1 00:00:01,863 --> 00:00:04,590 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: There's a country on planet earth that's about 2 00:00:02,000 --> 00:00:07,000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 3 00:00:04,625 --> 00:00:08,387 {\an1}the same size as the United States, 4 00:00:08,000 --> 00:00:13,000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 5 00:00:08,422 --> 00:00:12,391 {\an1}but it has around four times as many people. 6 00:00:12,426 --> 00:00:17,051 {\an1}Still, its wild lands are so vast with creatures seen 7 00:00:17,086 --> 00:00:21,607 {\an1}nowhere else, incredible animals that survive in 8 00:00:21,642 --> 00:00:25,404 {\an1}some of the most extreme landscapes, 9 00:00:25,439 --> 00:00:30,202 {\an1}like the highest and largest mountain region in the world. 10 00:00:31,169 --> 00:00:36,208 {\an1}With so much ice it's known as the Third Pole. 11 00:00:36,243 --> 00:00:41,282 {\an1}This country is famous for grass that grows as big as trees. 12 00:00:42,387 --> 00:00:45,873 {\an1}And for an animal that will eat that giant grass 13 00:00:45,907 --> 00:00:49,049 {\an1}all day long. 14 00:00:51,499 --> 00:00:56,056 {\an1}These are The Hidden Kingdoms of China. 15 00:01:02,545 --> 00:01:06,100 {\an1}This is the fastest growing plant in the world. 16 00:01:06,135 --> 00:01:08,309 {\an1}Bamboo. 17 00:01:08,344 --> 00:01:11,933 {\an1}It can grow around a meter a day. 18 00:01:11,968 --> 00:01:16,869 {\an1}And some of it as tall and as thick as a tree. 19 00:01:20,459 --> 00:01:24,670 {\an1}China is the kingdom of Bamboo. 20 00:01:27,708 --> 00:01:33,231 {\an1}Ruled by a queen, 21 00:01:34,922 --> 00:01:38,408 {\an1}the giant panda. 22 00:01:38,443 --> 00:01:42,481 {\an1}This country is her native home. 23 00:01:42,516 --> 00:01:46,140 {\an1}She's China's national animal 24 00:01:46,175 --> 00:01:50,075 {\an1}and she happens to eat a lot of bamboo. 25 00:01:53,527 --> 00:01:58,325 {\an1}The giant panda has the tools for it. 26 00:01:58,877 --> 00:02:04,089 {\an1}With five claws on each paw and a padded wrist bone 27 00:02:04,124 --> 00:02:07,368 {\an1}that works like a thumb. 28 00:02:07,403 --> 00:02:11,372 {\an1}She can grip it almost like a monkey. 29 00:02:16,377 --> 00:02:20,312 {\an1}Big and powerful jaw muscles help her grind up the tough 30 00:02:20,347 --> 00:02:25,248 {\an1}stems and give her that recognizable round face. 31 00:02:27,077 --> 00:02:29,079 {\an1}A few million years ago, 32 00:02:29,114 --> 00:02:34,292 {\an1}the pandas' ancestors preferred to eat more meat. 33 00:02:34,326 --> 00:02:38,848 {\an1}These days they're mostly vegetarian. 34 00:02:43,784 --> 00:02:47,822 {\an1}Bamboo is low in nutrients, so the average bear needs to eat 35 00:02:47,857 --> 00:02:53,069 {\an1}a lot of it and for a long time, 36 00:02:55,899 --> 00:03:00,110 {\an1}around 12 hours every day. 37 00:03:00,145 --> 00:03:03,424 {\an1}Perhaps that's the reason for this panda mother's 38 00:03:03,459 --> 00:03:05,978 {\an1}big, round belly. 39 00:03:09,982 --> 00:03:13,572 {\an1}Or maybe it's because she just gave birth 40 00:03:13,607 --> 00:03:17,404 {\an1}to her very tiny panda prince. 41 00:03:18,577 --> 00:03:23,617 {\an1}At only two weeks old, he weighs half a kilogram. 42 00:03:25,446 --> 00:03:30,002 {\an1}A newborn panda is one of the smallest mammals born compared 43 00:03:30,037 --> 00:03:33,696 {\an1}to the size of the parent. 44 00:03:33,730 --> 00:03:37,389 {\an1}They're also born blind so this little one needs 45 00:03:37,424 --> 00:03:41,255 {\an1}his mom for everything. 46 00:03:41,290 --> 00:03:46,364 {\an1}For the next two years, she'll stick by his side and teach 47 00:03:46,398 --> 00:03:50,126 {\an1}him all that she knows until the day he's big enough to 48 00:03:50,160 --> 00:03:53,612 {\an1}strike out on his own. 49 00:03:56,166 --> 00:03:59,273 {\an1}Thousands of meters higher up, in an all-together different 50 00:03:59,308 --> 00:04:05,279 {\an1}type of forest there lives another very special creature. 51 00:04:05,314 --> 00:04:09,110 {\an1}That is also unique to China. 52 00:04:09,145 --> 00:04:12,252 {\an1}The golden snub-nosed monkey only lives here in the 53 00:04:12,286 --> 00:04:17,187 {\an1}high mountain forests of central China. 54 00:04:19,431 --> 00:04:24,056 {\an1}Up to 4,000 meters above sea level. 55 00:04:24,816 --> 00:04:28,716 {\an1}This is the world's largest high-altitude forest, 56 00:04:28,751 --> 00:04:31,857 {\an1}where there are more tree species than in any other 57 00:04:31,892 --> 00:04:35,999 {\an1}deciduous forest on earth. 58 00:04:37,587 --> 00:04:39,348 {\an1}It's spring! 59 00:04:39,382 --> 00:04:43,490 {\an1}And these monkeys are making the most of it. 60 00:04:55,709 --> 00:05:00,300 {\an1}This troop has five families. 61 00:05:00,334 --> 00:05:06,029 {\an1}Each family has one male and several females with their young. 62 00:05:08,446 --> 00:05:11,828 {\an1}Males that don't belong to these families hang out 63 00:05:11,863 --> 00:05:15,798 {\an1}together in a monkey bachelor gang. 64 00:05:18,352 --> 00:05:21,321 {\an1}They're an unruly bunch, but for now, 65 00:05:21,355 --> 00:05:25,359 {\an1}the focus is not on them. 66 00:05:26,049 --> 00:05:30,330 {\an1}It's on the latest addition to the family, 67 00:05:30,364 --> 00:05:34,368 {\an1}a brand new, baby girl. 68 00:05:36,508 --> 00:05:41,651 {\an1}She happens to be the first born this spring 69 00:05:41,686 --> 00:05:47,485 {\an1}so all the females in the family want a cuddle. 70 00:05:53,663 --> 00:05:56,942 {\an1}This aunty is first. 71 00:06:02,016 --> 00:06:04,571 {\an1}[squeaking]. 72 00:06:04,605 --> 00:06:09,507 {\an1}Then aunty number two wants a hold. 73 00:06:14,304 --> 00:06:21,035 {\an1}[squeaking]. 74 00:06:22,105 --> 00:06:26,627 {\an1}And aunty number three. 75 00:06:31,701 --> 00:06:36,465 {\an1}[squeaking]. 76 00:06:36,499 --> 00:06:42,194 {\an1}Enough! It's mom time. 77 00:06:43,161 --> 00:06:47,441 {\an1}Meaning lunchtime. 78 00:06:54,586 --> 00:06:58,970 {\an1}In fact, all the monkeys want lunch. 79 00:07:02,145 --> 00:07:04,562 {\an1}At this time of year, they spend a quarter of 80 00:07:04,596 --> 00:07:09,152 {\an1}daylight hours eating the fresh, new leaves. 81 00:07:12,017 --> 00:07:16,436 {\an1}A good source of protein and their favorite food. 82 00:07:24,720 --> 00:07:29,069 {\an1}As temperatures rise, the monkeys follow the leaves 83 00:07:29,103 --> 00:07:31,209 {\an1}as they spring to life, 84 00:07:31,243 --> 00:07:35,316 {\an1}further and further up the mountain. 85 00:07:35,351 --> 00:07:39,735 {\an1}But eventually the trees stop growing. 86 00:07:40,529 --> 00:07:46,189 {\an1}And at around 5,000 meters above sea level we hit. 87 00:07:46,224 --> 00:07:49,883 {\an1}The great plains of China. 88 00:07:49,917 --> 00:07:53,576 {\an1}Part of the biggest grassland on earth, 89 00:07:53,611 --> 00:07:58,270 {\an1}it covers a third of the country. 90 00:07:59,340 --> 00:08:04,725 {\an1}For nine months of the year, it's packed with snow and ice. 91 00:08:04,760 --> 00:08:08,626 {\an1}But there are a couple of months when it transforms 92 00:08:08,660 --> 00:08:11,905 {\an1}into a hidden kingdom of plenty. 93 00:08:11,939 --> 00:08:15,805 {\an1}Precious time to raise a family. 94 00:08:17,600 --> 00:08:21,501 {\an1}And up here there's a family guy who takes the prize 95 00:08:21,535 --> 00:08:25,435 {\an1}for dad of the year. 96 00:08:25,470 --> 00:08:29,957 {\an1}The Tibetan fox is no lazy dog. 97 00:08:33,478 --> 00:08:36,308 {\an1}But he has no idea what lies ahead in 98 00:08:36,343 --> 00:08:40,105 {\an1}this fast-changing wilderness. 99 00:08:42,418 --> 00:08:46,422 {\an1}After a very long winter, the residents of China's 100 00:08:46,456 --> 00:08:50,737 {\an1}great plains are waking up. 101 00:08:53,118 --> 00:08:55,914 {\an1}The father fox has a family of five. 102 00:08:55,949 --> 00:08:59,780 {\an1}Four cubs and mother fox too. 103 00:08:59,815 --> 00:09:03,439 {\an1}After a month underground, they are just emerging from 104 00:09:03,473 --> 00:09:07,063 {\an1}their den with energy to burn. 105 00:09:12,137 --> 00:09:16,763 {\an1}Tibetan foxes normally only give birth to two or three cubs, 106 00:09:16,797 --> 00:09:19,593 {\an1}so four is a handful. 107 00:09:19,628 --> 00:09:21,871 {\an1}And like most baby foxes, 108 00:09:21,906 --> 00:09:26,358 {\an1}they're completely dependent on both parents for survival. 109 00:09:26,635 --> 00:09:29,741 {\an1}[yipping]. 110 00:09:30,535 --> 00:09:32,917 {\an1}They need constant feeding. 111 00:09:32,951 --> 00:09:36,541 {\an1}Dad and mom take turns. 