04x04 - Why?

[bunniefuu]

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Why are there no bears
in africa?

You thinking
what I'm thinking?

Oh, yeah.

[Martin]
on this episode,

We're chasing down
the answers

To some unanswerable
questions.

The big question is--

Do creatures enjoy playing
like we do?

[Martin]
that's another good question.

[Chris]
we'll do anything
to find out the answer.

[Martin]
we're dropping everything
in our quest to answer

Some amazingly tricky queries
about the animal world.

[Chris]
we're going to wrestle with
the big creature quandaries,

Like why do animals fight?

[Martin]
why do animals
live in groups?

[Chris]
why are baby animals so cute?

[Martin]
and why do baby animals play?

[Chris]
it's all coming up
on kratts' creatures!

Iarriba!

Iandale, andale!

[Computer keys clicking]

Totally unreal!

Check out this question.

How do creatures know
when a storm is coming?

Electrical
charges,

Barometric
pressure--

It's hard
to say.

Look at this one--

Why is the lion the only cat
who lives in a group?

Their hunting style,
for one thing.

What we've found
is a kind of creature net,

A computer bulletin board

Where kids
from around the world

Are asking
creature questions.

It's totally cool.

[Chris]
here's another one.

A kid in new york is asking,

"Why aren't there
any bears in africa?"

[Martin]
that's a great question.

There are bears
all over the globe

But not in africa.

And I've always
wondered, why not?

You havealways
wondered that.

Come here.

Get a load of this!

Hey, that's
my first journal.

Since when
are you reading
my journals?

Since I was 5.

Check out
this first page.

[Martin and allison]
"why are there no bears
in africa?"

That was
my first question
about creatures.

And you know,
it still bugs me,

Just like it bugs
that kid in new york.

You thinking
what I'm thinking?

Oh, yeah.

We need a printout
of those questions.

Righto!

O.k., Question 1--
why do animals live in groups?

When you're a creature
in the wilderness,

You have to be on
the constant lookout for danger.

It's kind of like
in-line skating
around town.

When you're
in-lining,

You have to
look out for holes,

Obstacles, and turns
in the road.

You have
to be listening

For vehicles up ahead
and from behind.

[Dog barks]

Cool dog.
What kind was it?

Look out!

That's one of
the best reasons

For creatures
living together--

Teamwork.

You got that right, guys,

And one of the best
examples of teamwork...

Check out impala.

These antelopes live
in large groups,

Chowing down on the grasses
of the african savanna.

The thing is,

These gentle grass-eaters
aren't alone out there.

They live next door
to toothy predators

Like the lion, the leopard,
and the cheetah.

What do you do

When your neighbors
keep dropping by

To make an impala sandwich?

You defend yourself.

What's the impala's
best defense?

Teamwork.

They all keep their eyes
and ears open,

Always on the lookout

For the approach
of a hungry neighbor.

Members of the herd
will communicate

If danger's coming close.

Then it's time to leap
out of there, pronto!

So you see,

Living in a group
has many benefits--

In this case,

The benefit of avoiding
hungry predators

As much as possible.

Living with a group
is like living

With a bunch
of pals.

Pals who are always
listening, watching,

And sniffing for danger.

The more eyes and ears
on the lookout, the better!

Look at it
this way.

If you're
a wildebeest

Alone on
the savanna,

You're vulnerable
if a pride of lions comes by.

They have no one
to choose from but you.

[Allison]
talk about vulnerable--
I got to interrupt here.

Did anyone notice this,
or was it just me?

All this talk about protection,
and what have we got?

Two brothers,
two pairs of in-line skates,

Two sets of knee
and elbow pads,

But no helmets!

Point taken, al.

I mean, some creatures,
like bighorn sheep,

Can bang heads
without injury.

They have thick, tough skulls--
unlike us humans.

[Chris]
so, unless you protect your head
when you're in-lining,

You'll be in more trouble
than a wildebeest

Alone on the savanna.

[Martin]
we know groups work
for the hunted,

But it also works
for the hunters.

These animals
work together,

Using hunting
strategies.

That increases
their odds
of a takedown.

