1 00:00:04,710 --> 00:00:07,869 So far on Life Story, we have seen animals survive 2 00:00:07,870 --> 00:00:10,612 the challenges of the first stage of their lives. 3 00:00:24,150 --> 00:00:27,017 Now, many animals face a period of great change... 4 00:00:29,510 --> 00:00:31,740 ...the journey towards adulthood. 5 00:00:33,400 --> 00:00:36,649 A time when they must strike out on their own, 6 00:00:36,650 --> 00:00:38,391 learn from hard experience... 7 00:00:40,410 --> 00:00:42,299 ...and develop new skills. 8 00:01:01,440 --> 00:01:04,455 WIND HOWLS 9 00:01:07,880 --> 00:01:10,872 The beginning of winter in the Arctic. 10 00:01:14,361 --> 00:01:18,049 It's hard to imagine a more challenging time or place 11 00:01:18,050 --> 00:01:19,859 to learn how to fend for yourself. 12 00:01:39,840 --> 00:01:45,426 Until today, this three-month-old Arctic fox pup has had it easy. 13 00:01:47,920 --> 00:01:50,230 Fed and protected by his parents, 14 00:01:50,231 --> 00:01:52,097 playing with his siblings. 15 00:01:55,720 --> 00:01:57,859 THEY SNARL 16 00:02:04,560 --> 00:02:10,879 But his mother is about to bring her cubs' childhood to an abrupt end 17 00:02:10,880 --> 00:02:12,587 and drive them into the wilderness. 18 00:02:26,960 --> 00:02:30,519 Soon, food will be so thin on the ground 19 00:02:30,520 --> 00:02:33,679 that her cubs' only chance of avoiding starvation 20 00:02:33,680 --> 00:02:37,730 is to split up and face a six-month-long winter alone. 21 00:02:41,720 --> 00:02:46,590 Even so, a young fox has only a one-in-five chance of surviving. 22 00:03:16,680 --> 00:03:19,789 To find enough to eat on these barren wastes, 23 00:03:19,790 --> 00:03:23,442 an Arctic fox may have to travel 60 miles a day. 24 00:03:32,420 --> 00:03:37,129 Scratching for scraps and scavenging from others - 25 00:03:37,130 --> 00:03:38,666 it's a meagre existence. 26 00:03:45,080 --> 00:03:47,378 And the worst of the winter is still to come. 27 00:03:50,130 --> 00:03:53,054 WIND ROARS 28 00:03:59,720 --> 00:04:04,129 By midwinter, temperatures drop to minus 50 degrees Celsius, 29 00:04:04,130 --> 00:04:08,021 and deep snow makes scavenging nearly impossible. 30 00:04:23,160 --> 00:04:26,679 But a faint sound beneath the snow 31 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:28,387 may be this fox's salvation. 32 00:04:32,160 --> 00:04:33,514 Lemmings. 33 00:04:35,730 --> 00:04:37,619 It's time to become a hunter. 34 00:04:48,070 --> 00:04:50,584 But catching what you can't see is not easy. 35 00:04:54,241 --> 00:04:56,573 It's hard to judge the leap... 36 00:05:02,040 --> 00:05:03,974 ...and the depth of the snow. 37 00:05:09,810 --> 00:05:12,882 Too deep...and you get stuck. 38 00:05:15,960 --> 00:05:17,209 Too shallow, 39 00:05:17,210 --> 00:05:18,814 and it can be rather painful. 40 00:05:23,640 --> 00:05:25,490 It's going to take time, 41 00:05:25,491 --> 00:05:27,449 but mastering lemming hunting 42 00:05:27,450 --> 00:05:30,420 is vital if a young fox is to make it through the winter. 43 00:05:53,251 --> 00:05:55,948 At last, this fox is on his way. 44 00:06:02,280 --> 00:06:04,959 But if he is to survive until spring, 45 00:06:04,960 --> 00:06:06,729 he'll need to make a catch like this 46 00:06:06,730 --> 00:06:08,471 every couple of days. 47 00:06:15,680 --> 00:06:21,799 Adolescence for an Arctic fox is almost always a solitary journey, 48 00:06:21,800 --> 00:06:25,134 but many creatures simply cannot make it on their own. 49 00:06:26,371 --> 00:06:28,817 JUNGLE NOISES 50 00:06:32,170 --> 00:06:36,649 Even at seven months old, this tiger cub needs protection. 51 00:06:36,650 --> 00:06:38,250 CUB BREATH ES STEADILY 52 00:06:38,251 --> 00:06:42,028 She's learning to take care of herself in a very dangerous world. 53 00:06:54,680 --> 00:06:56,959 This is her father. 54 00:06:56,960 --> 00:07:01,879 His role is to patrol his territory, defending it against rival males 55 00:07:01,880 --> 00:07:05,612 who would try to kill any cubs they find that are not their own. 56 00:07:11,470 --> 00:07:14,569 His scars are evidence of the violence of the society 57 00:07:14,570 --> 00:07:15,901 she is about to enter. 