The 9th episode of the Planet Earth DVD series is devoted to the many shallow seas that fringe the world’s continents. Although the represent only 8% of Earth’s oceans, they contain the most marine life. Planet Earth shows a mother humpback whale and her calf returning to their breeding grounds in the tropics. The young humpback whale will take in up to 500 litres of milk a day while its mother starves as they travel back to the poles to feed. This tremendous journey must be undertaken while they both have sufficient energy.
Planet Earth episode 8 also shows the coral reefs in Indonesia that are home to the biggest variety of ocean dwellers. Creatures found among the reef include banded sea kraits, which ally themselves with goatfish and trevally in order to hunt. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, dolphins show off their excellent swimming skills as they hydroplane in the shallowest waters to catch a meal. Far away in Bahrain, 100,000 Socotra cormorants rely on shamals that blow sand grains into the nearby Persian Gulf, transforming it into a rich fishing ground.
In the spring, the appearance of algae starts a food chain that leads to an abundant harvest, with marvelous creatures such as sea lions and dusky dolphins taking advantage. In Southern Africa, chokka squid are preyed on by short-tail stingrays while Cape fur seals that share the waters are hunted by the world’s largest predatory fish: the great white shark. On Marion Island in the Indian Ocean, a group of king penguins must cross a beach occupied by fur seals that do not hesitate to attack them.
Planet Earth episode 8 also shows the coral reefs in Indonesia that are home to the biggest variety of ocean dwellers. Creatures found among the reef include banded sea kraits, which ally themselves with goatfish and trevally in order to hunt. Meanwhile, in Western Australia, dolphins show off their excellent swimming skills as they hydroplane in the shallowest waters to catch a meal. Far away in Bahrain, 100,000 Socotra cormorants rely on shamals that blow sand grains into the nearby Persian Gulf, transforming it into a rich fishing ground.
In the spring, the appearance of algae starts a food chain that leads to an abundant harvest, with marvelous creatures such as sea lions and dusky dolphins taking advantage. In Southern Africa, chokka squid are preyed on by short-tail stingrays while Cape fur seals that share the waters are hunted by the world’s largest predatory fish: the great white shark. On Marion Island in the Indian Ocean, a group of king penguins must cross a beach occupied by fur seals that do not hesitate to attack them.
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