After all,

Two predators
are better than one.

Ice cream?

Let's get him.

[Martin]
for group-hunting specialists,

Check out african wild dogs.

[Chris]
they're really successful
group-hunting specialists.

The success ratio
of some packs is 85%.

[Martin]
that's way above solitary
hunters like leopards.

[Chris]
as far as antelope
are concerned,

Once a pack of wild dogs
has spotted them,

It could mean
the beginning of the end.

There he is!

[Martin]
antelope can sprint faster
than wild dogs...

[Chris]
like the ice-cream guy can
bike faster than we skate...

[Martin]
but wild dogs have
endurance and strategy.

[Chris]
a wild dog's quarry
often runs in circles,

Just like the ice-cream guy
is doing...

[Martin]
so we're using the wild dog's
strategy and splitting up.

As chris continues
the chase,

I'm cutting
across the curve,

Narrowing the gap,
giving me the chance to...

Surprise!

You got
any rocket pops?

So we learned two things--

Team hunting works great,

But don't forget
your helmet at home.

Hunting in a pack
isgreat,

But there's another reason
to live in a group--

Family!

Some creatures have
really tight families,

Like meerkats.

They teach each other...

Play with each other...

And protect
each other.

They really know
how to take care
of each other.

[Martin]
and the more creatures

Nurturing young ones,
the better!

[Chris]
certainly true for the meerkat.

These guys live in groups
of up to 30 members.

[Martin]
the group not only helps
mom raise her young...

[Chris]
they'll put their lives
on the line

To protect them.

[Martin]
when startled by predators,

Meerkats have been known
to cover the young

With their own bodies!

[Chris]
that's amazing!

[Allison]
and take wild dogs.

They may seem fierce
when it comes to hunting,

But when you see them
with their pups,

You see a whole
other side to them.

One female in the pack
has pups,

But she has too many
to care for,

So pack members
help raise them,

Which means that they're
not only a great hunting team--

They're also
a great family team.

[Martin]
and talk about
community living--

Baboons live in troops
of up to 200!

That's a lot of baboons.

[Chris]
like wild dogs and meerkats,

They all pitch in to protect
and care for the young.

Baboon moms provide
a lot of care for their babies,

But they can often count on
the help of a friendly male

Who'll act as godfather,

Protecting her baby
as if his own.

[Martin]
a baboon mom will
protect her young, too,

But out here
on the african savanna,

You need all the help
you can get.

[Allison]
how about elephants?

These savanna giants live
in herds of up to 22.

An elephant mom
can rely on a lot of help

From other females.

They'll even suckle, or feed,
each other's young.

If a pride of lions
try to att*ck a baby,

They'll have to answer
not just to mom,

But to the whole herd.

Now that we know why
some animals live in groups,

Let's move on
to the next question.

Question 2--why do
some creatures live alone?

There must be tons of creatures
that live alone--

Like the tiger, the koala...

The leopard tortoise...

The tapir...

The ctenosaur...

The sloth...

The leopard...

The hercules beetle...

The scorpion...

The giant anteater...

The wolverine...

The tasmanian devil...

The arctic fox...

And let's not forget the...

Cougar.

This guy is
a perfect example

Of why creatures
go solo.

Just looking at him,

You can tell that this cat
is capable of defending himself.

[Snarls]

And being alone
suits his hunting style.

He uses stealth
and the element of surprise.

Plus, a solitary
lifestyle means

He only has
one mouth to feed--

A real advantage
when food is scarce.

And he's flexible,

Able to move around
wherever and whenever he wants.

In the creature world,
flexibility is a big bonus...

For both predators
and prey.

Whoa!

[Allison]
why are baby animals so cute?

Scientists give
a simple reason

For why baby animals
like this are so cute--

It helps their survival

And the survival
of their species.

The theory is
that baby animals

Bring out natural
parenting instincts.

They're so cute,

Parents can't help
but want to protect

And care for babies
like these.

[Martin]
in the case of baboons,

The babies are so cute

That almost everyone
in the troop

Wants to be with them...

[Chris]
which means that mothers
of baby baboons deal with

A lot of interference.