58 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:21,159 He's ruled for five years, 59 00:07:21,160 --> 00:07:23,470 but he's becoming increasingly battle-worn. 60 00:07:29,111 --> 00:07:33,503 She's unlikely to reach adulthood unless her father stays in power. 61 00:07:39,010 --> 00:07:41,110 At the moment, she is safe. 62 00:07:41,111 --> 00:07:43,649 LOW GROWL 63 00:07:43,650 --> 00:07:44,902 And in good company. 64 00:07:48,570 --> 00:07:50,902 She has a brother and a sister. 65 00:07:57,769 --> 00:08:01,387 They will be her playmates and allies as she grows. 66 00:08:11,249 --> 00:08:12,598 THEY SNARL 67 00:08:12,599 --> 00:08:16,149 She already seems to be the most confident of the three. 68 00:08:24,080 --> 00:08:26,319 They practice the fighting and hunting skills 69 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:28,789 that they will depend on as adults. 70 00:08:45,249 --> 00:08:47,478 But the cubs still have much to learn 71 00:08:47,479 --> 00:08:49,573 before they'll be fending for themselves. 72 00:08:58,569 --> 00:09:01,550 Their mother is both their provider and teacher. 73 00:09:02,799 --> 00:09:04,898 She's a formidable hunter, 74 00:09:04,899 --> 00:09:08,408 despite having lost an eye in a fight with a rival. 75 00:09:08,409 --> 00:09:10,491 MOTHER PANTS 76 00:09:12,049 --> 00:09:15,144 Her cub is about to be given a masterclass. 77 00:10:06,729 --> 00:10:09,488 Their mother's success means that today, 78 00:10:09,489 --> 00:10:11,935 the cubs will not go hungry. 79 00:10:22,769 --> 00:10:26,968 If all goes well, these cubs should have the experience 80 00:10:26,969 --> 00:10:30,348 and strength to survive on their own in a year's time. 81 00:10:33,009 --> 00:10:35,128 But only if their mother's support, 82 00:10:35,129 --> 00:10:38,497 and their father's protection, continues. 83 00:10:54,330 --> 00:10:58,638 Growing up is not just about learning to survive. 84 00:10:58,639 --> 00:11:02,089 Learning the art of seduction can also be a vital part 85 00:11:02,090 --> 00:11:03,148 of becoming an adult. 86 00:11:05,330 --> 00:11:09,048 Here in eastern Australia lives an animal 87 00:11:09,049 --> 00:11:12,128 that spends up to seven years perfecting the ability 88 00:11:12,129 --> 00:11:15,747 to build a structure solely to impress a female. 89 00:11:25,279 --> 00:11:27,498 It's a bower. 90 00:11:29,249 --> 00:11:31,778 And this is its creator - 91 00:11:31,779 --> 00:11:35,591 a five-year-old juvenile male satin bowerbird. 92 00:11:46,929 --> 00:11:49,068 He is just a beginner. 93 00:11:54,799 --> 00:11:58,622 But a stone's throw away is another bower... 94 00:12:01,979 --> 00:12:04,516 ...and one from which the youngster could learn a lot. 95 00:12:09,979 --> 00:12:12,768 It's bigger and more elaborate. 96 00:12:12,769 --> 00:12:15,408 And this is its builder - an experienced male 97 00:12:15,409 --> 00:12:17,639 resplendent in his blue adult plumage. 98 00:12:37,799 --> 00:12:39,904 So THAT is how it should be done. 99 00:12:51,769 --> 00:12:55,899 Junior returns to his own bower and tries to improve things. 100 00:13:02,609 --> 00:13:05,351 That should probably go just here. 101 00:13:10,569 --> 00:13:13,015 Or...maybe here... 102 00:13:19,249 --> 00:13:21,343 Perhaps he was right in the first place. 103 00:13:26,369 --> 00:13:28,087 He just can't make up his mind. 104 00:13:32,729 --> 00:13:34,390 This could take some time. 105 00:13:42,139 --> 00:13:44,881 And it's not just about building. 106 00:13:46,849 --> 00:13:51,598 The master's bower has something that Junior's lacks completely. 107 00:13:51,599 --> 00:13:56,138 Blue decorations really please a female. 108 00:13:56,139 --> 00:13:57,903 And the master has gone to town. 109 00:14:01,970 --> 00:14:04,541 Junior takes a closer look. 110 00:14:12,129 --> 00:14:15,372 What will the master make of his visitor? 111 00:14:19,879 --> 00:14:25,101 Rather than drive him away, the master has other intentions... 112 00:14:27,849 --> 00:14:29,008 Seduction. 113 00:14:29,009 --> 00:14:31,103 ADULT BOWERBIRD TRILLS 114 00:14:47,009 --> 00:14:50,058 Juvenile males are almost identical to females. 115 00:14:54,369 --> 00:14:56,808 So the master grabs the opportunity 116 00:14:56,809 --> 00:14:59,437 to practise his courtship display on him. 117 00:15:11,489 --> 00:15:14,311 Junior doesn't know what to do next. 118 00:15:20,849 --> 00:15:22,783 So he exits... 