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Defying Gravity

Episode 1 of 3

Documentary series exploring how animals effortlessly beat gravity, from the African caracal's 'rocket-propelled' launch to the Australian kangaroo's hop.

With the help of some surprising creatures from around the world, this series sets out to discover how animals take to the air, defying the force all airborne animals must conquer, gravity.

In Africa, a caracal's 'rocket-propelled' launch enables it to catch birds in flight. In the Australian outback, a kangaroo's hop is key to finding water in a desert of over a million square kilometres. On an English farm, an insect's ultimate ejector seat accelerates it to 700G with help from a clutch in its crotch. And high above the jungles of Borneo, a leaping snake's unique shape allows it to glide, even without wings.

58 minutes

Last on

Sat 11 Mar 2023 10:00

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Music Played

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

  • 00:49

    Berk and The Virtual Band

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Credits

Role Contributor
Narrator Suranne Jones
Series Producer James Brickell

Broadcasts

  • Sun 3 Apr 2016 17:00
  • Wed 15 Jun 2016 02:35
  • Mon 24 Sep 2018 15:45
  • Sat 14 Sep 2019 20:00
  • Sun 15 Sep 2019 03:00
  • Tue 25 Aug 2020 15:15
  • Sat 26 Jun 2021 13:40
  • Sat 11 Mar 2023 10:00

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