[Martin]
most baboons are
really attracted

To babies 5 months
and younger,

When they're covered
with black fur.

[Chris]
higher-ranking females
will even go so far

As to pluck a baby
from his mother's arms...

[Martin]
or even kidnap him.

[Chris]
that's when a baby's
godfather will come in.

Hearing the baby's cries,
the godfather will rescue him.

[Martin]
if a male is hanging out
with a mom and her baby,

That's enough to keep
other baboons away.

[Chris]
so all this seems to be proof

That cuteness brings out
strong maternal instincts.

[Martin]
in other words...

Yeah, babies are cute.

Hey, check out this guy.

Talk about a cute kid!
That's me, of course.

You want to see cute?

Thisis cute.
It's me!

Don't worry, martin.

Some of us got it,
and some of us don't.

Some believe
we find baby creatures

Like this puppy so cute

Because of his big eyes,
small snout, and big feet.

Babies are so much rounder
and softer,

Which is appealing
to the human eye.

There's no question that
in the eyes of any human,

These baby animals
are adorable--

Not just because
of the way they look,

With their soft fur
and bright eyes,

But by the way they act.

They seem so helpless

And so curious about
the world around them.

[Chris]
check out these baby creatures.

These guys are
so vulnerable--

And that's partly why
their parents

Want to protect them.

The fact is,
a baby creature's vulnerability

Has everything to do with
why we find them so adorable.

[Martin]
maybe another reason we find
these baby creatures so cute

Is that we're used to seeing
them as fully grown adults.

It's funny to see them
while they're just starting out

As young critters
who are helpless

And who still have
so much to learn.

[Allison]
it's so cute to watch
these babies learn

And master all the skills
they'll use as adult creatures.

[Chris]
one way baby creatures learn
is through play.

[Allison]
hey, wait a minute!

That's the next question
on the creature net.

Why do animals play?

Because playing is serious
for creature survival.

[Chris]
playing is all about
building muscles

And motor skills.

[Martin]
it's also about rehearsing
and sharpening those skills

They're going to need
as adults.

[Chris]
these cheetah cubs
need to master hunting skills

Like stalking,
running down the prey,

And going in
for the k*ll.

[Martin]
play is a great way
to do that.

[Allison]
there's no question
that creatures use play

To sharpen their skills,

But the big question is--

Do creatures enjoy playing
like we do?

Why not?

So many people
think playing
is just for humans.

Look at dolphins playing,
or monkeys or foxes.

How about a dog
catching a frisbee?

He has fun,
doesn't he?

She's ready.

[Chris]
otters are incredibly clever,
playful creatures.

[Martin]
if you want to know
if creatures enjoy playing,

Check out this otter.

See? Having fun isn't
just for humans.

[Chris]
and playing is more
than just fun.

Scientists have discovered

That playing not only
stimulates the brain,

It actually helps it to grow.

That's why creatures play most
when they're young.

[Martin]
so if play helps
your brain to grow,

You can look at it
this way--

If your brain is a plant,

Play is the water
that feeds it.

And then there's
the flip side--

Why do animals fight?

[Martin]
well, one of the big surprises
about the creature world

Is that a real fight
is very rare.

[Chris]
creatures have developed
a lot of strategies

To avoid a fight.

One of the best strategies
is setting up territory.

Territory keeps creatures

Out of each other's hair,
feathers, and scales.

It gives
competing creatures

A simple message--

That's your turf,

This is my turf,
so stay put.

You got to be
kidding me.

[Martin]
setting up a territory

Is a great way for creatures
to avoid a scrap.

[Chris]
why do animals go
to so much effort

Just to avoid
a real fight?

[Martin]
because real fights
mean real injuries.

[Chris]
real injuries mean
that creatures can't do

What they need to do
to survive--

Run, dive, hop, soar.

[Martin]
so avoiding a fight

Is actually critical
to creature survival.

[Chris]
that's why creatures do more
than setting up territories.

They use strategies
like thr*at displays,

Half-fighting,
and ritualized fighting

To avoid a real scrap.

O.k., So to demonstrate
thr*at displays,

Half-fighting,
and ritualized fighting,

Chris and I are stepping
into the ring!

