Subject: Science: Environment

The Global Family: Evolution and Adaptation Series

This series is global in its scope, covering the U.S., Asia, South America, Central America and Australia, and offers insight as to how a number of fascinating creatures live, evolve, and adapt. Each program explores the interdependence of organisms and their environments, and the interaction of events that favor the evolution of a species; also each portrait reinforces the need - and responsibility - to preserve and protect the riches of nature. Produced by TVO. Programs available on 8 individual DVDs, Digital Streaming Files or Videos; also in an 8-Disc Set. For pricing call in US: 800.876.2447/Intl. 603.434.9262 or e-mail
Also See: Animal Conservation Series; Nature's Treasures: Preserve and Protect Series

List of Titles

America's Red-Cockaded Woodpecker: A Rare Bird

The Longleaf Pine forests of the southeastern United States are home to a species of woodpecker whose unusual choice of nesting trees, co-operative family life, and novel method of predator control, set it apart in the bird world. Over nearly two centuries, loggers eliminated 95% of these pine forests and pushed the Click for more

The Cassowary (Australian Bird)

Among Australia's many strange and wonderful creatures, one particularly striking creature stands out - a refugee from prehistoric times - the Cassowary! Over the millennia, the flight-less Cassowary adapted to the tropical forests of northern Queensland upon which it depends for its survival. Today it is a threatened Click for more

The Fennec: Bat-Eared Fox of the Serengeti

The torrid plains of the Serengeti in Tanzania endure 5 months of drought each year. During this time, many creatures move away to find food, but not the Fennec! This tiny, insect-eating fox stays on the grasslands year round feeding on termites and raising its cubs. Because most of the grazers are gone, the fennec Click for more

The Giant Salamander: A Living Fossil

"Highly Recommended. Salamanders are the world’s largest amphibians and this program provides detailed information about the physiological characteristics they share with other amphibians; it also provides a very rare opportunity of observing them under water in their pristine habitat. The quality of the program Click for more

The Hybrid Hoatzin (South American Bird)

Look carefully in the trees along the banks of the Orinoco River in Venezuela and you may be fortunate enough to spot a strange colorful bird, about the size of a chicken, with large wings and tail fan, blue skin, and a rakish crest of feathers. Further observation reveals this odd bird cannot fly well and its chicks Click for more

The Opossum: A Prehistoric Survivor

"Highly Recommended. This program offers a journey through a tropical rainforest to show opossums' natural habitat; it includes detailed descriptions of the life history and reproductive behavior of the opossum, focusing on a mother opossum who is nursing her infants. Viewers are offered the rare opportunity to Click for more

The Pinafore Blenny: A Fish Out of Water

Look closely on the rocky shorelines of southern Japan, Taiwan and Indonesia and you will likely find a small, rather comical looking fish that has chosen to flee the sea. This curious "fish-out-of-water," called the Pinafore Blenny, stays within jumping distance of the water's edge to both feed and nest. This program Click for more

The Wisdom of the Capuchin (Monkey)

Deep in the forests of Costa Rica there is a small monkey that survives because it has learned how to find food in drought or downpour all year 'round. The white-throated Capuchin, the little monkey used by the old-time organ grinders, has developed the ability to use simple tools to find nuts, tell if fruit is ripe Click for more