119 00:15:26,009 --> 00:15:27,704 ...mid-performance. 120 00:15:37,579 --> 00:15:38,944 The youngster's bower. 121 00:15:43,729 --> 00:15:45,209 With the breeding season close, 122 00:15:45,210 --> 00:15:48,874 adult males grow increasingly intolerant of juveniles. 123 00:16:04,059 --> 00:16:07,791 Oh,dean there's virtually nothing left. 124 00:16:16,809 --> 00:16:20,336 Junior will just have to start all over again. 125 00:16:24,210 --> 00:16:28,368 But he has several years left to perfect his skill - 126 00:16:28,369 --> 00:16:32,078 at least he's got time on his side! 127 00:16:40,849 --> 00:16:43,762 Now, where should that stick go? 128 00:16:49,729 --> 00:16:51,663 Africa. 129 00:17:20,220 --> 00:17:24,568 These 18-month-old cheetah sisters have been struggling to cope 130 00:17:24,569 --> 00:17:27,152 since they left their mother a few weeks ago. 131 00:17:30,729 --> 00:17:33,869 Their biggest problem is their own inexperience. 132 00:17:37,139 --> 00:17:40,382 They are barely managing to catch even the smallest prey. 133 00:17:45,879 --> 00:17:48,568 Unless they can master big-game hunting, 134 00:17:48,569 --> 00:17:52,506 the sisters will soon starve. 135 00:18:06,179 --> 00:18:10,184 They are the only survivors from a litter of five. 136 00:18:11,329 --> 00:18:14,663 They have spent their lives so far playing and learning together. 137 00:18:16,849 --> 00:18:19,989 Continuing that bond will be the key to their survival. 138 00:18:24,779 --> 00:18:27,808 Cheetah siblings that support each other have a better 139 00:18:27,809 --> 00:18:29,743 chance of making it to adulthood. 140 00:18:41,729 --> 00:18:44,229 This is now the critical time for the sisters 141 00:18:44,230 --> 00:18:48,235 because an opportunity is arising and they must seize it. 142 00:18:59,409 --> 00:19:00,695 Male impala. 143 00:19:06,579 --> 00:19:08,758 Weighing more than both sisters put together, 144 00:19:08,759 --> 00:19:10,511 they make a formidable prey. 145 00:19:15,769 --> 00:19:19,660 But the impala are caught up in a month-long competition for mates... 146 00:19:22,459 --> 00:19:24,178 ...and that is making the males 147 00:19:24,179 --> 00:19:26,420 increasingly weakened and distracted. 148 00:19:29,659 --> 00:19:31,888 The next few weeks may provide the sisters' 149 00:19:31,889 --> 00:19:34,824 best chance to make their first big kill. 150 00:19:41,259 --> 00:19:42,476 They need to act soon. 151 00:19:50,779 --> 00:19:53,538 The amount of time that different animals must 152 00:19:53,539 --> 00:19:56,611 spend in growing up varies enormously. 153 00:19:58,970 --> 00:20:01,608 Once a veined octopus reaches adulthood, 154 00:20:01,609 --> 00:20:04,158 it mates and dies shortly after. 155 00:20:06,739 --> 00:20:10,328 So most of its life is spent as an adolescent, 156 00:20:10,329 --> 00:20:12,821 eating as much as possible. 157 00:20:14,319 --> 00:20:16,608 Although octopus are voracious hunters, 158 00:20:16,609 --> 00:20:20,068 their soft bodies make them very vulnerable to other predators. 159 00:20:21,529 --> 00:20:24,018 So how do the octopus that live here, 160 00:20:24,019 --> 00:20:27,768 on the exposed sea floor of Indonesia's Lembeh Straits, 161 00:20:27,769 --> 00:20:30,704 keep on eating without being eaten? 162 00:20:33,769 --> 00:20:38,514 For most, the solution is an almost unbelievable talent for disguise. 163 00:20:47,529 --> 00:20:50,858 The mimic octopus can change the colour of its body to 164 00:20:50,859 --> 00:20:53,351 seamlessly blend in with its surroundings. 165 00:20:55,379 --> 00:21:00,874 It can also mimic predators, like a flounder or a lionfish. 166 00:21:03,090 --> 00:21:05,089 The wonderpus's strategy is to look 167 00:21:05,090 --> 00:21:09,425 so bizarre it is simply unrecognisable as an octopus. 168 00:21:18,379 --> 00:21:21,668 But no disguise is completely effective, 169 00:21:21,669 --> 00:21:26,938 and flounders are a persistent menace, 170 00:21:26,939 --> 00:21:30,421 always on the lookout for an edible tentacle. 171 00:21:35,889 --> 00:21:40,031 Unfortunately, the veined octopus has no clever disguise. 172 00:21:42,579 --> 00:21:46,311 And a flounder is trailing it, waiting for an off-guard moment. 173 00:21:50,489 --> 00:21:53,504 But the octopus has a unique solution to this problem. 