Episode 1 counts down our top 20 toughest animals on Earth. From deceptively cute foxes to fish with piranha-proof scales and giant brawling mammals, being tough is essential to staying alive in the wild. Whether it's scrapping over breeding rights, enduring extreme conditions or boasting a supercharged immune system, our top toughest species are so impressive they inspire military technology and even potentially life-saving medical science.

Life under the waves isn’t for the faint-hearted. Episode 2 counts down the masters of the aquatic realm. We venture through marine and freshwater environments, meeting extraordinary species such as a duck that has mastered the white water rapids of the Andes Mountains, a seabird that becomes a precision-guided missile to catch fish, and one of the most successful ambush predators on the planet. We finally land upon an apex predator, and reveal the features that make it the true aquatic master.

Episode 3 explores the extraordinary intelligence and skills that define some of the animal kingdom’s most remarkable species. From apes that craft tools to birds that solve complex puzzles, and cunning predators that employ strategic hunting techniques, we reveal the brilliant minds behind survival in the wild. Discover how these animals use their wits to beat the competition, stay off the menu, and adapt to their environment. Prepare to be amazed by nature’s most intelligent and skilful creatures.

Episode 4 delves into the incredible lengths animal parents will go to protect their offspring. From surprisingly nurturing reptiles to birds and turtles that employ clever strategies to deceive predators and protect their young from would-be predators. Whether it's providing abundant food, offering unwavering protection, or engaging in unique behaviours, our top 20 animal parents go the extra mile to safeguard their newborns and give them the best possible start for life in the wild.

Episode 5 reveals nature's stealthiest and most deceptive creatures. From near silent flight and color-changing camouflage to deceptive scents and mimicry, these wild contenders have perfected the art of blending into their surroundings. The covert traits are used to lure prey, hide from predators and even to reproduce. Each species earns its stealthy credentials but which one takes the crown as our master of disguise?