Witness the skill and cunning of the great feline predators. Lions, Tigers, Leopards, and Cheetahs all are the embodiment of feline grace and power. They are spectacular top predators that dominate their world and command our respect and our attention. This visually beautiful film brings together dramatic footage from around the world and shares intimate moments from the private lives of cats.
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AnimalsTranscript
00:00They say the lion is king of beasts, but is he alone?
00:16There are 41 species of cat, the embodiment of feline grace and power.
00:22Spectacular top predators that command our respect.
00:30But who is top cat, the one to rule them all?
00:42To start, let's consider what it is to be a cat.
00:47Ranging from pussy-sized wildcats, a mere 5 kilos,
00:52to the 3.5-metre, 300-kilo Siberian tiger,
00:57there are special traits that set them apart.
01:05To help with their agility, cats have elongated, flexible spines.
01:13Essential if you're going to take a dive.
01:16And long tails that help them balance on high-speed turns.
01:28Though the lynx family manages without very much at all.
01:33Cats are secretive, solitary ambush predators.
01:36Their success lies in their technique.
01:40Killer claws are attracted so the cats can stalk silently on padded feet.
01:46Tried and tested hunting methods unite the family.
01:51Crouch unseen.
01:54Stalk within range.
01:58Stalk within range.
02:08And strike.
02:25Finally, the kiss of death from dagger-like teeth.
02:33Cats usually work alone.
02:35But there are exceptions.
02:39Lions don't just ambush.
02:41They combine their skills to set a trap.
02:48Flankers get into position.
02:55Others go behind to drive the herd.
03:11The trap is set.
03:15Frightened zebras run from their attacker, but straight into the flankers.
03:22.
03:44.
03:47The Cheetah has a different strategy.
04:09It's a sprinter.
04:10More dog-like in its long-legged anatomy, it can't retract its claws.
04:21They are not the sharp meat hooks of other species.
04:24Instead, worn spikes that help it grip the ground.
04:29And it's not difficult to see why it would need them.
04:32With top speeds of over 100 kilometers per hour, it's the fastest of all land animals.
05:02Like the lion, the Cheetah has a trait that sets them apart from other cats.
05:11It's not uncommon to see them in groups.
05:15Bands of young males, often from the same litter, forming what is called a coalition.
05:20When they are just starting out as adults on the plains, having company gives them more elbow defending a patch.
05:30Two young trespassers are in trouble.
05:36The brothers are six times more likely to be able to secure a territory than a single male.
05:41With backup from a bro, a Cheetah also has a better chance of scoring a date.
05:52These three litter mates have surrounded a female, penning her in against the bushes.
06:00All will help keep her here until she's ready to mate.
06:04Though it's likely that only one brother will father her offspring.
06:11The territory of male cheetahs overlap with several females, so there will be other chances for the brothers to breed.
06:25It's a typical cat strategy for the males to have very large territories that incorporate a number of female home ranges.
06:35The South American Pumas home range may be a whopping 700 square kilometers or more.
06:41Three times bigger than the females, which means the tom must do a lot of walking.
06:50And in the Andes, over quite a challenging terrain.
06:53While some must contend with mountains, others have to negotiate dense jungle.
07:08In the Amazon, there is only one top cat.
07:20Large territories mean the male cats, like this heavy-set jaguar, must be always on the move, patrolling their perimeters, checking up on their ladies, and making sure no other toms are trying to muscle in on their patch.
07:48At first glance, the cats are following invisible boundaries, but they have their own special methods of staking land claims.
08:00At regular and prominent points around the borders, the male cats scent mark.
08:07Urine carries important information, like a message board that others can read.
08:16It says how many animals are present, and how fit and healthy they are.
08:20The message to other males is clear.
08:22This spot is taken.
08:24Keep out.
08:33In the Amazon rainforest, love is in the air.
08:35When a female is ready, the male will escort her for several days, so they can mate repeatedly.
08:48It's hard to tell if the she-cats are enjoying themselves.
09:10The males have barbs on their penises that scrape their insides.
09:22She often seems unhappy with the sensation.
09:32But it's believed this scratching may trigger ovulation and ensure a successful mating.
09:50When it comes to libido, the lion really is the king of beasts.
10:06This big boy can put out every 20 minutes.
10:20You might think these lovers would be exhausted after such a mating marathon, but think again.
10:36Day and night, the studs at it.
10:38When the lioness is in season, they may mate up to 40 times a day for three or four days in a row.