174 00:21:56,409 --> 00:21:59,229 A discarded coconut shell could provide some 175 00:21:59,230 --> 00:22:00,914 protection from its stalker. 176 00:22:07,869 --> 00:22:10,509 This one carries the shell everywhere it goes. 177 00:22:23,970 --> 00:22:26,234 But this is only half the story. 178 00:22:38,249 --> 00:22:42,308 For all-round security it needs another half to make 179 00:22:42,309 --> 00:22:43,435 a matching pair. 180 00:22:48,779 --> 00:22:53,048 Its remarkable ability to manipulate shells is the first-known example 181 00:22:53,049 --> 00:22:56,155 of tool-use amongst invertebrates. 182 00:23:19,749 --> 00:23:22,468 Now the octopus can get back to its 183 00:23:22,469 --> 00:23:25,040 adolescent enthusiasm with body-building. 184 00:23:48,139 --> 00:23:51,393 The stalker is still stalking. 185 00:23:54,539 --> 00:23:59,682 However, an armoured pod has another, more unexpected, benefit. 186 00:24:15,619 --> 00:24:17,121 The chance of a sharp exit. 187 00:24:24,939 --> 00:24:29,538 This cunning cephalopod lives to hunt another day, 188 00:24:29,539 --> 00:24:31,428 all tentacles intact. 189 00:24:44,299 --> 00:24:49,556 For some juveniles, their greatest rivals are adults of their own kind. 190 00:24:54,739 --> 00:24:58,048 Huge colonies of nesting birds on the Falkland Islands 191 00:24:58,049 --> 00:25:01,075 are a sitting target for a ruthless predator. 192 00:25:03,749 --> 00:25:04,921 A striated caracara. 193 00:25:08,049 --> 00:25:11,781 He too is a juvenile, a yearling. 194 00:25:16,970 --> 00:25:22,431 But despite the abundance of prey, this youngster is hungry. 195 00:25:32,489 --> 00:25:37,051 That's because hunting rights in the colony are strictly controlled. 196 00:25:44,110 --> 00:25:47,228 Adult caracara are fiercely territorial. 197 00:26:11,860 --> 00:26:16,618 Breeding pairs punish juvenile trespassers very severely. 198 00:26:16,619 --> 00:26:18,951 BIRDS SQUAWK 199 00:26:33,339 --> 00:26:36,608 Juveniles are banished to the surrounding moorlands, 200 00:26:36,609 --> 00:26:39,488 where their chances of survival are slim. 201 00:26:43,059 --> 00:26:46,548 A year ago, this bird was being cared for, 202 00:26:46,549 --> 00:26:48,631 like these chicks are now. 203 00:26:51,699 --> 00:26:56,557 But his parents pushed him out to make way for a new brood. 204 00:26:59,219 --> 00:27:01,847 The adults want to keep the juveniles down. 205 00:27:05,259 --> 00:27:07,148 But this youngster is not alone. 206 00:27:10,609 --> 00:27:13,317 There are other outcasts here. 207 00:27:19,219 --> 00:27:21,495 And they've joined forces. 208 00:27:27,709 --> 00:27:32,306 To survive on these islands, all juvenile caracara form gangs. 209 00:27:40,409 --> 00:27:44,801 They are an undisciplined mob, riven with in-fighting. 210 00:27:48,259 --> 00:27:50,921 But there is strength in numbers. 211 00:27:52,219 --> 00:27:54,085 And the adults know it. 212 00:27:56,269 --> 00:27:58,283 They will try to break the gangs up... 213 00:28:00,339 --> 00:28:01,556 ...if they can. 214 00:28:11,149 --> 00:28:15,438 BIRDS SQUAWK 215 00:28:17,349 --> 00:28:20,708 But now, with the might of the gang behind them, 216 00:28:20,709 --> 00:28:24,202 young caracara can rise up against authority. 217 00:28:32,709 --> 00:28:35,315 The balance of power has shifted. 218 00:28:42,549 --> 00:28:46,076 With strength of numbers, comes air supremacy. 219 00:28:47,339 --> 00:28:50,498 Now the gang can invade the colonies with little 220 00:28:50,499 --> 00:28:52,388 fear of retribution from adults. 221 00:28:59,699 --> 00:29:04,011 Gang life may not be easy for a lowly, new member. 222 00:29:10,619 --> 00:29:13,873 But it opens up opportunities denied to it as a loner. 223 00:29:24,339 --> 00:29:30,506 They are after eggs, and together, they overwhelm the nesting shags. 224 00:29:59,419 --> 00:30:02,878 The mob plunders until they are all fully gorged. 225 00:30:14,709 --> 00:30:18,714 Working together is the only chance of success these juveniles have. 226 00:30:26,779 --> 00:30:30,938 But gang life is a brutal existence that a young caracara must 227 00:30:30,939 --> 00:30:35,268 endure for four years before finally reaching adulthood 228 00:30:35,269 --> 00:30:37,010 and leaving the mob behind. 