Secrets of Bones

Secrets of Bones

2014
1 Season
7.0
Documentary

Evolutionary biologist and master skeleton builder Ben Garrod looks at how bones have enabled vertebrates to colonise and dominate practically every habitat on Earth.

Episodes

Size Matters
E1Feb 18, 201430m

Size Matters

Evolutionary biologist Ben Garrod Ben shows what bone is constructed from and how it can support animals that are both tiny (a frog) and massive (the blue whale).

Down to Earth
E2Feb 25, 201430m

Down to Earth

Ben Garrod discovers how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land in many ways and explores the role of the spine in both cheetahs and snakes.

Into the Air
E3Mar 4, 201430m

Into the Air

Ben Garrod finds out how the skeleton has allowed vertebrates to take to the air, why the pigeon is an exceptional flier and how the albatross makes huge migrations.

Sensing the World
E4Mar 11, 201430m

Sensing the World

Ben Garrod delves into the surprising ways in which bone has evolved to help vertebrates sense the world around them, from wolves and sheep to the great grey owl.

Food for Thought
E5Mar 18, 201430m

Food for Thought

Ben Garrod uncovers the secrets of how vertebrates capture and devour their food using extreme jaws, bizarre teeth and specialised bony tools.

Sex
E6Mar 25, 201430m

Sex

Ben Garrod seeks out the big part that bones can play in reproduction. Through sexual selection, the skeleton has adapted to aid courtship, competition and even copulation.

Top Cast

Ben Garrod

Ben Garrod

Self - Presenter