10:45The ultimate example of feline stamina.
10:48If having pack mates makes you uncat-like, the lion is one species that moves the cat clan onto a new level.
10:58The ultimate pack hunter.
11:01Lions form prides, centred around related females and their offspring.
11:13The larger males take over and try to retain exclusive access to the girls.
11:16There may be just one male, or a male coalition, who take over a group of 5 to 30 lionesses.
11:33Being social means that lions have multiple mothers to protect and raise their young.
11:42And of course their combined strength means they can tackle some pretty big prey.
11:47Thanks to their adaptability, the cat clan have conquered the world.
12:04This young jaguar will grow up to be the top predator in the Amazon.
12:15From steamy lush rainforests, to frigid mountain tops, cats are everywhere.
12:27At nearly 600 metres above sea level, the puma still finds rich pickings from the herds of native guanaco.
12:34A wild relative of the llama.
12:42The cats of dense woodland can be secretive and hard to spot.
12:46The wild cat's stripes help it to blend into the shadows.
12:52While the great plains offer a wealth of prey animals, if you are big enough to tackle them,
12:56each landscape brings new challenges, including changing seasons.
13:09Some species must move with the time of year, trailing the migration of their prey.
13:26The wild cat's past the wild cat.
13:27The turquoise is greater than the fiend Hershey's, to the wild cat.
13:35The wild cat's past the wild cat's past the dark.
13:38The wild cat's past the wild cat.
13:40I've got a list ofπ郎 of the cat.
13:42It's a tiny bit.
13:44You should find a list of the raccoon ability to get rid of the enablement of your cat.
13:47They're already over the pot of the cat.
13:49The wild cat's past the wild cat's past the wild cat.
13:52But it could be hard.
14:22To keep up with the herds.
14:30So others sit it out, using their thick coats to survive the bleakest snow.
14:41The Siberian tiger's winter often drops to 30 below.
14:50Walking in old footprints speeds his passage.
14:58And there's another specialist in the northern forests.
15:05The lynx has huge snowshoe-like feet so that it can even stalk deer.
15:18Their compact hooves sink deep into the snow.
15:28One-row deer wasn't fast enough.
15:45The wildcat's acute hearing picks up the sounds of prey.
15:50Even mice beneath the snow.
16:12With sharp claws, virtually nothing is out of reach.
16:22Hunting is at the core of being a cat.
16:29The feline's family has invented different body forms for different hunting strategies.
16:39The size and build of each species determines its target.
16:43For the more petite members of the family, the prey is small and sneaky.
16:53For the biggest, virtually anything can be on the menu.
17:04The sea and build of each species.
17:16The sea and build of each species.
17:22For a 200-kilo Bengal tiger, a 300-kilo sambar deer is
17:52easy prey.
17:57Plant-eaters, deer, antelope, zebra, these are the standard fare for many big cats, but
18:03some species specialise in more challenging prey, meals that can bite back.
18:17One of the toughest hunters is the elegant jaguar.
18:21And for pound, it's the strongest of big cats, stocky and muscular.
18:26And with its preferred prey, it's easy to see why this pussy needs muscle.
18:34The hamen feature surprisingly high on the big cat's menu, but even the ancient reptiles
18:42are fast and alert.
18:52Playing within striking range requires stealth and patience.
18:58With his plan foiled, he tries easier, more typical prey.
19:05With his rosettes of spots, the jaguar disappears in the dappled shadows of the forest.
19:18But the pig-like peccaries are super alert.
19:36So he tries the river banks, and the capybara, the world's biggest rodent.
19:55Only half his hunts will be successful, and like other predators, he must adapt to whatever
20:01feeding opportunity he can find.
20:06Hunting these crocs is not without risks.
20:08Those toothy jaws can slam shut with over 900 kilos of pressure.
20:13But still, the hunter persists.
20:18He must disable the huge reptile before it has the chance to bite.
20:35The jaguar's long canine teeth try to pierce the thick, leathery skin.
20:48Attempting to damage the spine, and push the croc down to drown it.
20:56Anything he can do to weaken his deadly dinner.
21:18After the titanic battle, the exhausted cat still isn't in the clear.
21:27He must drag the 100 kilo caiman before any of the crocodile's kin come to investigate.
21:33A huge effort, but finally, the big cat will eat well.
21:56Back to the cheetah family, and mum needs to hunt.
22:10It is not easy to hunt with cubs in tow, but a quick call, and the cubs know to sit aside and wait.