229 00:30:45,889 --> 00:30:48,130 In India, a year has passed. 230 00:30:52,419 --> 00:30:55,058 The three tiger cubs are now 18 months old 231 00:30:55,059 --> 00:30:57,027 and on the brink of independence. 232 00:31:02,149 --> 00:31:05,428 They're resting in the protection of a derelict fortress, 233 00:31:05,429 --> 00:31:06,760 trying to keep cool. 234 00:31:22,019 --> 00:31:24,886 But the situation is less relaxed than it appears. 235 00:31:30,139 --> 00:31:33,018 Something caused their mother to hide them here several days ago, 236 00:31:33,019 --> 00:31:36,956 they haven't seen her, or their father, since then. 237 00:31:46,579 --> 00:31:49,116 They're growing hungry. 238 00:31:50,429 --> 00:31:55,268 They may soon be forced to take a critical step towards independence 239 00:31:55,269 --> 00:31:57,601 and to begin hunting for themselves. 240 00:32:06,860 --> 00:32:09,888 This female has been the most confident of them all 241 00:32:09,889 --> 00:32:11,755 since they were cubs. 242 00:32:20,919 --> 00:32:24,548 It's she who finally leaves the security of the fort 243 00:32:24,549 --> 00:32:27,723 and heads out on her own. 244 00:32:49,740 --> 00:32:52,908 On the furthest edge of the family territory, 245 00:32:52,909 --> 00:32:55,480 she catches sight of another tiger. 246 00:33:02,189 --> 00:33:03,793 It's her mother. 247 00:33:07,939 --> 00:33:10,931 She is behaving strangely. 248 00:33:27,659 --> 00:33:33,007 A male, but he's not the cub's father. 249 00:33:38,259 --> 00:33:41,698 A new male in the territory can mean only one thing - 250 00:33:41,699 --> 00:33:46,523 that her father's rule is ending. 251 00:33:51,629 --> 00:33:55,111 Her mother has little choice but to change her allegiance. 252 00:34:14,099 --> 00:34:17,028 No matter how much the mother appeases the male, 253 00:34:17,029 --> 00:34:19,760 her daughter is now in danger. 254 00:34:24,909 --> 00:34:28,118 This male will try to kill any of the old rulers' cubs. 255 00:34:38,099 --> 00:34:43,242 The young female's survival now depends on finding a new home. 256 00:35:04,389 --> 00:35:07,609 Early independence has been forced upon her. 257 00:35:23,029 --> 00:35:25,839 The next day, the forest is quiet. 258 00:35:47,099 --> 00:35:49,272 The young female is dead. 259 00:35:54,229 --> 00:35:55,970 Killed by the new male. 260 00:35:58,389 --> 00:36:00,653 Perhaps her confidence was her downfall. 261 00:36:22,379 --> 00:36:27,681 The other two cubs at the fort are safe, for now. 262 00:36:31,469 --> 00:36:35,178 The journey to independence can be the most dangerous period 263 00:36:35,179 --> 00:36:38,658 of an animal's life, 264 00:36:38,659 --> 00:36:42,562 often it's the more cautious ones that win through. 265 00:36:55,949 --> 00:36:59,788 Animals fortunate or skilful enough to reach independence 266 00:36:59,789 --> 00:37:06,399 now face a new challenge - learning to compete in the adult world. 267 00:37:11,299 --> 00:37:14,898 Very few animals experience this more acutely than 268 00:37:14,899 --> 00:37:17,243 a booted racket-tail hummingbird. 269 00:37:25,309 --> 00:37:29,188 He may look mature, but he's still struggling to cope with 270 00:37:29,189 --> 00:37:31,328 the daily demands of adult life. 271 00:37:34,109 --> 00:37:39,092 Hummingbirds have the most hyperactive lifestyle of all birds. 272 00:37:48,109 --> 00:37:51,908 A racket-tail must consume a sip of energy-rich nectar 273 00:37:51,909 --> 00:37:53,843 2,000 times a day. 274 00:37:55,029 --> 00:37:57,638 But here in the cloud forests of South America, 275 00:37:57,639 --> 00:38:00,461 flowers are very few and far between. 276 00:38:06,179 --> 00:38:08,218 Constantly on the brink of starvation, 277 00:38:08,219 --> 00:38:11,408 a racket-tail must learn where the flowers are 278 00:38:11,409 --> 00:38:13,559 and the shortest route between them. 279 00:38:20,149 --> 00:38:25,098 His heart beats 1,000 times a minute and his wings at 60 times a second. 280 00:38:28,509 --> 00:38:31,588 His lightning reactions and aerial agility allow him 281 00:38:31,589 --> 00:38:34,195 to dodge his way through his day. 282 00:38:35,159 --> 00:38:37,908 And he needs to. 283 00:38:37,909 --> 00:38:41,588 Because more than 30 other species of hummingbird live here, 284 00:38:41,589 --> 00:38:43,830 all competing for the same flowers. 