Ep 12. Spy In The Wild - Meet the Spies

The show Nature season 35 episode 12 titled Spy In The Wild - Meet the Spies is a fascinating exploration into the world of animal behavior. This episode is the first in the series and introduces us to 'spy creatures', which are lifelike animatronic creatures that are designed to blend in with animals in the wild. These spy creatures are equipped with various cameras and sensors that allow them to capture never-before-seen footage of the animals they are studying.

The episode takes us on a journey through different habitats, each with its own set of unique animals. We start off in Africa, where we meet a troop of Langur monkeys. The spy creature in this instance is a Langur monkey, complete with a fur coat and tail that the monkeys accept as one of their own. The spy creature captures amazing footage of the social behavior of the monkeys, including their grooming rituals, playtime, and interactions within the group.

Next, we travel to the Arctic, where we meet a pack of gray wolves. The spy creature this time is a wolf pup, which the wolves adopt as part of their pack. The spy creature captures incredible footage of the pack's hunting strategies, their communication with each other, and the bond between pack members.

We then head over to South America, where we meet a group of meerkats. The spy creature this time is a meerkat, which the meerkats initially treat with suspicion before accepting it as one of their own. The spy creature captures amazing footage of the meerkats' foraging habits, their communication, and their unique posture called 'sentinel behavior' where one meerkat constantly scans the horizons for any signs of predators.

Finally, we head over to Asia, where we meet a troop of Japanese macaques. The spy creature this time is a baby macaque, which the adult macaques adopt and care for as if it were one of their own. The spy creature captures fantastic footage of the macaques' unique hot spring bathing rituals, their playtime, and their cute interactions with each other.

Throughout the episode, we also get to see behind-the-scenes footage of how the spy creatures were designed and built. The process involves careful observation of the animals in the wild, as well as consultations with experts in animal behavior and biomechanics. The spy creatures are designed to mimic the animals as closely as possible, right down to their movements, sounds, and even smells.

Overall, this episode of Nature is an excellent introduction to the series, offering a unique perspective on animal behavior and providing fascinating insights into the world of spy creatures. The footage captured by the spy creatures is nothing short of incredible, and it gives us a glimpse into the lives of animals that would otherwise be impossible to see. If you're a nature lover or a fan of wildlife documentaries, this episode is an absolute must-watch.