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Episode 1

Chris Packham examines some of the weirdest natural events on the planet, including a car cocooned by caterpillars in Holland and a case of exploding toads in Germany.

In the first programme of this two-part series, Chris Packham takes us around the world to the scene of some of the weirdest natural events on the planet. With the help of footage taken by eyewitnesses and news crews, he unravels the facts and the science behind each phenomenon.

There is the mysterious case of the car cocooned by caterpillars in Holland and the baffling case of the exploding toads in Germany. In Switzerland, a lakeside town is entombed in ice and a once-in-a-lifetime storm turns Sydney, Australia, crimson overnight. There are some disturbing plagues of mice and locusts and a swarm of ladybirds. And finally there are extraordinary strandings of starfish, crabs and whales.

Chris tells the real story of the events behind the headlines and helps to explain what on Earth happened.

1 hour

Last on

Mon 13 Apr 2020 14:00

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Clips

Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • 00:03

    Bonobo

    Light Pattern

  • 00:26

    The xx

    Intro

  • 00:27

    Dusty Springfield

    I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Chris Packham
Director Louise Turner
Producer Tim Scoones
Producer Lucinda Axelsson

Broadcasts

  • Tue 3 Jan 2012 20:00
  • Tue 3 Jan 2012 23:20
  • Mon 16 Apr 2012 03:25
  • Sat 23 Jun 2012 18:00
  • Thu 6 Dec 2012 19:00
  • Thu 27 Dec 2012 16:55
  • Sun 7 Jul 2013 13:50
  • Sun 7 Jul 2013 14:50
  • Mon 1 Sep 2014 15:40
  • Mon 1 Sep 2014 15:45
  • Mon 23 Jul 2018 15:15
  • Mon 13 Apr 2020 14:00

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BBC Taster: Nature's Weirdest

BBC Taster: Nature's Weirdest

Delve into weird and wonderful stories of the natural world with this interactive video.