285 00:38:55,069 --> 00:38:59,358 About the size of your little finger and the weight of a one-pence piece, 286 00:38:59,359 --> 00:39:03,330 the racket-tail is too small to battle with the bigger species. 287 00:39:13,949 --> 00:39:16,268 But he can out-manoeuvre the competition 288 00:39:16,269 --> 00:39:19,489 and sneak through to flowers undetected. 289 00:39:33,369 --> 00:39:38,694 However, even a racket-tail can't avoid conflict with its own kind. 290 00:39:43,159 --> 00:39:47,562 A juvenile must learn to stand his ground, against mature males. 291 00:40:20,949 --> 00:40:24,044 This hummingbird's day is about to get even worse. 292 00:40:25,159 --> 00:40:27,491 Almost every afternoon it rains. 293 00:40:30,799 --> 00:40:34,770 But such a tiny hummingbird can't afford to take shelter. 294 00:40:37,439 --> 00:40:40,908 As the day cools down, he needs even more energy 295 00:40:40,909 --> 00:40:42,650 to maintain his body temperature. 296 00:40:44,829 --> 00:40:48,834 But on this scale, raindrops can be a force to be reckoned with. 297 00:40:59,620 --> 00:41:03,318 When the rain eases off, yet another problem emerges. 298 00:41:05,589 --> 00:41:08,820 BUZZING 299 00:41:12,449 --> 00:41:16,348 Honey bees are too small to fly in heavy rain, 300 00:41:16,349 --> 00:41:20,923 but once it stops, they're out in force urgently harvesting nectar. 301 00:41:24,189 --> 00:41:26,362 And are prepared to fight for it. 302 00:41:29,679 --> 00:41:33,338 One sting could kill a young racket-tail, 303 00:41:33,339 --> 00:41:37,560 but luckily he has superior agility on his side. 304 00:42:15,809 --> 00:42:20,804 Evening arrives and this exhausted hummingbird can finally stop. 305 00:42:23,699 --> 00:42:25,518 But it must slow its heart rate 306 00:42:25,519 --> 00:42:29,171 and enter a state of torpor in order to survive the night. 307 00:42:32,159 --> 00:42:36,358 WIND WHISTLES 308 00:42:36,359 --> 00:42:40,136 Every dawn, the same hectic schedule will begin all over again. 309 00:42:41,829 --> 00:42:44,798 But with each day, he learns a little more 310 00:42:44,799 --> 00:42:47,484 about becoming a successful adult. 311 00:42:54,669 --> 00:42:59,518 Coming of age is a gradual process for the hummingbird, 312 00:42:59,519 --> 00:43:03,899 but for some animals, it's defined by a single moment. 313 00:43:18,880 --> 00:43:23,438 Late autumn in southern Africa spells the end of youth 314 00:43:23,439 --> 00:43:25,726 for the cheetah sisters. 315 00:43:30,239 --> 00:43:32,765 Hunger has sharpened their instincts. 316 00:43:43,880 --> 00:43:47,464 The sisters have identified a target. 317 00:43:50,709 --> 00:43:52,988 Although in his prime, 318 00:43:52,989 --> 00:43:56,721 this male is exhausted by weeks of intense competition. 319 00:44:00,829 --> 00:44:05,721 But there's still no room for error when taking on such powerful prey. 320 00:44:10,989 --> 00:44:14,493 The stalk, the sprint and the kill... 321 00:44:16,510 --> 00:44:19,172 ...everything must be perfectly executed. 322 00:44:29,959 --> 00:44:34,158 Cheetah are unable to sustain top speed for long, 323 00:44:34,159 --> 00:44:37,808 so they'll only be able to catch the impala if the chase starts 324 00:44:37,809 --> 00:44:39,220 when they're really close. 325 00:44:46,069 --> 00:44:48,185 And if they work as a team. 326 00:45:22,579 --> 00:45:26,004 One false move and the chance will be gone. 327 00:45:53,149 --> 00:45:57,211 The sisters close in and set the trap. 328 00:46:24,279 --> 00:46:28,182 She loses her stride and the impala gains ground. 329 00:46:39,479 --> 00:46:41,254 But her sister is ready. 330 00:47:09,559 --> 00:47:12,563 Whilst the impala is still on his feet, he's dangerous. 331 00:47:20,039 --> 00:47:23,122 They struggle to deliver the killing bite. 332 00:47:47,709 --> 00:47:50,804 Finally, it's over. 333 00:47:58,039 --> 00:48:01,428 At this moment, with this first success, 334 00:48:01,429 --> 00:48:04,342 these young cheetahs have entered the adult world. 335 00:48:16,129 --> 00:48:19,958 Now they will face a new set of challenges - 336 00:48:19,959 --> 00:48:23,398 finding a home, winning a mate 337 00:48:23,399 --> 00:48:26,425 and eventually raising young of their own. 338 00:48:28,199 --> 00:48:33,524 But the lessons of youth are the foundations of their future. 