112 00:09:36,576 --> 00:09:40,580 {\an1}Today, father fox stays home to babysit. 113 00:09:40,614 --> 00:09:44,584 {\an1}And mother heads out for the hunt. 114 00:09:50,590 --> 00:09:53,731 {\an1}To be safe, the cubs stay close to the den. 115 00:09:53,765 --> 00:09:58,701 {\an1}While the other grassland creatures go about their business. 116 00:09:58,736 --> 00:10:01,877 {\an1}Some more edible than others. 117 00:10:01,911 --> 00:10:06,088 {\an1}[howling]. 118 00:10:06,744 --> 00:10:08,849 {\an1}[yipping]. 119 00:10:08,884 --> 00:10:13,198 {\an1}With this many cubs, someone is bound to get left out. 120 00:10:14,510 --> 00:10:17,651 {\an1}As the three brothers grow stronger, 121 00:10:17,686 --> 00:10:22,207 {\an1}their smaller sister will need some extra attention. 122 00:10:27,143 --> 00:10:30,595 {\an1}Beyond the grasslands, lies the wildest, 123 00:10:30,630 --> 00:10:35,324 {\an1}highest and largest mountain region on Earth. 124 00:10:35,358 --> 00:10:38,845 {\an1}This is China's mountain kingdom, 125 00:10:38,879 --> 00:10:43,435 {\an1}home to some of the world's most elusive animals. 126 00:10:45,506 --> 00:10:49,165 {\an1}Including these goofy looking creatures. 127 00:10:49,200 --> 00:10:51,685 {\an1}The Himalayan marmot, 128 00:10:51,720 --> 00:10:56,517 {\an1}sometimes known as the Tibetan snow pig. 129 00:10:56,552 --> 00:10:58,865 {\an1}They're in the squirrel family 130 00:10:58,899 --> 00:11:02,592 {\an1}but are more the size of a groundhog. 131 00:11:04,111 --> 00:11:08,357 {\an1}Marmots are also one of the highest living mammals in the world. 132 00:11:10,221 --> 00:11:13,189 {\an1}They survive the coldest eight months of the year 133 00:11:13,224 --> 00:11:15,467 {\an1}by sleeping in their burrows 134 00:11:15,502 --> 00:11:19,782 {\an1}and dropping their heart beats to just a few per minute. 135 00:11:25,615 --> 00:11:31,173 {\an1}But right now, they're feasting to rebuild their fat reserves. 136 00:11:38,249 --> 00:11:41,701 {\an1}This mountain habitat sits within an area nearly 137 00:11:41,735 --> 00:11:45,981 {\an1}14 times the size of Yellowstone. 138 00:11:46,015 --> 00:11:50,606 {\an1}A place where four seasons can pass in one day. 139 00:11:52,021 --> 00:11:54,472 {\an1}And after the North and South Pole, 140 00:11:54,506 --> 00:11:58,269 {\an1}it ranks third for ice. 141 00:11:58,303 --> 00:12:03,826 {\an1}Ice that eventually feeds Asia's three mightiest rivers, 142 00:12:03,861 --> 00:12:07,519 {\an1}the Yellow, Mekong and Yangtze. 143 00:12:08,141 --> 00:12:13,249 {\an1}Water for most of the billion people that live below. 144 00:12:17,184 --> 00:12:20,601 {\an1}Nestled in the western province of Qinghai, 145 00:12:20,636 --> 00:12:25,192 {\an1}this remote and extreme world is home to a sacred and 146 00:12:25,227 --> 00:12:28,644 {\an1}most elusive predator. 147 00:12:28,678 --> 00:12:33,269 {\an1}Only when she moves can we see her. 148 00:12:33,304 --> 00:12:36,756 {\an1}It's the ghost of the mountain kingdom. 149 00:12:36,790 --> 00:12:39,137 {\an1}Something rarely caught on camera. 150 00:12:43,901 --> 00:12:46,696 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: China is home to more snow leopards than 151 00:12:46,731 --> 00:12:50,355 {\an1}anywhere else on the planet. 152 00:12:50,839 --> 00:12:54,635 {\an1}At around 16,000 feet above sea level, 153 00:12:54,670 --> 00:13:00,089 {\an1}they're perfectly adapted to a world that is inaccessible to most. 154 00:13:02,816 --> 00:13:06,855 {\an1}Their individual territories with steep sided mountains and 155 00:13:06,889 --> 00:13:10,582 {\an1}exposed valleys are huge, 156 00:13:14,621 --> 00:13:18,901 {\an1}but this female still marks hers. 157 00:13:22,318 --> 00:13:26,495 {\an1}She's the apex predator all the way up here. 158 00:13:28,083 --> 00:13:30,050 {\an1}And when there are at best, 159 00:13:30,085 --> 00:13:33,260 {\an1}7,000 snow leopards left on planet earth, 160 00:13:33,295 --> 00:13:37,057 {\an1}it's a privileged position to be in. 161 00:13:41,613 --> 00:13:47,102 {\an1}This snow leopard is also a mother of this yearling cub. 162 00:13:48,897 --> 00:13:53,004 {\an1}She takes the time to play with him, 163 00:13:54,005 --> 00:13:57,871 {\an1}a mountain version of hide and seek. 164 00:13:58,665 --> 00:14:02,669 {\an1}Vital lessons disguised as a game. 165 00:14:07,536 --> 00:14:12,748 {\an1}We are lucky to witness a snow leopard family in the wild. 166 00:14:17,166 --> 00:14:21,722 {\an1}Many skills are needed to survive up here. 167 00:14:24,553 --> 00:14:28,177 {\an1}So how does a cub learn those? 168 00:14:28,212 --> 00:14:32,595 {\an1}Be a copycat of course. 169 00:14:34,666 --> 00:14:38,118 {\an1}What mom does, son does. 170 00:14:44,780 --> 00:14:48,680 {\an1}They're inseparable. 171 00:14:48,715 --> 00:14:51,925 {\an1}But there's a serious side to mountain life. 172 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:54,790 {\an1}And a constant pressure to find food. 173 00:14:54,824 --> 00:14:58,380 {\an1}Even at the top of the food chain, 174 00:14:58,414 --> 00:15:01,831 {\an1}survival up here is tough. 175 00:15:01,866 --> 00:15:05,042 {\an1}Mother's milk is no longer enough. 176 00:15:05,076 --> 00:15:07,561 {\an1}She needs to hunt every ten days or so 177 00:15:07,596 --> 00:15:11,496 {\an1}just to keep them both alive. 178 00:15:11,531 --> 00:15:15,569 {\an1}But where is the prey? 179 00:15:15,604 --> 00:15:20,505 {\an1}Finding it is the first job, up here in the mountains. 180 00:15:22,404 --> 00:15:26,926 {\an1}Especially challenging as a solitary hunter. 181 00:15:26,960 --> 00:15:29,929 {\an1}Where one leopard's territory might be 182 00:15:29,963 --> 00:15:33,933 {\an1}as much as 1,000 square kilometers. 183 00:15:35,658 --> 00:15:39,973 {\an1}About the size of Rome. 184 00:15:40,008 --> 00:15:43,977 {\an1}And if she does find food, it's difficult to sneak up on 185 00:15:44,012 --> 00:15:49,224 {\an1}it because there just aren't enough places to hide. 186 00:15:52,882 --> 00:15:56,127 {\an1}These mountains help protect an opposite universe from 187 00:15:56,162 --> 00:15:59,303 {\an1}the cold air of the north. 188 00:15:59,337 --> 00:16:02,547 {\an1}Further south, there's a subtropical paradise where 189 00:16:02,582 --> 00:16:06,966 {\an1}animals have more than enough places to hide. 190 00:16:07,000 --> 00:16:10,970 {\an1}So much so, they need to up their game 191 00:16:11,004 --> 00:16:14,559 {\an1}to even get noticed at all. 192 00:16:16,665 --> 00:16:19,357 {\an1}The jungle of Yunnan. 193 00:16:19,392 --> 00:16:22,188 {\an1}Covering an area larger than California, 194 00:16:22,222 --> 00:16:27,987 {\an1}it's home to over half of the entire country's plant species. 195 00:16:28,021 --> 00:16:33,613 {\an1}It's a hidden kingdom that shouldn't really be there. 196 00:16:35,373 --> 00:16:39,205 {\an1}Deep narrow valleys funnel in warm, wet air, 197 00:16:39,239 --> 00:16:45,004 {\an1}making it one of the most northern jungles in the world. 198 00:16:49,008 --> 00:16:55,083 {\an1}A place where leaves and branches host some outlandish life forms. 199 00:16:55,117 --> 00:17:00,640 {\an1}With names that sound like characters plucked out of a comic book. 200 00:17:00,674 --> 00:17:05,507 {\an1}These little caterpillars are simply marvels of nature. 201 00:17:07,129 --> 00:17:09,062 {\an1}This is Chequers, 202 00:17:09,097 --> 00:17:12,341 {\an1}named after the geometric pattern down its back. 203 00:17:15,413 --> 00:17:18,037 {\an1}Shaped like a shield, this one's called, 204 00:17:18,071 --> 00:17:21,661 {\an1}funnily enough, the Shield. 205 00:17:23,076 --> 00:17:26,459 {\an1}With a prominent, nut-like lump in his middle, 206 00:17:26,493 --> 00:17:29,082 {\an1}this is Almond-back. 207 00:17:30,877 --> 00:17:35,019 {\an1}And dressed to impress, the Jester. 208 00:17:36,538 --> 00:17:39,713 {\an1}They may look cute but chemical weapons, 209 00:17:39,748 --> 00:17:43,303 {\an1}camouflage and deadly spines are all tools in the arsenal 210 00:17:43,338 --> 00:17:47,411 {\an1}of survival for these jungle caterpillars. 211 00:17:48,239 --> 00:17:51,449 {\an1}Thousands of tiny spines cover this species called 212 00:17:51,484 --> 00:17:54,418 {\an1}The Pin Cushion. 213 00:17:54,452 --> 00:17:57,248 {\an1}The pink bumps on its rear inflate and 214 00:17:57,283 --> 00:18:00,769 {\an1}contain even tinier pins to deter 215 00:18:00,803 --> 00:18:05,118 {\an1}any predator that crosses its path. 216 00:18:07,569 --> 00:18:13,506 {\an1}Dragonhead emerges from the egg, complete with horns, 217 00:18:13,540 --> 00:18:18,062 {\an1}ready to defend itself. 