Ep 4. Forests

Untamed Americas is a nature documentary television show that explores the diverse and untamed natural landscape of North and South America. In Season 1's Episode 4 named Forests, the show takes us through the dense forests and the varied wildlife that calls it home.

The episode opens with the stunning aerial shot of the forest, and from there, it takes us to the ground level. It showcases the mineral-rich forests of the Pacific Northwest to the lush canopy of the Amazon rainforest. The forests are home to numerous plants and animals that have evolved to thrive in its environment.

The episode features the famed redwood trees of California, which are among the tallest trees in the world, standing at over 350 feet tall. We learn about the ecosystem of the redwoods and how it supports a wide range of animals such as squirrels, woodpeckers, and even some of the world's smallest mammals, the chipmunks. The episode explains how the thick bark of these trees protects them from forest fires, and how the extinct giant sloths from the Pleistocene age depended on them for food.

Next, we move to the Great Bear Rainforest of British Columbia, which was once threatened by logging. The show depicts the conservation efforts that saved the ancient forests, along with the wildlife that call it home. We see the giant grizzly bears that roam the dense forests, feeding on salmon that migrate to the rivers every year. We also witness the rare and elusive spirit bear, which is a subspecies of black bears that have a unique genetic trait that makes them white.

The episode then takes us to the fungal forest of the Pacific Northwest, where we learn about the symbiotic relationship between trees and fungi. The fungi live in the roots of trees, and in return, the trees share nutrients with them. We see how the forest's decomposition process helps enrich the soil, followed by the incredible life cycle of mushrooms.

Further, the show features the wildlife of the Amazon rainforest. From the howler monkeys that make eerie sounds, to the giant otters that hunt in the rivers, to the jaguars that hunt under the canopy, we get to witness the rich biodiversity of this vast forest system. We also get to see the unique adaptations of the animals that live there, such as the sloths' slow movement, which makes them unnoticeable in the thick canopy.

Finally, the show takes us to the temperate rainforest of Chile. We learn about how these forests support the endangered pudu deer, the world's smallest deer, alongside other exotic wildlife such as the puma and the South American tapir. We see the vibrant colors of the southern winter, which create a unique contrast with the green forest and the diverse wildlife that thrives in it.

Overall, the episode depicts the varied wildlife that lives in the forests of North and South America. It illustrates the intricate relationship between the forests, the trees, the animals, and the environment. The episode is an excellent visual treat for nature enthusiasts and those who appreciate the untamed beauty of the natural world.