339 00:48:50,039 --> 00:48:53,678 A small white fox that can cover more than 50 miles a day 340 00:48:53,679 --> 00:48:57,695 across this vast, white landscape is a real filming challenge. 341 00:49:01,119 --> 00:49:04,398 Justin, Justin, do you copy? 'Yeah, copy. 342 00:49:04,399 --> 00:49:08,708 'I'm just trying to get my thumbs to come back to life.' 343 00:49:08,709 --> 00:49:11,868 Director Sophie Lanfear has experienced the difficulties 344 00:49:11,869 --> 00:49:14,247 of filming arctic animals before. 345 00:49:17,489 --> 00:49:20,519 But she hopes to capture, for the first time, 346 00:49:20,520 --> 00:49:23,798 the extraordinary hunting behaviour of an Arctic fox 347 00:49:23,799 --> 00:49:25,506 "snow-diving" for lemmings. 348 00:49:29,679 --> 00:49:32,588 Her journey begins in the Swedish Arctic 349 00:49:32,589 --> 00:49:34,444 with cameraman Rolf Steinmann. 350 00:49:40,989 --> 00:49:44,228 Just spotting the foxes proves hard enough 351 00:49:44,229 --> 00:49:46,878 and it's soon clear that getting close to them 352 00:49:46,879 --> 00:49:50,747 is going to demand all of Rolf's patience and resilience. 353 00:50:04,869 --> 00:50:08,348 Today, we found a den here 354 00:50:08,349 --> 00:50:13,118 and, after 13 hours of waiting, the Arctic fox finally came out. 355 00:50:13,119 --> 00:50:16,148 He's sitting there right now and taking a sun bath. 356 00:50:16,149 --> 00:50:19,398 So, fingers crossed this individual gets used to us 357 00:50:19,399 --> 00:50:22,494 and he lets us see how he can survive out here. 358 00:50:24,049 --> 00:50:26,998 After a week, the outlook seems good. 359 00:50:26,999 --> 00:50:30,333 But fortunes can change suddenly in the Arctic. 360 00:50:32,199 --> 00:50:36,011 WIND HOWLS 361 00:50:44,229 --> 00:50:46,759 It's now pretty white out. 362 00:50:46,760 --> 00:50:51,358 With such bad conditions, the team consider abandoning the shoot. 363 00:50:51,359 --> 00:50:53,441 Should have probably gone an hour ago. 364 00:50:56,119 --> 00:50:58,224 I don't know if it's safe to drive in this. 365 00:51:02,359 --> 00:51:05,738 Sophie and Rolf have no choice but to sit it out. 366 00:51:18,329 --> 00:51:22,812 With filming out of the question, all they could do is stay warm. 367 00:51:33,770 --> 00:51:36,338 Although the weather eventually clears, 368 00:51:36,339 --> 00:51:39,013 there's precious little time left for filming. 369 00:51:42,399 --> 00:51:44,731 Rolf, I hope you know how many bags we've got. 370 00:51:53,719 --> 00:51:56,689 Finally, Rolf is able to film again. 371 00:51:59,359 --> 00:52:03,068 But the foxes are proving hard to predict. 372 00:52:03,069 --> 00:52:05,878 At one point, he walked out of the frame and I tried to frame up 373 00:52:05,879 --> 00:52:09,019 so that it comes into frame and then suddenly it jumps. 374 00:52:10,359 --> 00:52:11,998 Bloop! 375 00:52:11,999 --> 00:52:15,158 I mean, I didn't even think that there's a big fat lemming 376 00:52:15,159 --> 00:52:18,185 just sitting in the landscape and waiting to be eaten. 377 00:52:19,849 --> 00:52:22,958 It was the last chance to film a hunt. 378 00:52:22,959 --> 00:52:24,568 Their time is up. 379 00:52:24,569 --> 00:52:28,308 I mean, that lemming must have been either already dead 380 00:52:28,309 --> 00:52:30,243 or it was really stupid or it was... 381 00:52:34,589 --> 00:52:37,878 With the foxes in Sweden too elusive, 382 00:52:37,879 --> 00:52:41,782 the following winter the team decide to try their luck in Canada. 383 00:52:43,129 --> 00:52:46,519 This location is one of the best places for tourists 384 00:52:46,520 --> 00:52:48,966 to experience Arctic wildlife. 385 00:52:50,999 --> 00:52:54,878 And it's almost guaranteed to provide close encounters 386 00:52:54,879 --> 00:52:56,335 with white foxes. 387 00:52:57,919 --> 00:53:01,008 So it's quite a surprise that the first fox they see 388 00:53:01,009 --> 00:53:02,898 is the wrong colour. 389 00:53:06,159 --> 00:53:08,198 It's the first year in 30 years 390 00:53:08,199 --> 00:53:13,678 that red foxes have come around this area to stay so early in the winter. 