Africa's Hunters Season 1 Episode 6 Survivors of the Plains
- TVPG
- May 5, 2017
- 48 min
-
(8)
In this episode of Africa's Hunters, viewers are taken to the expansive African plains to witness how survival instincts help certain creatures to go against all odds and brave the challenges nature poses for them.
Survivors of the Plains highlights the stories of remarkable animals living in an environment filled with predators, scarcity, and unforgiving terrain. Each species has a unique trait that helps them thrive in the wild and provides them with the necessary skills to remain competitive in the animal kingdom. Some of these animals are relatively small but still powerful and resilient, while others are much larger and equip themselves with strength and stamina to survive.
The episode opens with a group of African wild dogs that are on a hunt for prey. As they traverse the fields, we start to observe how teamwork is crucial for their success. Working together, African dogs are some of the biggest predators on the African plains. They hunt as a pack, with a designated lead dog keeping a steady pace. The pack follows, and once they find a target, they relentlessly pursue it, eventually wearing it down and attacking it as a group.
The episode then shifts its focus to one of the slowest and most vulnerable creatures in the wild - the pangolin. Pangolins are under threat from various predators, and their slow movement restricts their ability to escape an attack. As such, they have developed several survival strategies that help them remain safe. Pangolins curl up into a tight ball with their tough scales offering them protection against predators. Moreover, they excrete a horrible odor, which serves as a shield to drive off possible attackers and give them time to escape.
As the episode continues, viewers are shown how cheetahs embody speed and agility in action. Cheetahs are the fastest animals on earth, and their hunting technics are second to none. The narrator watches as a cheetah stalks a herd of gazelles and ultimately choses one to bring down. The cheetah's speed and agility are on full display as it hunts; their legs are long, with flexible bones, allowing them to maintain high speed while chasing prey at close range and thus providing them with a massive advantage.
The filmmakers also reveal that the African plains are home to rhinos and elephants, two of the most dominant animals in the animal kingdom. The rhinoceros' massive horn, combined with its incredible strength, makes it a formidable opponent. The elephant, on the other hand, relies on its massive size and strength to scare off predators or run them over if necessary. In addition, their massive size makes it easier for them to traverse through dense forests or rivers.
Another fascinating animal story that unfolds in this episode of Africa's Hunters is the one where the mongoose does battle with a snake. The mongoose is a master of fighting snakes, despite being tiny and lightweight. Similar to the cheetah, the mongoose is also quick, agile, and equipped with sharp teeth that enable them to take down snakes, including the venomous ones.
In the final analysis, the Survivors of the Plains episode of Africa's Hunters conveys a simple yet powerful message - the survival instinct in animals is strong. These hunters have adapted to the harsh environment they live in for many years, and their instincts, skills, and survival strategies have evolved to ensure their existence. Their very existence is a testament to the ability of animals, no matter how small or vulnerable they may seem, to survive in the African plains.