Earth Touch

Boteti: The Returning River | World Water Day

After years of extreme drought, Botswana's Boteti river flows once more. This film documents an extraordinary shift in the ecosystem and the dramatic changes it brings to the resident wildlife.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣⁣ Catch 'Boteti – The Returning River' tonight at 7pm BST on Earth Touch TV https://www.earthtouch.tv

The Queensland Department of Environment & Science (DES) recently released footage showing some 50 tiger sharks feasting on a dead humpback whale off Hervey Bay in the Great Sandy Marine Park. More here: https://ow.ly/9rQb50Peu9R

Beneath the Canopy: The Forests of Thailand

To celebrate #WorldRainforestDay, take a journey with Daryl Sweetland to explore the incredible natural wonders hidden deep within the forests of Thailand. Not only do these increasingly threatened habitats support life on a grade scale, but they’re also the last remaining sanctuaries for some of the rarest and most elusive animals on earth.

Pangolin getting down and dirty

Kick start your World Pangolin Day with this rolpoly character enjoying a frolic in the dirt. Dust-bathing has been documented in a wide variety of mammal and bird species. For pangolins, the dirt likely helps remove parasites that may become trapped between the anteater's overlapping scales. Sometimes called scaly anteaters, pangolins are insect-eating mammals native to Africa and Asia. You might be familiar with ground-dwelling pangolins like the one in the clip, but there are actually eight different species – all of them heavily threatened by poaching. Demand for both for their meat, which is considered a delicacy in some countries, and their scales, which are used in Asian traditional medicine have put these unique animals near the top of the list of the world's most threatened mammals. Thankfully, pangolins have been thrust into the global spotlight in recent years (in part due to their possible, unwitting role in the COVID-19 pandemic), and that has resulted in increased protection for the species. They are not out of the woods yet, but we hope awareness of their plight will help save the species.

Duelling for dung.⁣ ⁣ For dung beetles, poop is everything. It’s a source of food as well as a nursery for their babies. So it’s hardly surprising that possession of this precious commodity can lead to heated disagreements. Not all species of dung beetle form poop balls, but those that do must often defend them from rivals who opt for thievery rather than rolling their own. Fights usually happen on top of the ball and involve trying to throw the opponent off – the winner stands proudly atop the faecal orb before rolling it away to be buried somewhere safe.⁣

New Year’s resolutions:⁣ ⁣ Solid wellness routine ✅ ⁣ More naps ✅⁣ Spend time with the fam ✅⁣

Chameleon tongues are among the fastest in the animal kingdom with the nippiest species capable of firing their sticky insect-catchers at 8,500 feet per second.⁣ 👅⁣⁣⁣ #chameleon #wildlife

Today is #InternationalCheetahDay — a chance to celebrate these big cats and raise awareness about the threats they face. Habitat destruction, human-wildlife conflict and a changing climate have reduced wild cheetah numbers to fewer than 7,000. Time is running out to save the world’s fastest cats and we must act now if we hope to secure their future.

Sealed with a kiss.⁣ ⁣ On South Georgia Island in the Atlantic Ocean, elephant seals have few land predators, which means they can be surprisingly friendly ...⁣

It's hard to imagine that these little, waddling floof barrels will grow up to become apex predators. That is, assuming they survive to adulthood. Lion cubs face incredibly high mortality rates with some estimates suggesting 80% of youngsters are unlikely to make it past the age of two. At this stage of their lives they are very vulnerable to attacks from rival predators, illness or injury. Mom must be both provider and protector for the tiny cubs and their fate rests largely in her paws.⁣

Say it, don't spray it.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Mozambique spitting cobras are armed with specially modified fangs that allow them to eject their venom up to a distance of around two metres - something they'll do readily and with devastating effect when under threat. For this defensive strategy to work, the snakes need to land their cytotoxic venom directly in the eyes of would-be attackers where it will cause searing pain and even long-term damage. They achieve this required level of accuracy by tracking the movement of the threat and making split-second adjustments to direct their venom. Spitting cobras will also wiggle their heads slightly as they eject their venom ensuring that the spray gets a wide dispersal. It only takes a tiny droplet in the cornea to send a regretfully curious predator reeling away in pain.⁣⁣

Boteti – The Returning River

Rivers make up a just tiny fraction of the freshwater on our planet, but they sustain an unbelievable diversity of life. In the often-parched flatlands of Botswana, many animals have learnt to adapt to life without constant flowing waterways. Here, the seasonal dry/wet cycles may play out over decades. In ‘Boteti – The Returning River’, we document the extraordinary transformation that takes place when rain from the Angolan highlands flows into a riverbed that has been dry for 30 years. It's a fascinating look at the power of rivers and their ability to shape entire ecosystems. For the remainder of #WorldRiversDay you can stream the film for FREE! Use the code WRD2022 (limited to the first 20 viewers). Stream the film here: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/video-on-demand/boteti-the-returning-river

What makes great white sharks so speedy?