22:26The pressures on, the success of the hunt could dictate the fate of the entire family.
22:35Because of their light build, cheetahs do have size limits on their prey base,
22:40favouring the delicate Thompson's gazelle.
22:42Only around half of attacks result in a kill.
22:58The bachelor boys, of course, have numbers on their side.
23:10They stalk the herd, moving the wildebeest around while they select a target,
23:15an animal with any sign of weakness.
23:19That's the big cat and the sea.
23:21It's just a big cat.
23:24It's just a dark one.
23:25It's just a great cat, and if you don't want to find a situation,
23:26what you do, if you just call your cat...
23:28...soak, and then you're driving.
23:31The ocean was down there and you can find a way to get a complete walk.
23:35The ocean was over and you can't find a way to follow the other cat.
23:38The ocean was over and you can't find a way to survive.
23:42Even the biggest cheetah weighs only 70 kilos, a third of the wildebeest's bulk.
24:00It will take all three brothers to bring it down.
24:03Once subdued, a cat characteristic suffocating bite to the throat will finish it off.
24:16A single cheetah could never manage a kill of this size.
24:24The mother cheetah must try again, only with slightly lower ambition.
24:31The gazelles are fast and with stamina.
24:34She can only sprint over short distances, so must get close.
24:50Out to 95 in three seconds.
24:57.
25:04.
25:09.
25:23.
25:24Now the kids are allowed to come and sample the dish of the day, it's very fresh.
25:46A sad loss for the gazelle herd, but cheetahs have got to eat.
25:51Whether predator or prey, life is a constant battle on the African plains.
26:06In the bushes, another cheetah mother has much younger cubs, just a few days old.
26:17It's a tough challenge to grow up in the cat family.
26:20There is a lot of learning before a kitten can become the ultimate killer.
26:29At birth, all cats are pretty helpless.
26:36Small litters of blind, wobbly kittens is the norm.
26:44After 10 days or so, their eyes are open and limbs stronger, but are still totally dependent
26:49on their mothers for food and protection.
26:57However, young cats grow fast.
27:12It'll be two months before they are old enough to join their mothers on hunts, but already
27:17they practice on each other.
27:27Contrary to the cat's solitary reputation, the bond is strong.
27:31At this age, nothing can drive the family apart.
27:38Though boisterous kittens are a handful to all species of cat.
27:43As they grow and get more sure on their feet, kittens start to play.
28:07They're the perfect way to hone their skills.
28:13Wrestling and chasing improve their coordination and ability to judge distance.
28:28All this activity will encourage the cat's basal instinct to hunt.
28:54Though it will take a bit of practice.
29:20And for all cats, kittenhood's a very dangerous time.
29:25They say it's a dog-eat-dog world, but cats can be pretty mean to each other as well.
29:36It's instinctive for one predator to want to get rid of another.
29:40To remove the competition for food.
29:43So when lions pick up the scent of our cheetah's cubs, it means serious trouble.
30:02The cubs must lay low.
30:11The lions scour the scrub for the litter.
30:15There is little their mother can do.
30:30The lions are almost three times her size.
30:33She's powerless.
30:52Bravely she decoys the lioness, trying to draw her from the cubs.
30:56She doesn't have the lions bulk, but she does have speed on her side.
31:15She doesn't have the lions bulk, but she does have speed on her side.
31:31Her plan seems to be working.
31:33She draws their attack.
31:39Two kittens make a dash for cover.
31:47But for one, it's too late.
31:50The lioness doesn't want to eat the cub.
31:53Just get rid of the competition.
32:00Only one in twenty cheetah cubs make it to adulthood.
32:03Seventy percent are killed by lions.
32:06It's a blow to the cheetah family, but thanks to the mother's bravery, two have survived.
32:14With most species of cat, the father is nowhere to be seen during a kitten's kittenhood.
32:20Of course, the exception is the lion.
32:25With his bulk, he can protect his family from most dangers, except perhaps another lion.
32:33A rival male would want to get rid of the genes of his predecessor, encouraging the females
32:38to have his babies instead, even if it means killing cubs.
32:47Luckily, this male's managing to hold on to his throne.
32:52As the kittens mature, their lifestyles will change, starting with their diets.
33:00For the first six months or so, all cats are dependent on their mother's milk.
33:11But today, instead of dishing up milk, the mother lynx calls to her cubs.
33:21If she has the remains of a deer she's buried, it's time for the cubs' first taste of meat.
33:36As well as a change in taste, there is a change in appearance.
