In nature, living long enough to breed is a monumental struggle. Many animals and plants go to extremes to give themselves a chance.

Fish dominate the planet\'s waters through their astonishing variety of shape and behaviour.

Mammals\' ability to learn new tricks is the key to survival in the knife-edge world of hunters and hunted. In a TV first, a killer whale off the Falklands does something unique: it sneaks into a pool where elephant seal pups learn to swim and snatches them, saving itself the trouble of hunting in the open sea.

There are 200 million insects for each of us. They are the most successful animal group ever. Their key is an armoured covering that takes on almost any shape.

Mammals dominate the planet. They do it through having warm blood and by the care they lavish on their young.

Plants\' solutions to life\'s challenges are as ingenious and manipulative as any animal\'s.

Primates are just like us - intelligent, quarrelsome, family-centred.

Reptiles and amphibians look like hang-overs from the past. But they overcome their shortcomings through amazing innovation.