[Allison]
in this corner,

We have the tremendous,
the titanic,

The totally terrifying
tower of terror--

The tasmanian tiger!

In this corner, straight
from sun-scorched africa,

We have the sultan of swift,

The screaming scourge
of the savanna--

The stinging scorpion!

[Cheering]

[Hisses]

Before we get carried away,

We have to remember
that no creature

Really likes to fight.

Even when creatures look like
they're ready to rumble,

They'll try all sorts of things
to avoid fighting.

Aah!

The first thing creatures do
to avoid a fight

Is to give a thr*at display.

That's because
a creature's weapons

Take a lot of energy to use.

It's much better to display them
as a way of saying...

[Chris]
I got claws, I got teeth,
I got the moves.

You sure you want
to rumble with me?

Aah!

[Roars]

[Allison]
different creatures
give different displays.

But the thing is,
someone backs down...usually.

If the conflict is too great
and nobody backs down,

Things might escalate
into half-fighting.

Half-fighting is like
a dress rehearsal.

It doesn't really hurt,
and it's just a warning,

A way of saying
I could really hurt you,

But I won't--
not unless I have to.

But sometimes,
even with all the safety valves,

A fight does happen.

In other words,

It's taking-care-of-business
time, rumble city,

Or so it seems.

These aren't real fights.
These pseudo-scraps

Are what's called
ritualized fighting.

That means
what the animals are doing

Is testing
the other guy's strength,

Which is totally different
from what we saw before

With thr*at displays
and half-fighting.

That was about warning
the other guy you're strong.

Ritualized fighting is
all about provingyou're strong.

This'll go on for a while,

Until the weaker animal
backs down and gives up.

That means
the fight is over.

Um, guys?

The ritualized fight
is over, remember?

Guys, what are you doing?

One thing's for sure--

The guys definitely
aren't fighting.

They're just horsing around.

Nobody's getting hurt,

And that actually makes
a lot of sense, because...

In the creature world,

A fight like this isn't
as bad as it could be.

When bighorn sheep
butt heads,

They're really just testing
each other's strength.

If they really wanted
to fight each other,

They'd use their horns,
but they don't.

What's the worst that can happen
after a little head-butting?

A headache.

O.k., Now the guys
are getting serious.

They're trying
the bighorn head-butt.

Bighorn sheep fight
over breeding rights.

First, they size
the other guy up,

Circling, getting ready.

Then, they rear up,
getting ready to move in.

Then, they charge...

And whammo!

You guys are so--
hey, wait!

A kid from brazil is
asking the bear question--

"We have spectacled bears
in south america.

Why aren't they in africa?"

Why aren't there bears
in africa?

I mean,
africa's a continent

That's positively jam-packed
with creatures like--

Hippos...

Rhinos...

Leopards...

Cheetahs...

Zebras...

Giraffes...

Elephants...

Wild dogs...

Ostrich...

Lions...

Wildebeest...

And meerkats.

And check out the terrain.

A lot of this looks like
potential bear habitat.

So why are there
no bears in africa?

Wait a minute...

I think I've
figured it out!

When you think of bears,

You think of cold,
mountains, forests...

That's why they're not
in africa--it's too hot!

[Buzzing]

I got to check the computer
on this one.

It says here that the most
species of bears can be found

In one of the hottest places
on earth--india!

I guess some bears
don't mind the heat.

[Chris]
you got that right.

The sun bear lives
in southeast asia,

Where the heat
can be blistering.

[Martin]
different story
for the polar bear.

He lives in the arctic,
where it's anything but hot.

[Chris]
that's the thing--

All sorts of bear species
are living

In all sorts of climates,

From cold
to temperate to hot.

[Martin]
if we want the answer
to this question,

We have to look at something
other than climate...

Because the answer
to our question

Could be found in
the ancestor to a creature

We all know very well.

You see,
over 25 million years ago,

There existed a creature

From which both bears
and dogs descended.

The bear-dog!

And guess
what he looked like.

Some of them looked like
short-legged bears

With flat feet
and a doglike face.

These bear-dogs lived
all over north america,

Africa, and parts
of europe and asia.

