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Secrets of Bones

Secrets of Bones is a six-part BBC documentary series presented by Ben Garrod, looking at how bones have enabled vertebrates to colonise and dominate practically every habitat on Earth. In this series, Ben Garrod explores how bone can support animals that are both minuscule and massive; how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land; how the skeleton has allowed vertebrates to take to the air; how bone has evolved to help vertebrates sense the world; how vertebrates capture and devour their food; and how bones can play in reproduction.

Episode 1 Episode 2 Episode 3 Episode 4

Episode 5 Episode 6

Episode 1 - Size Matters
Ben Garrod shows what bone is constructed from and how it can support animals that are both minuscule and massive.

Episode 2 - Down to Earth
Ben Garrod discovers how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land in a remarkable number of ways.

Episode 3 - Into the Air
Ben Garrod finds out how the skeleton has allowed vertebrates to do the most remarkable thing of all - take to the air.

Episode 4 - Sensing the World
Ben Garrod delves into the surprising ways in which bone has evolved to help vertebrates sense the world around them.

Episode 5 - Food for Thought
Ben Garrod uncovers the secrets of how vertebrates capture and devour their food using extreme jaws, bizarre teeth and specialized bony tools.

Episode 6 - 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.