In order to learn the secrets of the great white shark’s incredible hunting prowess marine biologists Dr Nick Whitney and Geremy Cliff carry out a detailed necropsy on a recently deceased animal. Speed is a vital ingredient in the white shark’s recipe for attack, but just how do these apex predators move so quickly through the water? Watch “Great White Code Red” here: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/video-on-demand/great-white-code-red/

Searching for the coelacanth | Dinofish

Hidden in the depths off the shores of South Africa lives a prehistoric fish assumed extinct until its rediscovery in 1938. A team of specially trained divers take to the murky waters for a chance to glimpse one the world's last remaining coelacanths – a challenge that is not without its risks. Watch “Dinofish” here: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/video-on-demand/dinofish

Lionesses are secretive mothers. Their cubs spend the first few weeks of their lives tucked away in concealed den sites safe from snooping scavengers. On occasion a lioness may need to move her cubs to a new hideout – a task that requires deftly hoisting the tiny cats into the air by the scruffs of their necks and carrying them to the new den. Considering these big cats have enough power in their jaws to crush an antelope's skull in a single bite, watching them carefully scoop up a cub without inflicting any damage is impressive. The cubs play their part too. Whether voluntary or not, cubs seem to go into limp mode when gripped by their necks, curling their legs up and allowing mom to carry them without too much wriggling. While the thought of being carried around in the jaws of a 300-pound lioness may be terrifying, the cubs of these cats are equipped for it: loose skin and fur on their necks as well as fewer nerve endings help make the transportation process a bit more comfortable.⁣

LA's mountain lions on the brink | P22 – The Cat That Change America

Griffith Park – a 4,310-acre green haven at the eastern end of Los Angeles’s Santa Monica Mountains – is flanked on all sides by busy highways and residential homes. The idea of a mountain lion secretly stalking through the popular recreational hangout seemed implausible if not impossible. But Puma 22 or P-22 shifted all expectations. Watch “P22: The Cat That Changed America” here: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/video-on-demand/p22-the-cat-that-changed-america

Hitching a ride.⁣ ⁣ A baby western lowland gorilla clambers on top of its mom for safety and convenient transportation. Although they are the most widespread of all gorilla species, western lowland gorillas still face significant threats and their numbers have declined by more than 60% in the last few decades.⁣

Mamba mating season | Black Mamba – Kiss of Death

Black mambas are secretive snakes and their mating rituals remain something of a mystery. For Mercury – a two-and-a-half-year-old female mamba – the time has come to find a mate. Journey into the treetops as we reveal the secrets of courtship of one of Africa’s most revered species. Stream “Black Mamba – Kiss of Death” here: https://www.earthtouchnews.com/video-on-demand/black-mamba-kiss-of-death

How sensitive are elephant trunks?

We have a lot of reasons to admire elephants. Research indicates that they are highly intelligent animals capable of showing empathy and grief, they can identify languages, use tools, mimic human voices and probably remember a lot more about what happened in the last season of The Handmaid's Tale than you do. They also have highly sensitive trunks. In fact, their elongated noses might be one of the most sensitive body parts in the animal kingdom, according to research published earlier this year. It's just another reason to revere these incredible creatures. #WorldElephantDay

Happy World Snake Day

Open wide.⁣ ⁣⁣⁣ The black mamba is one of Africa's most feared snakes. Myths abound about this reptile's menacing reputation and deadly bite. In truth, black mambas – like most snakes – are timid and prefer to shy away from confrontation. Named for the inky, black colouration on the inside of their mouths – something they'll use as a threat display to deter any would-be attackers – they are remarkably well-adapted to the savannas, rocky hills and open woodlands they call home.⁣ ⁣ This #WorldSnakeDay, take a moment to appreciate these often-maligned animals and the vital role they play in a healthy ecosystem.⁣