391 00:53:13,679 --> 00:53:16,588 I mean, it's not their natural habitat, they shouldn't be here, 392 00:53:16,589 --> 00:53:20,173 and they're probably the reason why the Arctic foxes aren't coming in. 393 00:53:21,640 --> 00:53:25,118 These red foxes are bigger and stronger than Arctic foxes 394 00:53:25,119 --> 00:53:27,998 and they can push them out of the area 395 00:53:27,999 --> 00:53:32,106 and we experience it here in a very painful way. 396 00:53:34,799 --> 00:53:38,238 Weeks pass, but no white foxes. 397 00:53:38,239 --> 00:53:42,848 Instead, the number of red foxes just grows and grows, 398 00:53:42,849 --> 00:53:44,499 as does their boldness. 399 00:53:52,879 --> 00:53:56,948 After five weeks without seeing a single white fox, 400 00:53:56,949 --> 00:54:01,588 Sophie and Rolf are forced to accept a second defeat. 401 00:54:01,589 --> 00:54:05,173 This is some kind of official "game over". 402 00:54:11,959 --> 00:54:14,519 Some people just don't give up 403 00:54:14,520 --> 00:54:17,958 and, two and a half years since her first attempt, 404 00:54:17,959 --> 00:54:20,158 Sophie is back in Canada, 405 00:54:20,159 --> 00:54:25,358 but now further north, where red foxes shouldn't be a problem. 406 00:54:25,359 --> 00:54:27,519 I'm in Arviat this time 407 00:54:27,520 --> 00:54:30,798 and third and final chance to film Arctic foxes. 408 00:54:30,799 --> 00:54:32,798 So I'm confident, this time, 409 00:54:32,799 --> 00:54:35,808 we're going to get it, we're going to get it. 410 00:54:35,809 --> 00:54:38,438 Rolf was busy on another assignment, 411 00:54:38,439 --> 00:54:41,249 so cameraman Justin Maguire takes up the challenge. 412 00:54:42,640 --> 00:54:44,745 OK, we have our stuff, yay! 413 00:54:47,530 --> 00:54:49,897 And he seems to bring good fortune. 414 00:54:51,729 --> 00:54:57,238 In the first few days, they find some remarkably brazen foxes. 415 00:54:57,239 --> 00:54:58,889 No, no, no, no! 416 00:55:03,789 --> 00:55:06,798 SOPHIE LAUGHS 417 00:55:06,799 --> 00:55:08,870 That's definitely the closest yet. 418 00:55:12,369 --> 00:55:15,157 But the foxes' very boldness is a problem. 419 00:55:24,319 --> 00:55:27,288 There's a fox being chased. 420 00:55:27,289 --> 00:55:29,383 He's getting his gun out. 421 00:55:31,039 --> 00:55:32,552 No! 422 00:55:37,949 --> 00:55:41,238 GUNSHOT ECHOES 423 00:55:41,239 --> 00:55:45,138 Hunting is a traditional way of life in these communities 424 00:55:45,139 --> 00:55:50,191 and foxes living nearest human habitation are most at risk. 425 00:55:52,599 --> 00:55:57,168 So the team's only choice is to head further out into the tundra, 426 00:55:57,169 --> 00:55:59,581 as far from human contact as possible. 427 00:56:03,369 --> 00:56:05,798 Not quite sure where we're heading. 428 00:56:05,799 --> 00:56:07,928 The landscape's completely featureless 429 00:56:07,929 --> 00:56:11,092 and we haven't seen any bears or foxes. 430 00:56:12,929 --> 00:56:15,568 Somewhere out here, they hope to find foxes 431 00:56:15,569 --> 00:56:18,106 which are behaving completely naturally. 432 00:56:20,919 --> 00:56:24,696 But the crew's life returns to an all too familiar pattern. 433 00:56:27,129 --> 00:56:30,748 We drive, we stop, we spot, we lose them. 434 00:56:30,749 --> 00:56:33,038 We drive, we stop, we spot, we lose them. 435 00:56:33,039 --> 00:56:35,872 Vanished. Currently lost them. 436 00:56:45,799 --> 00:56:48,621 Eventually, persistence pays off. 437 00:57:08,599 --> 00:57:12,376 Sophie and her team finally get their shot. 438 00:57:18,039 --> 00:57:20,337 I've waited a very long time... 439 00:57:22,089 --> 00:57:23,773 ...for this moment. 440 00:57:28,599 --> 00:57:30,465 I don't think Rolf would believe it. 441 00:57:38,759 --> 00:57:45,552 Next time on Life Story, animals secure a home in a dangerous world. 442 00:57:47,049 --> 00:57:49,288 They battle... 443 00:57:49,289 --> 00:57:51,053 grab opportunities... 444 00:57:52,129 --> 00:57:53,824 ...compete with neighbours... 445 00:57:54,889 --> 00:57:56,266 ...build... 446 00:57:57,479 --> 00:58:00,414 ...and fight to dominate their world. 447 00:58:02,249 --> 00:58:05,128 For a free Open University interactive poster 448 00:58:05,129 --> 00:58:07,552 exploring animal life journeys, call... 449 00:58:12,159 --> 00:58:13,979 ...or go to... 450 00:58:17,729 --> 00:58:20,539 ...and follow the links to the Open University.