218 00:18:18,097 --> 00:18:21,928 {\an1}Reminiscent of a Chinese dragon. 219 00:18:24,310 --> 00:18:28,935 {\an1}The Snake Head wears a mask to hide its head. 220 00:18:28,969 --> 00:18:33,698 {\an1}While an airborne predator might think it's a snake, 221 00:18:33,733 --> 00:18:38,393 {\an1}this sneaky larva continues to feed uninterrupted. 222 00:18:39,394 --> 00:18:45,262 {\an1}But there's one costumed caterpillar that predators truly fear, Medusa. 223 00:18:47,022 --> 00:18:50,681 {\an1}Locked and loaded with a halo of stinging spines, 224 00:18:50,715 --> 00:18:54,616 {\an1}it's all about defense. 225 00:18:56,031 --> 00:19:00,139 {\an1}Each razor-sharp spike is a hollow needle connected to 226 00:19:00,173 --> 00:19:05,109 {\an1}a poison gland that's ready to inject a toxin 227 00:19:05,144 --> 00:19:10,114 {\an1}into anything unlucky enough to come too close. 228 00:19:13,773 --> 00:19:18,295 {\an1}Some caterpillars don't need weapons to survive. 229 00:19:18,329 --> 00:19:22,713 {\an1}They just sit very, very, still. 230 00:19:24,024 --> 00:19:26,544 {\an1}Like the Twig Caterpillar. 231 00:19:26,579 --> 00:19:29,098 {\an1}With legs set far apart, 232 00:19:29,133 --> 00:19:33,137 {\an1}it makes a characteristic hump as it walks. 233 00:19:33,172 --> 00:19:37,210 {\an1}Capable of remaining motionless and undetected 234 00:19:37,245 --> 00:19:42,181 {\an1}for days just like a twig. 235 00:19:43,492 --> 00:19:47,669 {\an1}Or perhaps a home-built fortress may suffice. 236 00:19:47,703 --> 00:19:51,742 {\an1}Inside these leaves, stuck together by her own silk, 237 00:19:51,776 --> 00:19:56,850 {\an1}is a female caterpillar known as the Witches Hat. 238 00:19:56,885 --> 00:19:59,301 {\an1}To accommodate a growing body, 239 00:19:59,336 --> 00:20:05,238 {\an1}this literal home maker adds to her hat, leaf by tiny leaf. 240 00:20:05,273 --> 00:20:08,345 {\an1}And she keeps a clean house. 241 00:20:11,796 --> 00:20:16,180 {\an1}After gently balancing her droppings on tiny silk threads, 242 00:20:16,215 --> 00:20:21,150 {\an1}she jettisons them as far as she can. 243 00:20:22,738 --> 00:20:27,916 {\an1}Eventually she'll turn into a wingless moth full of eggs. 244 00:20:27,950 --> 00:20:31,747 {\an1}But for now she'll stay in her cozy home, 245 00:20:31,782 --> 00:20:36,062 {\an1}until a male moth comes along to fertilize them. 246 00:20:36,580 --> 00:20:40,446 {\an1}All these caterpillars have the same simple goals, 247 00:20:40,480 --> 00:20:44,967 {\an1}to eat and not be eaten. 248 00:20:45,520 --> 00:20:48,281 {\an1}Stunning looks and impressive adaptations go 249 00:20:48,316 --> 00:20:52,492 {\an1}a long way in the jungle of Yunnan. 250 00:20:56,047 --> 00:21:00,707 {\an1}This rather handsome devil is the Great Hornbill. 251 00:21:00,742 --> 00:21:05,436 {\an1}Roughly the size of a bald eagle, he's a big bird. 252 00:21:07,162 --> 00:21:10,683 {\an1}He's also a loyal mate. 253 00:21:10,717 --> 00:21:13,996 {\an1}Although what the female hornbill does may seem to 254 00:21:14,031 --> 00:21:17,379 {\an1}us very strange indeed. 255 00:21:22,729 --> 00:21:25,491 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: This father hornbill will be the sole provider 256 00:21:25,525 --> 00:21:29,288 {\an1}for his family for the next four months. 257 00:21:30,565 --> 00:21:32,877 {\an1}But the mother hornbill is holed up 258 00:21:32,912 --> 00:21:35,984 {\an1}in this old tree with her chicks. 259 00:21:36,018 --> 00:21:40,195 {\an1}Trapped. 30 meters up. 260 00:21:42,370 --> 00:21:46,201 {\an1}Completely relying on him to feed her. 261 00:21:46,235 --> 00:21:50,930 {\an1}She had to enter the nest before laying her eggs, 262 00:21:50,964 --> 00:21:54,692 {\an1}and shed her flight feathers to make space for a growing brood. 263 00:21:57,523 --> 00:22:01,941 {\an1}Welcome to motherhood hornbill style. 264 00:22:03,770 --> 00:22:08,188 {\an1}It may seem extreme to us but this is the jungle and 265 00:22:08,223 --> 00:22:12,572 {\an1}you do what it takes to protect your babies. 266 00:22:15,264 --> 00:22:20,028 {\an1}Hornbills bond for life and this pair is nesting in 267 00:22:20,062 --> 00:22:24,412 {\an1}the same tree for the tenth year straight. 268 00:22:27,242 --> 00:22:30,625 {\an1}The mother's only outlet to the world is a narrow gap 269 00:22:30,659 --> 00:22:33,766 {\an1}within the tree hollow. 270 00:22:33,800 --> 00:22:37,356 {\an1}Wide enough for the male hornbill to supply food and 271 00:22:37,390 --> 00:22:41,670 {\an1}narrow enough to keep nest raiders out. 272 00:22:53,613 --> 00:22:56,513 {\an1}Like a kind of flying, candy machine, 273 00:22:56,547 --> 00:22:59,585 {\an1}dad returns to the nest many times a day with 274 00:22:59,619 --> 00:23:03,485 {\an1}a beak full of treats. 275 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:06,385 {\an1}He stores the fruit in a special pouch at the base of 276 00:23:06,419 --> 00:23:09,940 {\an1}his neck and to pass it onto the female, 277 00:23:09,974 --> 00:23:14,393 {\an1}he rolls each one out to the tip of his massive beak. 278 00:23:18,120 --> 00:23:22,021 {\an1}It's a highly skilled and precision operation... 279 00:23:23,505 --> 00:23:26,543 {\an1}most of the time. 280 00:23:30,547 --> 00:23:35,793 {\an1}The male hornbill is under intense pressure to feed hungry mouths. 281 00:23:43,560 --> 00:23:48,944 {\an1}Sugary fruit alone won't be enough to sustain his young. 282 00:23:50,325 --> 00:23:54,433 {\an1}This father has to do some real hunting. 283 00:23:55,641 --> 00:24:00,231 {\an1}A tiny owl chick will make a good protein hit. 284 00:24:01,025 --> 00:24:04,615 {\an1}But then. 285 00:24:04,650 --> 00:24:07,480 {\an1}It's gone. 286 00:24:07,515 --> 00:24:11,691 {\an1}The meal falls all the way to the jungle floor. 287 00:24:17,456 --> 00:24:21,563 {\an1}He has no choice but to go out and hunt again. 288 00:24:25,567 --> 00:24:30,158 {\an1}While the female waits patiently with their brood. 289 00:24:35,370 --> 00:24:38,269 {\an1}He snatches an even bigger chick. 290 00:24:38,304 --> 00:24:41,618 {\an1}A prize he can't afford to lose. 291 00:25:02,949 --> 00:25:07,575 {\an1}It's too big for the entrance. 292 00:25:12,269 --> 00:25:16,618 {\an1}He crushes the bones and he tries again. 293 00:25:18,033 --> 00:25:22,037 {\an1}Still too big. 294 00:25:25,040 --> 00:25:27,077 {\an1}But he's not giving up. 295 00:25:27,111 --> 00:25:31,012 {\an1}That beak is not just for show. 296 00:25:37,984 --> 00:25:42,437 {\an1}Finally. Success. 297 00:25:42,471 --> 00:25:45,129 {\an1}It'll be a while before the hornbill chicks can leave 298 00:25:45,164 --> 00:25:49,651 {\an1}their sanctuary high up in the jungle tree. 299 00:25:51,929 --> 00:25:55,623 {\an1}Trees provide more than just shelter. 300 00:25:57,901 --> 00:26:00,869 {\an1}Clean air, food. 301 00:26:00,904 --> 00:26:04,390 {\an1}They are magnificent silent heroes. 302 00:26:04,424 --> 00:26:08,636 {\an1}And some of them are massive. 303 00:26:09,809 --> 00:26:12,847 {\an1}This is a Banyan tree, 304 00:26:12,881 --> 00:26:19,439 {\an1}300 years old and said to be the largest in all of China. 305 00:26:23,133 --> 00:26:26,515 {\an1}Out of its branches thousands of aerial roots 306 00:26:26,550 --> 00:26:30,658 {\an1}spread in all directions. 307 00:26:30,692 --> 00:26:35,317 {\an1}From these, others sprout and reach for the ground. 308 00:26:35,352 --> 00:26:39,598 {\an1}Then they thicken and form new trunks. 309 00:26:40,184 --> 00:26:44,844 {\an1}The crown covers an astonishing 8,000 square meters 310 00:26:45,983 --> 00:26:50,194 {\an1}around the size of a football field. 311 00:26:51,644 --> 00:26:56,442 {\an1}This Banyan tree is so big it makes its own forest. 312 00:26:58,306 --> 00:27:02,103 {\an1}It's also sacred. 313 00:27:03,414 --> 00:27:09,006 {\an1}Visitors leave red colored offerings for happiness and good luck. 314 00:27:16,117 --> 00:27:20,673 {\an1}Meanwhile, back in the bamboo forests of the east. 315 00:27:20,708 --> 00:27:23,918 {\an1}The mother panda is getting ready to introduce her baby 316 00:27:23,952 --> 00:27:27,853 {\an1}to the big wide world. 317 00:27:31,408 --> 00:27:34,722 {\an1}At just a few months old, the baby panda still drinks 318 00:27:34,756 --> 00:27:39,002 {\an1}his mom's milk several times a day. 319 00:27:46,388 --> 00:27:49,081 {\an1}But the older he gets, 320 00:27:49,115 --> 00:27:53,844 {\an1}the more he can explore on his own and learn about the forest. 321 00:27:56,744 --> 00:28:01,058 {\an1}As long as his mother is not too far away. 322 00:28:15,417 --> 00:28:18,351 {\an1}Turns out, there's plenty to discover in all the 323 00:28:18,386 --> 00:28:22,804 {\an1}different parts of the bamboo kingdom. 