Darwin's Amazing Animals - Season 1 / Year 2017

The 15-meter long Bryde's whale lives in the waters off Thailand in Southeast Asia. What's interesting about this mammal is that it can do magic! First, it surfaces and opens its giant mouth. Then, just like magic, small fish start jumping in. Finally, the whale closes its mouth and swallows them whole. Why do the fish leap into the whale's mouth? For the first time ever, a team of researchers attempts to crack the mystery. Using a life-size model as well as a small video camera attached to the whale, the team conducts an in-depth study to reveal a surprising hunting secret.

This episode features the indri, a type of lemur living in the jungles of Madagascar, Africa. Indris spend their days leaping through the canopy like acrobats. However, there are strict rules in the indri family. The mother is the dominant figure. So during meals, she and her young eat first, and the father is always the last one to have access to food. If he tries to eat without permission, he gets scolded. Even at night, the father sleeps away from his family and safety. Why does the father always get the short end of the stick? This episode reveals it all.

The North Pacific giant octopus is the world's largest octopus. It's almost as big as a car, with an arm span exceeding 4 meters. North Pacific giant octopus hug massive crab, such as snow crabs, to paralyze them instantly. Then they use their suckers to crush their prey to pieces before enjoying the feast. The octopus's large body also plays a crucial role in raising young. Mothers lay eggs, then fast for 10 months to cover and protect their offspring from predators. Once the eggs hatch, the mothers die. It's a moving story of sacrifice.

The Great gray owl is one of the world's largest owls, measuring 80cm long. During winter, these birds display incredible hunting skills in the snowy fields of central Canada. From the sky, they can detect rodents hidden under deep snow and catch them in one swoop. Their secret lies in their face, the largest among owl species. It serves as a parabolic antenna to catch the slightest sounds of rodents and accurately determine their location. The camera crew also spotted fluffy chicks in the forest during springtime. This episode highlights the giant owl's surprising hunting techniques and parenting methods.

The forests of Borneo hold one of the world's most famous frog paradises. Among the incredible variety, some secrete a sticky mucus while others can fly. One particular species, found near mountain streams, is the Black-spotted rock frog. From water surface jumping to foot-flagging techniques, this frog displays amazing skills and behavior. With insights from a research team from Kyoto University, this episode takes a close look at the life of this adorable amphibian ninja.

The vividly colorful Japanese tiger beetle can be found in and around mountainside villages across Japan. Only a few centimeters in length, they sprint at high speed and catch prey such as ants using their massive jaws. With their dynamic hunting displays, they are literally "tiny terrors". Their larvae are no less fearful. From tiny holes in the ground they ambush passing insects, instantly pulling them in. Watch and be amazed at the hunting scenes of both adult and young.

The Negev Desert in Israel is one of the world's most extreme arid lands. Surprisingly, wolves live here. They're called Arabian wolves and their global population is estimated at a mere 700. For the first time ever, a crew was able to film them for an extended period. Some of the scenes captured include parents raising cubs in their dens and epic battles against their worst enemies. With unique and exceptional footage, viewers will discover the amazing lives of these mysterious wolves.

The Tama River runs through Tokyo. During the years of high economic growth, the river was called "river of death" due to extreme pollution. But as water quality improved, fish returned. One species symbolizing the restoration is the Ayu, also known as "queen of freshwater streams". Their population has rapidly increased, in some years recorded at 10 million. Meanwhile, some locals have been spotting more and more invasive species and are concerned about the effects on the ecosystem.

Tiny, round-eyed Sengis are a rare mammal found in the African savannah. They create complex trails that are exactly like the roads humans build. The trails protect them against predators. If a Monitor lizard approaches, Sengi will take off in a flash. By speeding along the straightaway and making sharp turns, Sengi will quickly outdistance its pursuer and dart through a T-intersection to hide. Sengis also use the trails to raise their young, the most adorable little creatures ever to appear on Darwin's Amazing Animals. This episode takes a look at these fascinating creatures that spend their entire lives on the road.

The Oriental Storks were once extinct in Japan. But thanks to the dedicated efforts of people in Toyooka, Hyogo Prefecture, the birds are making a comeback. Today, a new journey has begun, aimed at expanding their breeding range from Toyooka to other areas of the country. For the first time ever, Oriental Storks raised in captivity have been released in Chiba and Fukui Prefectures. This episode documents the perils this magnificent bird has faced – including snakebites and automobiles – on the road to restoration.