Life on Earth

20041 series
Available on
BBC Two

The story of life, from the first primitive cells to the plants and animals that now live around us.

The Infinite Variety: Episode Image
Episode 1The Infinite Variety

David Attenborough explores the wildlife and landscape that inspired Charles Darwin.

Building Bodies: Episode Image
Episode 2Building Bodies

David Attenborough examines the creatures and fossils of the Great Barrier Reef.

The First Forests: Episode Image
Episode 3The First Forests

David Attenborough looks at when plants began to invade the land 400 million years ago.

The Swarming Hordes: Episode Image
Episode 4The Swarming Hordes

David Attenborough looks at the role of a few of the millions of insect species.

Conquest of the Waters: Episode Image
Episode 5Conquest of the Waters

David Attenborough looks at some of the 30,000 species of fish.

Invasion of the Land: Episode Image
Episode 6Invasion of the Land

When fish crawled from the water onto land and became amphibians, 350 million years ago.

Victors of the Dry Land: Episode Image
Episode 7Victors of the Dry Land

How reptiles were the first backboned creatures to solve the problems of living on land.

Lords of the Air: Episode Image
Episode 8Lords of the Air

David Attenborough looks at the advantages of birds' feathers.

The Rise of the Mammals: Episode Image
Episode 9The Rise of the Mammals

David Attenborough looks at the evolution of mammals from reptiles 200 million years ago.

Theme and Variations: Episode Image
Episode 10Theme and Variations

Themes and Variations. David Attenborough looks at some of the huge variety of mammals.

The Hunters and Hunted: Episode Image
Episode 11The Hunters and Hunted

The Hunters and the Hunted. The eternal duel between the hunters and the hunted on the plains of East Africa.

Life in the Trees: Episode Image
Episode 12Life in the Trees

David Attenborough looks at the history of primates.

The Compulsive Communicators: Episode Image
Episode 13The Compulsive Communicators

David Attenborough looks at how and why humans have come to dominate life on earth.

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