324 00:28:22,839 --> 00:28:27,188 {\an1}And so many new creatures to meet. 325 00:28:39,062 --> 00:28:42,513 {\an1}Like this six-legged alien predator. 326 00:28:42,548 --> 00:28:46,725 {\an1}At just under five centimeters long, she packs a mighty punch, 327 00:28:46,759 --> 00:28:50,107 {\an1}an inspiration for China's Kung Fu masters. 328 00:29:00,014 --> 00:29:04,743 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: This female, jeweled flower mantis is looking for flowers 329 00:29:06,503 --> 00:29:10,058 {\an1}because they attract her favorite prey, 330 00:29:14,960 --> 00:29:18,446 {\an1}flies. 331 00:29:23,416 --> 00:29:28,111 {\an1}Not here to chat, they're here to drink nectar. 332 00:29:39,018 --> 00:29:43,022 {\an1}But she's here to eat. 333 00:29:50,064 --> 00:29:53,377 {\an1}And she's being watched. 334 00:30:02,973 --> 00:30:07,426 {\an1}A smaller, male mantis creeps closer. 335 00:30:09,704 --> 00:30:12,603 {\an1}He's only after one thing. 336 00:30:12,638 --> 00:30:16,745 {\an1}And it's not the chewed-up fly. 337 00:30:16,780 --> 00:30:19,196 {\an1}Even though she's just eaten, 338 00:30:19,231 --> 00:30:23,338 {\an1}he should still tread carefully. 339 00:30:27,895 --> 00:30:31,899 {\an1}A big beetle joins the party. 340 00:30:44,497 --> 00:30:47,259 {\an1}Impressive. 341 00:30:49,433 --> 00:30:54,128 {\an1}But now, back to business. 342 00:31:03,931 --> 00:31:07,348 {\an1}He better be careful, 343 00:31:09,212 --> 00:31:14,596 {\an1}a female praying mantis will sometimes eat her man. 344 00:31:24,089 --> 00:31:28,887 {\an1}These are the baby panda's first steps to independence. 345 00:31:35,410 --> 00:31:40,346 {\an1}Pandas are mostly loners so these two years together 346 00:31:40,381 --> 00:31:43,591 {\an1}with mom are precious. 347 00:31:45,973 --> 00:31:51,254 {\an1}[squeaking]. 348 00:31:55,879 --> 00:31:58,847 {\an1}He could be just one of a handful of cubs she raises 349 00:31:58,882 --> 00:32:03,024 {\an1}in her lifetime, so the next stage is one of the most 350 00:32:03,059 --> 00:32:06,890 {\an1}important for both of them. 351 00:32:13,000 --> 00:32:17,211 {\an1}It's a different story for the four fox cubs. 352 00:32:19,558 --> 00:32:24,597 {\an1}Their mother has been gone a long time and dad is left 353 00:32:24,632 --> 00:32:27,324 {\an1}with the job of watching them... 354 00:32:31,811 --> 00:32:35,091 {\an1}and feeding them. 355 00:32:45,687 --> 00:32:50,037 {\an1}These cubs are so dependent on their parents. 356 00:32:53,281 --> 00:32:56,388 {\an1}But the odds of survival are slim, 357 00:32:56,422 --> 00:33:00,564 {\an1}one out of five fox cubs won't make it. 358 00:33:01,048 --> 00:33:05,949 {\an1}[yipping]. 359 00:33:06,536 --> 00:33:09,677 {\an1}If things get really tough, these four may form their 360 00:33:09,711 --> 00:33:14,164 {\an1}own hierarchy, which won't be good for the little sister. 361 00:33:20,722 --> 00:33:24,450 {\an1}Fall arrives in China's high mountain forests. 362 00:33:27,246 --> 00:33:31,630 {\an1}At similar latitudes to North America's deciduous forests, 363 00:33:31,664 --> 00:33:35,082 {\an1}these glorious colors look very familiar. 364 00:33:42,365 --> 00:33:46,955 {\an1}The new baby snub-nosed monkey is growing stronger every day. 365 00:33:48,302 --> 00:33:52,547 {\an1}She's six months old but still needs her mom. 366 00:33:59,830 --> 00:34:05,698 {\an1}Experimentation and discovery have begun for this little one. 367 00:34:08,253 --> 00:34:12,360 {\an1}Her first new tastes, 368 00:34:12,395 --> 00:34:15,881 {\an1}and her inaugural attempts at grooming. 369 00:34:20,092 --> 00:34:24,510 {\an1}But the best part, she's confidently mobile. 370 00:34:28,790 --> 00:34:33,588 {\an1}So now she spends a lot of her time playing. 371 00:34:38,593 --> 00:34:42,425 {\an1}It may be fun, but like for most of us mammals, 372 00:34:42,459 --> 00:34:45,911 {\an1}it's important too. 373 00:34:46,877 --> 00:34:50,433 {\an1}Playing keeps this little monkey fit and strong, 374 00:34:50,467 --> 00:34:55,093 {\an1}gives her good social skills and sharpens her brain too. 375 00:34:55,610 --> 00:34:58,855 {\an1}[squeaking]. 376 00:34:58,889 --> 00:35:02,617 {\an1}As long as she gets the landing right. 377 00:35:03,756 --> 00:35:08,761 {\an1}In Chinese folklore, monkeys symbolize rebellion and mischief. 378 00:35:10,246 --> 00:35:12,834 {\an1}It's no wonder. 379 00:35:12,869 --> 00:35:16,597 {\an1}The troop's bachelor gang fits the part. 380 00:35:24,087 --> 00:35:28,919 {\an1}Families push out these young males before they turn three. 381 00:35:36,789 --> 00:35:40,862 {\an1}And boys will be boys. 382 00:35:49,008 --> 00:35:51,666 {\an1}They're preparing for the day when they'll fight to 383 00:35:51,701 --> 00:35:54,945 {\an1}win their own family. 384 00:36:02,919 --> 00:36:08,166 {\an1}One of the older males has already reached that point. 385 00:36:11,238 --> 00:36:14,344 {\an1}Aged seven, those warts on his lips show that 386 00:36:14,379 --> 00:36:18,037 {\an1}this bachelor is ready. 387 00:36:19,038 --> 00:36:24,009 {\an1}Apparently, the little lumps are attractive to females. 388 00:36:24,665 --> 00:36:27,323 {\an1}But he can only win the right to mate 389 00:36:27,357 --> 00:36:30,429 {\an1}if he can take over a family. 390 00:36:30,464 --> 00:36:36,124 {\an1}That means he must overthrow the father of the baby monkey. 391 00:36:40,439 --> 00:36:43,684 {\an1}MICHELLE: The alpha male and his family are under threat 392 00:36:43,718 --> 00:36:46,997 {\an1}in China's high mountain forests. 393 00:36:49,897 --> 00:36:51,761 {\an1}Other males may kill the babies, 394 00:36:51,795 --> 00:36:54,108 {\an1}if they succeed in taking over. 395 00:36:54,142 --> 00:36:58,871 {\an1}Simply so they can sire their own offspring. 396 00:36:59,838 --> 00:37:05,223 {\an1}[screaming]. 397 00:37:05,671 --> 00:37:09,399 {\an1}The little monkey's father is an experienced fighter. 398 00:37:14,266 --> 00:37:18,960 {\an1}He's not as strong as he used to be, 399 00:37:18,995 --> 00:37:22,654 {\an1}but his harem of females has got his back. 400 00:37:22,757 --> 00:37:26,830 {\an1}♪ 401 00:37:26,865 --> 00:37:30,834 {\an1}So, he still has the upper hand. 402 00:37:30,869 --> 00:37:37,289 {\an1}♪ 403 00:37:46,747 --> 00:37:50,682 {\an1}The challenger is sent packing, 404 00:37:50,716 --> 00:37:54,824 {\an1}and father maintains his position as head of the family. 405 00:37:56,964 --> 00:38:00,692 {\an1}The females seem happy to keep him there. 406 00:38:00,726 --> 00:38:05,386 {\an1}He returns to the baby monkey's mother for comfort. 407 00:38:09,701 --> 00:38:13,498 {\an1}And because fall is the breeding season, 408 00:38:13,532 --> 00:38:17,778 {\an1}he's about to get some extra looks from the girls. 409 00:38:20,850 --> 00:38:24,923 {\an1}To win his affection they shower him with attention. 410 00:38:29,376 --> 00:38:34,450 {\an1}Female golden snub-nosed monkeys use grooming as currency, 411 00:38:34,484 --> 00:38:38,488 {\an1}hoping to exchange it for romance. 412 00:38:44,667 --> 00:38:49,154 {\an1}This one seems to be finding all the right spots. 413 00:38:50,604 --> 00:38:56,368 {\an1}♪ 414 00:38:59,544 --> 00:39:02,823 {\an1}Until the kids get in the way. 415 00:39:07,103 --> 00:39:10,624 {\an1}They'll mate several times. 416 00:39:13,281 --> 00:39:17,631 {\an1}And fingers crossed, this female will give birth next spring. 417 00:39:27,641 --> 00:39:31,230 {\an1}As fall progresses in China's mountain forests, 418 00:39:31,265 --> 00:39:34,613 {\an1}trees continue to shed their leaves. 419 00:39:34,648 --> 00:39:38,893 {\an1}A strategy to save energy during the cold months ahead. 420 00:39:40,447 --> 00:39:44,589 {\an1}This means less food for the monkeys although they make 421 00:39:44,623 --> 00:39:48,489 {\an1}do with bamboo leaves and pine needles. 422 00:39:54,115 --> 00:39:58,603 {\an1}While all the other forest creatures get ready for winter. 423 00:39:59,811 --> 00:40:04,160 {\an1}Other animals take colder temperatures in stride. 424 00:40:07,232 --> 00:40:11,788 {\an1}They don't have a choice. 425 00:40:13,480 --> 00:40:15,758 {\an1}High up in the mountains 426 00:40:15,792 --> 00:40:18,657 {\an1}the snow leopard mother and her cub cross into 427 00:40:18,692 --> 00:40:23,041 {\an1}an area of steep cliffs and crumbling rocks. 428 00:40:27,321 --> 00:40:31,083 {\an1}Finding food here is a challenge. 429 00:40:31,118 --> 00:40:34,880 {\an1}But actually catching it? 430 00:40:34,915 --> 00:40:38,539 {\an1}That's on another level. 