Narwhal exploit the early cracks in the ice, known as ‘leads’, to get to their spring feeding grounds.
No-one knows exactly what the Narwhal’s tusk is for. Some say it’s used for fencing, yet these exchanges are too gentle to be real fights.
Musk Oxen | Arctic Wolf | Frozen Planet
Hungry Arctic Wolves attack the formidable Musk Oxen, who rally round their susceptible calves. The Arctic wolf will go hungry on this occasion.
The cavalry ride to the rescue. The calf, despite first appearances, escapes, and is fine. The whole herd encircles the calf with a protective wall of horns.
Minke Whale Hunt | Killer Whale Pack | Humpback Whale | Frozen Planet
Killer Whales hunting as a pack, run a Minke Whale down despite it’s superior speed and endurance.
Two hours and 20 miles later, the Minke is still alive and swimming strongly, it’s only real defence is it’s endurance. But, the killers work as a team fresh ones replacing the outriders in relays and as the Minke tires, the battering and the biting begins.
Krill | Algae | Crab-Eater Seal | Humpback Whale | Frozen Planet
Krill feeds on Algae but, Krill feeds penguins, seals, fish and humpback whales - a vital part of the food chain.
Almost all the animals of the Antarctic depend on krill, including it’s giants; humpback whales.
King Penguin | Elephant Seal | Frozen Planet
The King Penguin Colony on South Georgia face an unusual antarctic problem. How to stay cool!
King Penguins are active throughout the long summer days so they have to deal with an uncharacteristic polar problem. By midday temperatures can reach a sizzling 17°C. Any effort can lead to overheating. It’s best not to over-exert oneself.
Great Spring Thaw | Release of Frozen Arctic Water | Frozen Planet
The Great Spring Thaw in the Arctic sees an area of ice, the size of Australia, thawing and releasing 10% of the world’s fresh water.
As the huge ice sheet breaks up, wildlife returns to the North.
Great Grey Owl | Forest Phantom | Frozen Planet
The Great Grey Owl is a seasonal visitor to the North American forests in spring.
The Great Grey Owl; as it floats noiselessly through the forest canopy, appearing only seasonally, is truly a forest phantom.
Greenland Glaciers | Melt Water Lakes | Frozen Planet
Greenland is the largest island on Earth and, for the most part, is not green.
Sapphire blue melt water lakes are the first sign that a dynamic process is under way. Each lake forms in a matter of days expanding until it is miles across and starts to overflow, the spill water then carves its way through ice to the sea.
Gentoo Penguin | Southern Sealion | Frozen Planet
A Southern Sealion has great difficulty trying to catch a Gentoo penguin. A comical look at predator and prey being equally inept.
Every summer over forty million penguins take to the Southern Ocean to feed. They are joined by thousands of whales. Minkes are the most numerous. They all come here to harvest the richest ocean on Earth.
Arctic Wolf | Six Healthy Cubs | Frozen Planet
Life is always difficult in the Arctic, but an Arctic wolf couple can still produce six healthy cubs.
Six hungry mouths to feed. The Arctic wolf cubs are just over a month old. The ducks are devoured instantly, but on the long journey home, they also caught an Arctic hare, a mainstay of the tundra diet, and one the cubs seem to be particularly keen on.
