:18

  • Hunting

    Duration: 10:18

  • Escaping the Threat

    Duration: 06:31

  • Food Gathering

    Duration: 06:23

  • Attracting a Mate

    Duration: 09:30

  • Motherly Love

    Duration: 07:26

  • Parenting Techniques

    Duration: 07:29

  • Life on Location

    Duration: 10:33

Credits

NarratorDavid Attenborough
DirectorMartha Holmes
Executive ProducerMichael Gunton

Broadcasts

  • Mon 12 Oct 200921:00
    BBC HD & BBC One except Northern Ireland
  • Mon 12 Oct 200922:35
    BBC One Northern Ireland
  • Tue 13 Oct 200920:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 17 Oct 200917:30
    BBC HD
  • Sun 18 Oct 200922:55
    BBC HD
  • Fri 23 Oct 200901:00
    BBC One except Northern Ireland
  • Sun 25 Oct 200923:40
    BBC One Northern Ireland
  • Sun 3 Jan 201018:00
    BBC HD & BBC One
  • Sat 6 Feb 201019:00
    BBC Four
  • Thu 15 Apr 201000:10
    BBC HD
  • Sat 9 Oct 201019:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 3 Sep 201119:00
    BBC Four
  • Sat 3 Sep 201123:15
    BBC HD
  • Sun 4 Sep 201102:15
    BBC Four
  • Mon 5 Sep 201119:30
    BBC HD
  • Mon 24 Jun 201920:00
    BBC Four
  • Mon 1 Feb 202115:00
    BBC Two except Scotland
  • Mon 25 Sep 202319:00
    BBC Four
  • Tue 26 Sep 202300:45
    BBC Four
  • Tue 1 Oct 202419:00
    BBC Four
  • Wed 2 Oct 202401:50
    BBC Four

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