431 00:40:38,574 --> 00:40:41,439 {\an1}Literally. 432 00:40:42,543 --> 00:40:47,030 {\an1}Hunting in these mountains is a serious undertaking. 433 00:40:50,482 --> 00:40:54,521 {\an1}These blue sheep are the leopard's main target. 434 00:40:55,867 --> 00:40:59,595 {\an1}And just like her, they're able to disappear into the rocks. 435 00:41:03,702 --> 00:41:07,879 {\an1}The sheep are expert climbers on the steep cliffs, 436 00:41:07,913 --> 00:41:11,503 {\an1}a skill that helps them access one of their favorite foods, 437 00:41:12,953 --> 00:41:16,991 {\an1}the energy-rich lichen. 438 00:41:18,096 --> 00:41:22,687 {\an1}These high-altitude herbivores are built for the job. 439 00:41:22,721 --> 00:41:25,413 {\an1}Split hooves make rock-climbing easier as they 440 00:41:25,448 --> 00:41:28,934 {\an1}spread the animal's weight for better balance. 441 00:41:30,764 --> 00:41:35,182 {\an1}And rough pads under each toe give them a suction-like grip. 442 00:41:36,977 --> 00:41:40,463 {\an1}These sheep don't slip. 443 00:41:42,327 --> 00:41:44,881 {\an1}A tough target for the mother snow leopard, 444 00:41:44,916 --> 00:41:47,988 {\an1}but worth the trouble. 445 00:41:51,474 --> 00:41:54,684 {\an1}And if a sheep can climb these rocks, 446 00:41:54,719 --> 00:41:58,239 {\an1}then it shouldn't be any problem for a cat. 447 00:42:03,382 --> 00:42:07,732 {\an1}Still, practice makes perfect. 448 00:42:12,564 --> 00:42:15,567 {\an1}Patience too. 449 00:42:15,602 --> 00:42:20,192 {\an1}The blue sheep don't just eat lichen from the craggy cliffs. 450 00:42:20,227 --> 00:42:23,437 {\an1}They also need to graze the open slopes where they rely 451 00:42:23,471 --> 00:42:26,820 {\an1}on strength in numbers. 452 00:42:29,305 --> 00:42:34,482 {\an1}The terrain may be easier here but there are fewer places to hide. 453 00:42:35,345 --> 00:42:37,865 {\an1}Mom and her cub need a different hunting strategy 454 00:42:37,900 --> 00:42:40,558 {\an1}if they're to succeed. 455 00:42:41,489 --> 00:42:44,907 {\an1}The skill is in the ambush. 456 00:42:46,633 --> 00:42:50,291 {\an1}Playfulness morphs into hunting practice. 457 00:42:50,326 --> 00:42:53,881 {\an1}The cub tricks his mother but can he do it for real? 458 00:42:55,158 --> 00:42:58,576 {\an1}The time has come to put him to the test. 459 00:43:02,269 --> 00:43:04,961 {\an1}MICHELLE: A small group of blue sheep has moved away 460 00:43:04,996 --> 00:43:07,619 {\an1}from the main herd. 461 00:43:07,654 --> 00:43:10,449 {\an1}Ripe for the picking. 462 00:43:13,694 --> 00:43:16,317 {\an1}The mother snow leopard rolls in the dirt, 463 00:43:16,352 --> 00:43:20,183 {\an1}perhaps to add to her camo. 464 00:43:24,705 --> 00:43:28,882 {\an1}But her cub is in danger of giving her position away. 465 00:43:36,475 --> 00:43:40,479 {\an1}He's old enough now to know to keep down low and stay out of 466 00:43:40,514 --> 00:43:44,483 {\an1}the sheep's line of sight. 467 00:43:45,484 --> 00:43:51,559 {\an1}Mom moves in from behind with silence and stealth. 468 00:43:57,255 --> 00:44:00,568 {\an1}The cub holds his position. 469 00:44:02,709 --> 00:44:06,402 {\an1}They're in the perfect place to make a kill. 470 00:44:09,336 --> 00:44:13,685 {\an1}But the sheep are twitchy. 471 00:44:16,377 --> 00:44:20,105 {\an1}The game is up. 472 00:44:25,524 --> 00:44:29,805 {\an1}Bad luck this time but the cub adds to his ambush bag of 473 00:44:29,839 --> 00:44:33,015 {\an1}tricks for next time. 474 00:44:43,404 --> 00:44:47,857 {\an1}Overnight, another hunter takes down one of the sheep. 475 00:44:50,688 --> 00:44:54,484 {\an1}Remote cameras capture rare moments of predators and 476 00:44:54,519 --> 00:44:58,281 {\an1}scavengers dining on this precious meal. 477 00:44:58,316 --> 00:45:02,596 {\an1}A golden eagle shares the prize with a red fox. 478 00:45:05,150 --> 00:45:08,878 {\an1}A Tibetan fox grabs what he can. 479 00:45:10,846 --> 00:45:16,541 {\an1}And then, another snow leopard pair takes their share of the carcass. 480 00:45:37,010 --> 00:45:40,254 {\an1}50 million years ago, the grasslands that cover 481 00:45:40,289 --> 00:45:45,743 {\an1}China's Qinghai Tibet Plateau were an ancient sea. 482 00:45:47,814 --> 00:45:51,783 {\an1}But when the Himalayas were formed they were thrust up, 483 00:45:51,818 --> 00:45:54,752 {\an1}five kilometers high. 484 00:45:57,168 --> 00:46:01,344 {\an1}[thunder]. 485 00:46:01,379 --> 00:46:05,038 {\an1}Today, melting glaciers from the surrounding mountains 486 00:46:05,072 --> 00:46:07,316 {\an1}create hundreds of lakes, 487 00:46:07,350 --> 00:46:10,664 {\an1}which nourish these great plains. 488 00:46:12,597 --> 00:46:16,014 {\an1}Like the mighty Donggei Cuona. 489 00:46:18,223 --> 00:46:21,917 {\an1}For most of the year it's covered in ice, 490 00:46:25,058 --> 00:46:30,649 {\an1}but during the summer it becomes a precious oasis. 491 00:46:33,998 --> 00:46:39,417 {\an1}Its waters help support a diversity of life. 492 00:46:49,876 --> 00:46:55,847 {\an1}These high grasslands echo to the courtship duet of very rare visitors. 493 00:46:55,882 --> 00:46:58,160 {\an1}[squawking]. 494 00:46:58,194 --> 00:47:00,783 {\an1}Black-necked cranes. 495 00:47:01,784 --> 00:47:05,063 {\an1}Almost the entire world population of an estimated 496 00:47:05,098 --> 00:47:10,862 {\an1}11,000 nest along the shores of these great lakes during the summer. 497 00:47:11,898 --> 00:47:16,074 {\an1}[squawking]. 498 00:47:16,109 --> 00:47:20,838 {\an1}It's a safe place to raise a family and there's plenty of food. 499 00:47:26,222 --> 00:47:30,364 {\an1}For centuries, Tibetans have revered these birds as symbols 500 00:47:30,399 --> 00:47:35,335 {\an1}of longevity and harmony between people and nature. 501 00:47:41,134 --> 00:47:46,346 {\an1}The Tibetan fox family live by the lakeshore too. 502 00:47:47,934 --> 00:47:52,179 {\an1}The four cubs are still waiting for their mom. 503 00:47:53,042 --> 00:47:57,633 {\an1}So dad has the full-time job of supplying them with snacks. 504 00:47:59,428 --> 00:48:03,811 {\an1}Thankfully the snacks live within easy range. 505 00:48:06,504 --> 00:48:09,438 {\an1}Pikas. 506 00:48:09,472 --> 00:48:12,682 {\an1}They're related to rabbits but are about the size of 507 00:48:12,717 --> 00:48:19,068 {\an1}a guinea pig and make up to 95% of the Tibetan fox diet. 508 00:48:20,621 --> 00:48:23,107 {\an1}They live in large, underground colonies with 509 00:48:23,141 --> 00:48:26,213 {\an1}hundreds of individuals. 510 00:48:26,248 --> 00:48:29,113 {\an1}And, like most of the vegetarians up here, 511 00:48:29,147 --> 00:48:33,496 {\an1}spend most of the summer grazing on the grass. 512 00:48:34,221 --> 00:48:39,019 {\an1}They can eat as much as half their body weight each day. 513 00:48:45,508 --> 00:48:47,959 {\an1}Pikas may live in underground burrows 514 00:48:47,994 --> 00:48:51,790 {\an1}but the foxes have got that covered. 515 00:48:52,722 --> 00:48:57,037 {\an1}[chirping]. 516 00:48:58,176 --> 00:49:00,385 {\an1}[chirping, growling]. 517 00:49:05,494 --> 00:49:08,186 {\an1}[growling]. 518 00:49:09,084 --> 00:49:12,087 {\an1}Their extremely long canines help them hook the little 519 00:49:12,121 --> 00:49:15,849 {\an1}mammals from a tight spot. 520 00:49:15,883 --> 00:49:18,507 {\an1}Big and powerful jaw muscles make their heads 521 00:49:18,541 --> 00:49:22,269 {\an1}a little larger than usual. 522 00:49:22,304 --> 00:49:26,964 {\an1}The head also seems to hide the rest of their body when hunting in the open. 523 00:49:36,249 --> 00:49:41,081 {\an1}The fox makes use of the slightest contours of the land for the ambush. 524 00:49:46,293 --> 00:49:50,021 {\an1}This pika is grazing very close to its burrow, 525 00:49:50,056 --> 00:49:52,886 {\an1}too easy an escape. 526 00:49:52,920 --> 00:49:56,476 {\an1}So, dad needs to get within at least three meters to 527 00:49:56,510 --> 00:50:00,411 {\an1}have any chance of grabbing it. 528 00:50:02,585 --> 00:50:06,831 {\an1}[chattering]. 529 00:50:06,865 --> 00:50:12,216 {\an1}He must catch around 20 pikas a day if he's to satisfy his large brood. 530 00:50:16,013 --> 00:50:18,981 {\an1}The cubs get what they need for now, 531 00:50:19,016 --> 00:50:23,020 {\an1}even little sis snags her share. 532 00:50:24,297 --> 00:50:27,576 {\an1}Dad's exhausted. 533 00:50:32,581 --> 00:50:35,756 {\an1}Mother fox has been gone for days. 534 00:50:35,791 --> 00:50:38,828 {\an1}Where could she be? 535 00:50:40,347 --> 00:50:42,142 {\an1}Little do they know, 536 00:50:42,177 --> 00:50:46,043 {\an1}tragedy has struck on China's grasslands. 537 00:50:46,422 --> 00:50:51,427 {\an1}The fox cubs' mom has fallen victim to Tibetan wolves. 