Animal Homes

Animal homes are necessary to provide security and privacy for nurturing offspring, whether it be birds, beavers, brush turkeys, ants, or spiders. This three-part PBS-aired Nature documentary, hosted by Chris Morgan, examines the world of insects and animals who must also be surveyors, architects, and builders. Birds often build heavy nests, performing intricate weaving techniques, or sculpting them from mud and clay. Beavers actually transform the landscape, creating lodges and dams over waterways (stretching up to hundreds of feet). Evolution dictates the choices, such as a group of ravens who nest in cliff-sides—as they have done for scores of years. Scientists aren't able to explain all animal behavior, as in the case of the wood rat, who likes to finish his nest with nice, shiny objects (like found shotgun shells), earning them the nickname of "pack rats." Some species seek safety in numbers, while other animals maintain strict boundaries. Spiders can build nests holding 10,000 members, serving as both an "information hub" and a place for sharing labor projects, such as building webs and traps for communal feasts. Albatross colonies in Hawaii sometimes suffer from a shortage of males, leading to some same-sex partnerships. Every animal home offers its own challenges and opportunities, whether in a salt marsh or treetop canopy—and success or failure can often be a matter of inches. Packed with interesting information and amazing views, this is highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (S. Rees)