But, over time,
they evolved into--

What else?
Bears and dogs.

[Martin]
and these are their descendants.

There's the dog family,
or order canidae.

We're talking dingoes...

[Chris]
the domestic dog,
wolves, and foxes.

[Martin]
then there are members
of the procyonidaefamily,

Like raccoons...

Kinkajous...

Coatis, and red pandas.

Both these families evolved
from the early bear-dogs.

That must have happened
in north america and europe.

But in africa,
what if bear-dogs evolved

Into only dogs

And not bears?

[Chris]
maybe...

Or maybe not.

That's a great theory,
martin,

But I have a theory
of my own.

My theory takes us
back in time.

Here's how I figure--

Cave bears probably came
on the scene

About 50,000 years ago.

They were found
all over europe,

And there's no doubt
that our ancestors

Had run-ins with them.

The funny thing is that
the cave bear was a herbivore,

So he posed
no thr*at to humans,

But he was big,

So when the cave men
heard him coming...

They ran, or they tried
to k*ll the cave bear.

I wonder if that's how
they went extinct.

Well, maybe.

Sure, the cave man
hunted them,

But probably not
into extinction.

What made them extinct
was something else--

The ice age.

[Chris]
humans reacted to the ice age

By moving to--where else?--
Warmer places.

So did many mammals.

[Martin]
but some scientists think
cave bears didn't.

They stuck around,
moved into caves,

And tried
to make a life there,

But the strain of being stuck
in the iced-over north

Took its toll,
and slowly the species d*ed out.

[Chris]
his cousins in other parts
of the world made it through.

They flourished
in south america,

North america, asia--
even as far east as japan.

[Martin]
so why didn't the bear
make it to africa?

Hey! I think I just found
a missing piece to the puzzle.

What?what did you find?

In south west africa,

Scientists have just discovered
the fossils of a bear!

So there werebears in africa.

O.k., Hold on.

It says here that the fossils
are five million years old.

Which is impossible!

O.k., Nothing's impossible
in the creature world,

So at some point
there were bears in africa.

Where did they
come from? Asia?

Where did they go?

Martin's got a theory
on that one.

It's called
superomnivoric competition.

It goes like this--

O.k., If there were
bears in africa,

There's no way
they could have made it.

There's just
too much competition.

You see,
bears are omnivores,

Which means they eat
meat, fruit,

Nuts, and vegetation, right?

But in africa, a bear
would have to deal

With major competition
for meat

From the superpredators.

We're talking lions...

Wild dogs...

Leopards...

Hyenas...

And cheetahs.

All of these predators are
on top of the game in africa.

For the bear, they could
make for unbeatable competitors.

I mean, competition
amongst the superpredators

Is hard enough.

I just don't think a bear
could cut it against these guys.

And then for vegetation,

The bear would have to compete
with the superherbivores--

Giraffes, wildebeest,
rhinos, zebra,

Hippos, and elephants.

Again, we're talking
serious competition.

So to sum it up,

Between competition for meat
and vegetation,

I don't think
a generalist like the bear

Would stand a chance.

So you think that explains
the bear fossils in africa?

That's a great theory.

Yeah, but theories
are one thing.

Now we've got
to prove it.

O.k., We've got
our food, our tent...

Do you have the map?

Yep. How about
archaeological tools?

Oh, yeah.

I got the brushes,
the pick, and the frisbee.

All right!

We're heading back!

[Allison]
back where?

To africa--
where else?

To south west africa,
to be exact.

We have some serious
fossil digging to do.

[Allison]
today, we tried to answer
some tough questions.

It was hard, but man!
Did we find some cool answers,

Stuff few people probably
ever thought of before.

Something
we did learn, though,

Is that one of
the strangest creatures--

Humans--

Will spare no effort
in their quest

To answer the unanswerable.

[Martin]
we spent a lot of time in africa

Checking out creatures.

We've had some
cool adventures down here.

[Chris]
we know our way around
this continent pretty well.

[Martin]
we're confident

We're going to find the site
of those bear fossils.

[Chris]
we'll find it, all right.

We just got to keep looking.