538 00:50:53,222 --> 00:50:57,364 {\an1}Father fox is really on his own now. 539 00:51:01,368 --> 00:51:06,994 {\an1}The hidden kingdoms of China hold a whole other secret world. 540 00:51:07,029 --> 00:51:09,997 {\an1}At night. 541 00:51:10,757 --> 00:51:14,830 {\an1}No jungle ever really sleeps. 542 00:51:17,488 --> 00:51:20,698 {\an1}In the subtropical forests of Yunnan, 543 00:51:20,732 --> 00:51:24,115 {\an1}another male resident is on the prowl. 544 00:51:24,150 --> 00:51:27,463 {\an1}For food? Or for females? 545 00:51:27,498 --> 00:51:32,434 {\an1}Either way, he takes advantage of the dark to get what he wants. 546 00:51:35,575 --> 00:51:38,336 {\an1}This is a Slow Loris. 547 00:51:38,371 --> 00:51:43,203 {\an1}Also known in China as the Bee Monkey. 548 00:51:43,238 --> 00:51:46,965 {\an1}The world's only venomous primates have a bite that may 549 00:51:47,000 --> 00:51:50,693 {\an1}protect them against predators. 550 00:52:03,568 --> 00:52:06,640 {\an1}They also have special blood vessels in their wrists and 551 00:52:06,675 --> 00:52:10,127 {\an1}ankles that deliver oxygen to their muscles, 552 00:52:10,161 --> 00:52:15,235 {\an1}allowing them to hang onto branches for hours at a time. 553 00:52:20,551 --> 00:52:25,418 {\an1}The slow loris is a hunter of the night. 554 00:52:28,524 --> 00:52:32,183 {\an1}Forward facing eyes give him stereoscopic vision for 555 00:52:32,218 --> 00:52:35,635 {\an1}pinpoint depth perception. 556 00:52:35,669 --> 00:52:38,672 {\an1}And a reflective layer behind the retina lets him 557 00:52:38,707 --> 00:52:44,368 {\an1}see well in low light, essential for a nocturnal predator. 558 00:52:48,337 --> 00:52:50,960 {\an1}Since most insects are cold blooded, 559 00:52:50,995 --> 00:52:54,757 {\an1}they tend to slow down in the cool of the night. 560 00:52:54,792 --> 00:52:59,866 {\an1}So, they play right into the hands of the Bee Monkey. 561 00:53:01,316 --> 00:53:06,390 {\an1}He's more about stealth than speed. 562 00:53:15,261 --> 00:53:20,024 {\an1}Tonight though, he's distracted by her. 563 00:53:28,412 --> 00:53:33,210 {\an1}But she's not in heat right now and would rather stick 564 00:53:33,244 --> 00:53:37,214 {\an1}to gobbling up bugs herself. 565 00:53:50,330 --> 00:53:54,438 {\an1}Sorry darling not tonight. 566 00:53:59,236 --> 00:54:03,619 {\an1}In China's bamboo forests after dark there are other 567 00:54:03,654 --> 00:54:07,623 {\an1}male creatures having more luck with the girls. 568 00:54:07,658 --> 00:54:11,938 {\an1}But be careful what you wish for. 569 00:54:21,672 --> 00:54:25,572 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: Meet the Emei mustache toad. 570 00:54:27,712 --> 00:54:32,614 {\an1}16 sharp spines on his nose defend his breeding site, 571 00:54:33,270 --> 00:54:37,204 {\an1}[croaking]. 572 00:54:39,448 --> 00:54:43,383 {\an1}a smooth flat rock. 573 00:54:44,488 --> 00:54:48,906 {\an1}This is where he wants multiple females to lay their eggs. 574 00:54:48,940 --> 00:54:52,703 {\an1}So far, he's been quite successful. 575 00:54:52,737 --> 00:54:56,120 {\an1}But he wants more. 576 00:54:59,606 --> 00:55:03,783 {\an1}And he's not the only male Emei toad playing this game. 577 00:55:04,818 --> 00:55:09,167 {\an1}There's a rival close by looking for his own love rock. 578 00:55:11,549 --> 00:55:14,794 {\an1}[croaking]. 579 00:55:14,828 --> 00:55:17,590 {\an1}Perhaps using the rock as an amplifier, 580 00:55:17,624 --> 00:55:21,318 {\an1}he presses his back against it to advertise his nest with 581 00:55:21,352 --> 00:55:23,906 {\an1}a cacophony of croaks. 582 00:55:23,941 --> 00:55:25,908 {\an1}[croaking]. 583 00:55:25,943 --> 00:55:29,118 {\an1}It's not enough though he needs more volume. 584 00:55:30,396 --> 00:55:35,297 {\an1}The other guy's rock looks and sounds better. 585 00:55:35,332 --> 00:55:39,819 {\an1}[croaking]. 586 00:55:40,440 --> 00:55:44,824 {\an1}[croaking]. 587 00:55:47,309 --> 00:55:51,278 {\an1}Time to take that rock all for himself. 588 00:55:53,315 --> 00:55:55,835 {\an1}It's a toad showdown. 589 00:55:57,077 --> 00:56:01,427 {\an1}[croaking]. 590 00:56:01,461 --> 00:56:04,602 {\an1}But the first guy has the upper hand. 591 00:56:05,154 --> 00:56:09,952 {\an1}[croaking]. 592 00:56:17,857 --> 00:56:22,689 {\an1}He pushes him out and keeps his rock. 593 00:56:29,558 --> 00:56:34,874 {\an1}And it doesn't go unnoticed by this gorgeous creature, 594 00:56:35,564 --> 00:56:37,704 {\an1}a passing female. 595 00:56:37,739 --> 00:56:40,983 {\an1}[croaking]. 596 00:56:41,018 --> 00:56:44,987 {\an1}What happens next has never been filmed in the wild, 597 00:56:45,298 --> 00:56:49,440 {\an1}the Emei Mustache toad courtship dance. 598 00:56:50,993 --> 00:56:54,928 {\an1}It starts with a wave and a wink. 599 00:56:57,103 --> 00:57:02,453 {\an1}His goal is to have her lay her eggs next to those left by previous females. 600 00:57:06,630 --> 00:57:10,668 {\an1}But she takes some convincing. 601 00:57:10,703 --> 00:57:13,982 {\an1}A neck rub, maybe? 602 00:57:21,403 --> 00:57:25,614 {\an1}Back scratch? 603 00:57:25,649 --> 00:57:29,618 {\an1}Whatever he's doing, it works. 604 00:57:35,555 --> 00:57:39,663 {\an1}[croaking]. 605 00:57:39,697 --> 00:57:44,219 {\an1}She's ready to release her eggs. 606 00:58:02,030 --> 00:58:06,413 {\an1}Then, she presses herself against the tiny eggs and 607 00:58:06,448 --> 00:58:10,245 {\an1}glues them to his carefully guarded rock. 608 00:58:16,596 --> 00:58:21,394 {\an1}But there's a twist. 609 00:58:27,262 --> 00:58:30,783 {\an1}Mother toad's job here is done. 610 00:58:30,817 --> 00:58:34,234 {\an1}She leaves Mr. Toad to look after their brood until they 611 00:58:34,269 --> 00:58:37,583 {\an1}hatch into tadpoles. 612 00:58:42,484 --> 00:58:46,661 {\an1}The bamboo forest at night hides many secret worlds under 613 00:58:46,695 --> 00:58:51,562 {\an1}the rocks and inside the bamboo. 614 00:58:52,667 --> 00:58:57,361 {\an1}This species is known as spiny bamboo. 615 00:58:57,395 --> 00:58:59,950 {\an1}It grows to twice the height of a telephone pole. 616 00:58:59,984 --> 00:59:02,642 {\an1}And its stems are hollow. 617 00:59:02,677 --> 00:59:06,784 {\an1}Some of them have tiny slits made by beetles, 618 00:59:06,819 --> 00:59:11,306 {\an1}born from eggs inside the bamboo that have since cut their way out. 619 00:59:14,896 --> 00:59:19,279 {\an1}One animal takes advantage of this real estate. 620 00:59:19,763 --> 00:59:21,937 {\an1}At just a couple of centimeters long, 621 00:59:21,972 --> 00:59:24,940 {\an1}it's one of the smallest mammals in the world. 622 00:59:28,979 --> 00:59:33,431 {\an1}The lesser bamboo bat. 623 00:59:44,097 --> 00:59:50,034 {\an1}One male shares a segment of the bamboo stem with up to 12 females and their babies. 624 00:59:58,180 --> 01:00:01,045 {\an1}The infants are still too young to fly, 625 01:00:01,080 --> 01:00:06,395 {\an1}so their parents leave them alone while they go out hunting for insects. 626 01:00:06,430 --> 01:00:09,606 {\an1}Specially flattened skulls help them squeeze their way 627 01:00:09,640 --> 01:00:13,886 {\an1}out of slits just a couple of centimeters wide. 628 01:00:24,966 --> 01:00:28,279 {\an1}Even though the bats hunt in short bursts, 629 01:00:28,314 --> 01:00:33,284 {\an1}every minute they're away leaves their babies vulnerable. 630 01:00:37,737 --> 01:00:42,880 {\an1}A Chinese beauty rat snake sniffs out a meal. 631 01:00:50,681 --> 01:00:55,548 {\an1}That tongue can sense live meat. 632 01:01:00,760 --> 01:01:06,214 {\an1}The snake knows the bamboo holds something good to eat. 633 01:01:13,255 --> 01:01:18,157 {\an1}Reptilian eyes lock in on the baby bats. 634 01:01:20,228 --> 01:01:26,613 {\an1}[squeaking]. 635 01:01:35,968 --> 01:01:39,730 {\an1}But the bats know what they're doing. 636 01:01:39,765 --> 01:01:44,355 {\an1}The nest hole is too narrow for a snake. 637 01:01:45,425 --> 01:01:49,222 {\an1}Their babies are safe, for now. 638 01:01:49,257 --> 01:01:53,330 {\an1}At around a month old they'll leave the nest. 639 01:01:53,364 --> 01:01:57,506 {\an1}Let's hope the snake's still not waiting. 640 01:02:04,306 --> 01:02:09,795 {\an1}The queen of the bamboo forest invests a lot more time in her offspring. 641 01:02:12,867 --> 01:02:16,180 {\an1}At eight months old, he's still drinking her milk 642 01:02:16,215 --> 01:02:20,184 {\an1}but he has started to take an interest in other food. 643 01:02:20,219 --> 01:02:24,568 {\an1}And when we say other food, we really mean bamboo of course, 644 01:02:25,983 --> 01:02:28,641 {\an1}and more bamboo. 