The Trials of Life

19911 series
Available on
BBC Two

David Attenborough's series exploring the living world.

Arriving: Episode Image
Episode 1Arriving

How animals employ an extraordinary variety of techniques to disperse their offspring.

Growing Up: Episode Image
Episode 2Growing Up

From creches of bats to elephant babysitters, a look at how animals bring up their young.

Finding Food: Episode Image
Episode 3Finding Food

David Attenborough looks at the ingenious ways animals solve the problem of finding food.

Hunting and Escaping: Episode Image
Episode 4Hunting and Escaping

David Attenborough looks at the life-and-death duels which are fought daily in the wild.

Finding the Way: Episode Image
Episode 5Finding the Way

David Attenborough looks at how creatures find their way around the earth.

Home Making: Episode Image
Episode 6Home Making

David Attenborough looks at how animals build their homes.

Living Together: Episode Image
Episode 7Living Together

David Attenborough looks at how animals form partnerships.

Fighting: Episode Image
Episode 8Fighting

Aggression is widespread in animals. But teeth, hooves and horns can cause severe injury.

Friends and Rivals: Episode Image
Episode 9Friends and Rivals

David Attenborough examines how recognising friends is vital in the animal kingdom.

Talking to Strangers: Episode Image
Episode 10Talking to Strangers

David Attenborough examines the methods of communication in the animal kingdom.

Courting: Episode Image
Episode 11Courting

David Attenborough examines courtship rituals in the animal kingdom.

Continuing the Line: Episode Image
Episode 12Continuing the Line

A look at the many and varied ways that animals ensure their genes are passed on.

How to watch The Trials of Life