645 01:02:28,675 --> 01:02:32,058 {\an1}There's a lot for him to learn about bamboo. 646 01:02:32,093 --> 01:02:36,753 {\an1}What type and which part is best to eat. 647 01:02:39,100 --> 01:02:43,138 {\an1}The newer shoots are rich in nitrogen and phosphorous. 648 01:02:43,173 --> 01:02:47,246 {\an1}And the leaves provide calcium. 649 01:02:48,765 --> 01:02:53,459 {\an1}It's all good stuff. 650 01:02:56,255 --> 01:03:01,053 {\an1}But then, the mother panda does a fascinating thing 651 01:03:01,087 --> 01:03:04,194 {\an1}that may add to her cub's diet. 652 01:03:08,854 --> 01:03:13,651 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: Something rarely seen is underway in China's bamboo forest. 653 01:03:15,067 --> 01:03:19,347 {\an1}The mother panda encourages her cub to lick her lips, 654 01:03:19,381 --> 01:03:22,281 {\an1}which seems to make her salivate. 655 01:03:25,802 --> 01:03:29,564 {\an1}Then he drinks this saliva, 656 01:03:29,598 --> 01:03:33,810 {\an1}possibly giving his immune system a boost. 657 01:03:48,997 --> 01:03:55,072 {\an1}By doing this, mom gives her cub the best possible start in life 658 01:03:55,107 --> 01:04:00,629 {\an1}but he still has at least another year to go under her watchful eye. 659 01:04:07,809 --> 01:04:12,193 {\an1}With more confidence, he becomes more adventurous. 660 01:04:17,646 --> 01:04:22,203 {\an1}But he shouldn't stray too far. 661 01:04:25,413 --> 01:04:30,349 {\an1}Alone, baby pandas are vulnerable. 662 01:04:31,557 --> 01:04:33,628 {\an1}In some of China's forests, 663 01:04:33,662 --> 01:04:38,253 {\an1}there are predators like jackals and leopards. 664 01:04:40,704 --> 01:04:43,051 {\an1}The cub's been gone too long, 665 01:04:43,086 --> 01:04:46,296 {\an1}the mother panda needs to find him. 666 01:04:50,162 --> 01:04:51,922 {\an1}With poor eyesight, 667 01:04:51,957 --> 01:04:55,892 {\an1}pandas use their heightened sense of smell to locate each other. 668 01:05:03,002 --> 01:05:05,625 {\an1}There he is. 669 01:05:05,660 --> 01:05:09,250 {\an1}She's catches his scent and calls to him. 670 01:05:12,494 --> 01:05:17,637 {\an1}[panda bleating]. 671 01:05:26,923 --> 01:05:31,928 {\an1}This 90-kilogram mom may look soft and cuddly, 672 01:05:33,688 --> 01:05:36,518 {\an1}but she's more than capable of fending off any 673 01:05:36,553 --> 01:05:39,866 {\an1}predator that threatens her cub. 674 01:05:56,849 --> 01:06:02,268 {\an1}♪ 675 01:06:02,303 --> 01:06:06,963 {\an1}In the mountain kingdom, four seasons can pass in one day. 676 01:06:09,344 --> 01:06:13,762 {\an1}Snow even falls during summer, 677 01:06:16,144 --> 01:06:18,250 {\an1}and a few hours later, 678 01:06:18,284 --> 01:06:22,495 {\an1}temperatures can spike as much as 15 degrees. 679 01:06:27,466 --> 01:06:32,057 {\an1}The locals always seem to find ways to cope. 680 01:06:33,437 --> 01:06:35,094 {\an1}With her thick coat, 681 01:06:35,129 --> 01:06:38,373 {\an1}the snow leopard is certainly built for the job. 682 01:06:38,408 --> 01:06:43,171 {\an1}But she's not the only hardy feline that makes a living up here. 683 01:06:46,209 --> 01:06:49,246 {\an1}The Eurasian lynx. 684 01:06:53,492 --> 01:06:56,667 {\an1}About two-thirds the weight of her snow leopard cousin, 685 01:06:56,702 --> 01:07:00,671 {\an1}she's a well-designed mountain hunter. 686 01:07:02,742 --> 01:07:06,436 {\an1}The hair on the top of her ears look like antennae 687 01:07:06,470 --> 01:07:09,059 {\an1}but really aid in her hearing, 688 01:07:09,094 --> 01:07:13,063 {\an1}allowing her to tune in to the slightest movement. 689 01:07:16,618 --> 01:07:20,726 {\an1}Exceptional eyesight means she can spot something as small 690 01:07:20,760 --> 01:07:24,695 {\an1}as a mouse from 80 meters away. 691 01:07:28,389 --> 01:07:33,842 {\an1}But probably the hardiest creature up here is not a predator. 692 01:07:35,085 --> 01:07:36,880 {\an1}The yak. 693 01:07:36,914 --> 01:07:39,434 {\an1}Perfectly equipped for mountain life, 694 01:07:39,469 --> 01:07:42,230 {\an1}their lung capacity is about three times that 695 01:07:42,265 --> 01:07:46,062 {\an1}of regular cattle living at lower altitudes. 696 01:07:47,097 --> 01:07:51,032 {\an1}When the yak eat, the fermenting food generates heat. 697 01:07:51,964 --> 01:07:55,519 {\an1}And this, together with their thick fur, keeps them warm. 698 01:07:55,554 --> 01:07:57,970 {\an1}Most of the time. 699 01:07:58,004 --> 01:08:03,113 {\an1}They can still fall victim to the mountain's harsh conditions. 700 01:08:04,873 --> 01:08:11,225 {\an1}And a 350 kilogram carcass out here will not go unnoticed for long. 701 01:08:20,268 --> 01:08:23,927 {\an1}A Tibetan blue bear. 702 01:08:23,961 --> 01:08:27,310 {\an1}A cousin of the grizzly. 703 01:08:31,969 --> 01:08:35,870 {\an1}She catches a whiff of some yak carcasses. 704 01:08:39,253 --> 01:08:42,290 {\an1}But she's not the only one. 705 01:08:42,325 --> 01:08:46,536 {\an1}[howling]. 706 01:08:46,570 --> 01:08:50,160 {\an1}A pack of wolves does too. 707 01:08:54,164 --> 01:09:00,308 {\an1}[howling]. 708 01:09:04,209 --> 01:09:08,178 {\an1}This bear is a mother and with her cubs close by, 709 01:09:08,213 --> 01:09:12,182 {\an1}these Tibetan wolves are a serious threat. 710 01:09:19,569 --> 01:09:23,331 {\an1}She still manages to grab a piece of yak for them. 711 01:09:37,207 --> 01:09:40,452 {\an1}[moaning]. 712 01:09:40,486 --> 01:09:45,319 {\an1}Thankfully, the wolves focus on the rotting meat not the baby bears. 713 01:09:49,323 --> 01:09:52,118 {\an1}This food will not only feed them, 714 01:09:52,153 --> 01:09:57,262 {\an1}but also any of their cubs that may be waiting back at the den. 715 01:09:58,987 --> 01:10:02,750 {\an1}More and more of the pack enter the fray. 716 01:10:08,065 --> 01:10:10,654 {\an1}By rubbing themselves on the carcass, 717 01:10:10,689 --> 01:10:14,071 {\an1}they can bring the scent of food back to the den so 718 01:10:14,106 --> 01:10:18,593 {\an1}the rest of the pack knows where to feed later. 719 01:10:23,529 --> 01:10:28,983 {\an1}[growling]. 720 01:10:29,570 --> 01:10:33,125 {\an1}The wolves take all they need for now. 721 01:10:36,439 --> 01:10:40,788 {\an1}While the cleanup crew waits patiently for the scraps. 722 01:10:50,729 --> 01:10:55,043 {\an1}The Eurasian lynx also catches herself a meal. 723 01:10:55,078 --> 01:10:57,805 {\an1}A Tibetan gazelle. 724 01:10:57,839 --> 01:11:01,291 {\an1}But it's only half the job. 725 01:11:01,326 --> 01:11:05,261 {\an1}She now has to move the carcass somewhere safe. 726 01:11:10,404 --> 01:11:16,272 {\an1}♪ 727 01:11:17,411 --> 01:11:20,759 {\an1}When the prey is nearly as large as the predator, 728 01:11:20,793 --> 01:11:23,624 {\an1}the challenge is on. 729 01:11:26,316 --> 01:11:31,839 {\an1}Dragging it up an almost vertical cliff has to be a Herculean task. 730 01:11:32,978 --> 01:11:36,395 {\an1}And there's always someone else, hovering. 731 01:11:36,430 --> 01:11:39,640 {\an1}Waiting for the opportunity of a free meal. 732 01:11:45,853 --> 01:11:47,751 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: From above, the ever-present, 733 01:11:47,786 --> 01:11:51,479 {\an1}airborne scavengers detect the lynx's kill. 734 01:11:54,482 --> 01:12:00,695 {\an1}Soaring on the updrafts created by steep cliffs, Lammergeyers. 735 01:12:00,730 --> 01:12:05,838 {\an1}With a wingspan of nearly three meters long and eyesight so strong, 736 01:12:05,873 --> 01:12:08,945 {\an1}they can see a dead body from seven kilometers away. 737 01:12:08,979 --> 01:12:13,018 {\an1}They can be on it in minutes. 738 01:12:13,052 --> 01:12:16,504 {\an1}And the lynx knows it. 739 01:12:19,507 --> 01:12:24,650 {\an1}She drags the carcass somewhere secure, she thinks. 740 01:12:31,899 --> 01:12:34,557 {\an1}But then? 741 01:12:34,591 --> 01:12:37,525 {\an1}Disaster. 742 01:12:45,775 --> 01:12:49,710 {\an1}The cat watches her hard-earned dinner tumble 743 01:12:49,744 --> 01:12:53,783 {\an1}30 meters down the steep mountain slope. 744 01:13:15,943 --> 01:13:21,189 {\an1}She has no other option, but to try again. 745 01:13:24,365 --> 01:13:29,991 {\an1}And as fast as possible before those dreaded scavengers take it. 746 01:13:39,898 --> 01:13:44,247 {\an1}She hauls the carcass back up for a second time. 747 01:13:46,870 --> 01:13:51,565 {\an1}It takes every last ounce of her energy. 748 01:13:54,015 --> 01:13:57,260 {\an1}But she does it. 749 01:14:01,782 --> 01:14:06,165 {\an1}And this time she feasts. 750 01:14:16,452 --> 01:14:21,353 {\an1}The mother snow leopard and her cub also score a meal. 751 01:14:30,811 --> 01:14:35,125 {\an1}This queen of the mountains has successfully kept her cub 752 01:14:35,160 --> 01:14:39,475 {\an1}alive in an extreme habitat. 753 01:14:42,788 --> 01:14:45,791 {\an1}In the next few months, he will be ready to go it 754 01:14:45,826 --> 01:14:49,968 {\an1}alone in this hidden mountain kingdom. 755 01:15:04,154 --> 01:15:08,987 {\an1}On China's high plains, things still look bleak for 756 01:15:09,021 --> 01:15:12,715 {\an1}our Tibetan fox family. 757 01:15:12,749 --> 01:15:16,063 {\an1}The younger sister is getting weaker and 758 01:15:16,097 --> 01:15:19,687 {\an1}may not survive to see winter. 759 01:15:19,722 --> 01:15:24,830 {\an1}The short window of summer on these grasslands gives life 760 01:15:24,865 --> 01:15:28,351 {\an1}but it also takes it. 761 01:15:34,495 --> 01:15:38,879 {\an1}Father fox is running on empty. 762 01:15:38,913 --> 01:15:41,847 {\an1}But something quite dramatic is about to happen 763 01:15:41,882 --> 01:15:45,195 {\an1}that may just change the fox family's fate. 764 01:15:45,679 --> 01:15:48,509 {\an1}[bleating]. 765 01:15:48,544 --> 01:15:52,927 {\an1}Temporary visitors arrive on these high, rich pastures. 766 01:15:53,687 --> 01:16:00,452 {\an1}[bleating]. 767 01:16:01,384 --> 01:16:06,423 {\an1}Tibetan herders bring their livestock here 768 01:16:06,458 --> 01:16:09,254 {\an1}to fatten up on the endless grass, 769 01:16:13,327 --> 01:16:17,296 {\an1}like their ancestors have done for thousands of years. 770 01:16:23,544 --> 01:16:28,825 {\an1}The grassland transforms and the fox cubs face a completely different world. 771 01:16:29,274 --> 01:16:33,589 {\an1}[bleating]. 772 01:16:38,766 --> 01:16:44,013 {\an1}Their home is now swamped in sheep and yak. 773 01:16:47,430 --> 01:16:50,226 {\an1}[bleating]. 774 01:16:50,260 --> 01:16:54,161 {\an1}And they're cramping dad's style. 775 01:16:59,131 --> 01:17:02,272 {\an1}They could make potential prey 776 01:17:02,307 --> 01:17:06,449 {\an1}but they're a little out of his league. 777 01:17:07,899 --> 01:17:10,936 {\an1}Now, every time he hunts, these strange, 778 01:17:10,971 --> 01:17:14,388 {\an1}woolly creatures blow his cover. 779 01:17:15,976 --> 01:17:20,221 {\an1}[bleating]. 780 01:17:28,540 --> 01:17:33,234 {\an1}And the massive yak are just big bullies. 781 01:17:35,236 --> 01:17:38,895 {\an1}But this cunning fox has a plan. 782 01:17:44,176 --> 01:17:47,697 {\an1}MICHELLE [off-screen]: Father fox is patient. 783 01:17:47,732 --> 01:17:50,493 {\an1}He's figured out if he just waits, 784 01:17:50,527 --> 01:17:53,703 {\an1}the sheep will get used to him. 785 01:17:57,707 --> 01:18:00,710 {\an1}And then he can use them to his advantage. 786 01:18:00,745 --> 01:18:04,127 {\an1}Kind of like a mobile hunting blind. 787 01:18:08,580 --> 01:18:12,929 {\an1}The pikas grow complacent and are now missing the danger signs. 788 01:18:20,074 --> 01:18:24,389 {\an1}[bleating]. 789 01:18:29,152 --> 01:18:34,433 {\an1}Tibetan foxes are intelligent and adaptable 790 01:18:34,468 --> 01:18:36,781 {\an1}and that makes them, hands down, 791 01:18:36,815 --> 01:18:41,233 {\an1}the most successful hunters on China's grasslands. 792 01:18:53,073 --> 01:18:57,629 {\an1}In fact, the father fox is becoming too successful. 793 01:18:57,663 --> 01:19:01,875 {\an1}So many pikas but only one mouth. 794 01:19:05,223 --> 01:19:10,262 {\an1}At last, there's more than enough food for all four cubs. 795 01:19:10,297 --> 01:19:13,749 {\an1}Even for the smallest of the litter. 796 01:19:24,276 --> 01:19:28,625 {\an1}Dad catches so many pikas, he and his cubs can bury the 797 01:19:28,660 --> 01:19:32,215 {\an1}leftovers in their underground pantries. 798 01:19:33,320 --> 01:19:36,219 {\an1}It keeps the meat cool and preserved, 799 01:19:36,254 --> 01:19:40,430 {\an1}a crucial supply of food as summer ends. 800 01:19:43,882 --> 01:19:47,368 {\an1}As the days close in and the temperature drops, 801 01:19:47,403 --> 01:19:51,096 {\an1}China's grasslands shut down. 802 01:19:53,409 --> 01:19:57,931 {\an1}Residents retreat to the shelter of their burrows. 803 01:20:01,210 --> 01:20:05,041 {\an1}Visitors move out to warmer climes. 804 01:20:12,600 --> 01:20:18,330 {\an1}The Tibetan foxes grow thick fur coats in preparation for winter. 805 01:20:22,024 --> 01:20:26,442 {\an1}Dad's dedication to his family means that miraculously 806 01:20:26,476 --> 01:20:30,480 {\an1}all of his cubs make it through. 807 01:20:31,516 --> 01:20:35,520 {\an1}Four more months and they will be on their own. 808 01:20:38,868 --> 01:20:44,563 {\an1}But for now, the grasslands vanish beneath the snow. 809 01:20:46,496 --> 01:20:50,466 {\an1}And as the winter temperatures in the high mountain forests 810 01:20:50,500 --> 01:20:54,850 {\an1}barely stay above freezing, the baby snub-nosed monkey 811 01:20:54,884 --> 01:20:58,508 {\an1}seeks comfort and warmth with her mother. 812 01:21:01,718 --> 01:21:05,895 {\an1}She's now nine months old. 813 01:21:07,103 --> 01:21:10,900 {\an1}These monkeys tolerate the coldest average temperatures 814 01:21:10,935 --> 01:21:15,111 {\an1}of any non-human primate on the planet. 815 01:21:17,838 --> 01:21:21,842 {\an1}And there's no escape from it. 816 01:21:22,670 --> 01:21:27,641 {\an1}Fortunately, their dense golden coats are designed for the cold. 817 01:21:27,675 --> 01:21:31,507 {\an1}It even thickens up for the winter months, 818 01:21:32,404 --> 01:21:36,063 {\an1}and covers their hands and feet. 819 01:21:38,824 --> 01:21:43,622 {\an1}And here's where those odd, snub noses come into play, 820 01:21:43,657 --> 01:21:47,626 {\an1}they're simply less exposed to frost bite. 821 01:21:48,904 --> 01:21:54,461 {\an1}These monkeys also have the most extraordinary adaptation for the winter. 822 01:22:06,818 --> 01:22:10,960 {\an1}Golden snub-nosed monkeys are the only monkeys in the world 823 01:22:10,995 --> 01:22:16,345 {\an1}known to walk upright on two legs in snow. 824 01:22:20,211 --> 01:22:23,939 {\an1}It keeps their hands off the cold ground. 825 01:22:29,254 --> 01:22:32,878 {\an1}And helps them travel faster, 826 01:22:32,913 --> 01:22:37,676 {\an1}reducing the time they spend in contact with the icy snow. 827 01:22:41,887 --> 01:22:45,132 {\an1}Our new baby reaches another milestone, 828 01:22:45,167 --> 01:22:49,550 {\an1}as she gets the hang of this new skill. 829 01:22:56,799 --> 01:23:02,218 {\an1}These monkeys could also be the source of an ancient Chinese legend. 830 01:23:07,292 --> 01:23:12,297 {\an1}These forests are said to be home to mysterious, wild men. 831 01:23:15,093 --> 01:23:19,063 {\an1}Ape-like figures with red hair, 832 01:23:19,097 --> 01:23:24,137 {\an1}who walk upright through the trees. 833 01:23:25,724 --> 01:23:30,005 {\an1}Sounds suspiciously like the golden snub-nosed monkey. 834 01:23:34,250 --> 01:23:38,013 {\an1}Or not. 835 01:23:42,293 --> 01:23:45,848 {\an1}After months pass and winter finally breaks 836 01:23:45,882 --> 01:23:50,059 {\an1}in the high mountain forests, the snow melts. 837 01:23:50,094 --> 01:23:53,166 {\an1}And these high life primates can start eating 838 01:23:53,200 --> 01:23:56,445 {\an1}their favorite food again. 839 01:23:59,551 --> 01:24:04,246 {\an1}They'll soon get back the body weight they lost. 840 01:24:22,712 --> 01:24:28,339 {\an1}The baby is now a year old, 841 01:24:29,374 --> 01:24:34,241 {\an1}but she still returns to her mother for milk and comfort. 842 01:24:39,591 --> 01:24:42,387 {\an1}She won't be fully weaned for another year, 843 01:24:42,422 --> 01:24:46,219 {\an1}when her mom gives birth again. 844 01:24:47,254 --> 01:24:52,190 {\an1}But they'll stay close in the family for years to come. 845 01:24:55,504 --> 01:24:59,577 {\an1}She also has a new little cousin. 846 01:25:00,233 --> 01:25:06,135 {\an1}No longer the baby, she now has someone she can teach and care for. 847 01:25:15,351 --> 01:25:20,529 {\an1}There's always time to monkey around in China's hidden forest kingdom. 848 01:25:23,014 --> 01:25:25,741 {\an1}As for the bamboo kingdom... 849 01:25:28,744 --> 01:25:31,747 {\an1}although not as nimble as a monkey, 850 01:25:31,781 --> 01:25:36,648 {\an1}the panda cub still needs to learn how to climb a tree. 851 01:25:38,788 --> 01:25:44,104 {\an1}Choosing the right one is half the battle. 852 01:25:45,485 --> 01:25:49,282 {\an1}One that will suit his size and weight. 853 01:25:54,597 --> 01:25:58,739 {\an1}He's going to have to learn the hard way. 854 01:26:01,949 --> 01:26:05,194 {\an1}[cracking, crashing]. 855 01:26:10,648 --> 01:26:15,446 {\an1}First, he needs to find the right tree for him. 856 01:26:16,240 --> 01:26:20,175 {\an1}And then get a good grip.