33:46The lion cubs have faint spots when they are younger, to help them blend into the grass.
33:51As they get older, these will fade.
33:54The sandy coats of the adults being ideal camouflage on the dry grass plains.
34:01Cats are masters of camouflage.
34:13They have the unique ability to vanish, ideal for getting close to their prey.
34:32The mother puma has spotted a baby guanaco, an easy target.
34:40But this time, she doesn't kill her victim.
34:52Instead, she calls in her cubs.
35:03There is a lot to master in the art of death.
35:07The mother won't help.
35:09Only if the cubs can figure it out, will they get to feed.
35:14A cruel death, but vital to the young cubs' training.
35:23Already, the cubs are squabbling over the kill.
35:26A sure sign that they are almost ready to graduate from predator school.
35:30The cubs have some great tools to get them started.
35:37All the cats' senses are fine-tuned.
35:43Radar ears.
35:45Sniffer dog noses.
35:48And above all, eagle eyes.
35:55In fact, their eyes are so sensitive, they can hunt under the cover of darkness.
36:02And cats' eyes are uniquely suited to absorb what little light is available,
36:07intensifying it so that they can see better than their prey in the dark.
36:19It's so dark, only thermal images reveal their skills.
36:23They do not let the peopleench them.
36:25They have the parts of the mob Foggy.
36:26And shit!
36:27Time to die!
36:28It's so dark.
36:29It's so dark and messy.
36:30Theinquiry depression, sad to cry.
36:31The
36:41night of miracle, При terrifying,
36:43what do you want to do?
36:44The witch outside is so dark.
36:45No one will lose every time.
36:46The witch outside is so dark.
36:47A not too dark and the king should be.
36:48It's so dark.
36:49The witch outside is so dark.
36:50It's so dark.
36:51The witch outside is so dark.
36:53Even faint moonlight is enough to hunt by.
36:56Despite the limitations of light, lions are still able to organize a coordinated attack.
37:02The prey's eyesight is far weaker.
37:32But a feisty zebra can fight back.
37:55The lions don't give up.
38:25Twilight is the perfect time to hunt.
38:38With their sensitive eyes, the cats have a clear advantage.
38:42But not all conditions are conducive to their bloodlust.
38:50A general rule of the cat world is to avoid water.
38:55For the most part, they don't like being caught out in the rain.
38:59There's great enthusiasm when the dam pour ends, grooming to dry off their fur.
39:26But there is one cat that likes water, even specializing in aquatic prey.
39:39And in the rain-drenched forests of the Amazon, it's just as well.
39:51For the jaguar, the waterways are the perfect place to stalk its prey.
40:00As big as pigs, the capybaras are a super-sized guinea pig.
40:06But living in family groups, they are wary.
40:09Many pairs of eyes look out for danger.
40:19They hug the riverbanks, ready to dive for cover in the water if danger threatens.
40:25They hug the riverbanks from the water.
40:43Ah! Ah!
40:46Oh, my God.
41:16Even in the water, the predator's deadly.
41:22The young capybara didn't stand a chance.
41:33Hunting can be made harder by busybody neighbours.
41:37Giraffes spy on a lion hunt.
41:46The pride fans out, surrounding a small group of zebra and wildebeest on the marshes.
42:06Surprise will be the key to their attack.
42:08Their cover blown, the lions make a last-ditch attempt.
42:29The nosy neighbour better watch its step.
42:45And then, when kills are successful, there is always someone wanting to share in your fortunes.
43:05Vultures have the sharpest eyes on the savannah, and it's never long before there is a queue for dinner.
43:14Mother and cubs can cope with the squabbling vultures.
43:35But there is another uninvited guest, who makes them more nervous.
43:41With bone-crushing jaws, the spotted hyena would make short work of the cheetah family, so mum ushers them to safety.
43:48Without retractable claws, cheetahs are not the best climbers, but blessed with cat agility, they get out of harm's reach.
44:03The hyena crashes the vultures' party, and the cheetah can lead her cubs to safety.
44:18Cats are committed mothers, but the time must come for every kitten to fly the nest.
44:37And mum's not exactly subtle in encouraging them out of the door.
44:40The wild cat has caught a rat, but her five-month-old kits are in for disappointment.
44:51No more mooching off mum.
45:10It's time to leave home.
45:31For young cats around the world, this is the moment to strike out, find new territory, avoid bigger, older competitors, refine their hunting skills.
45:44A coalition of cheetah littermates look for an easy first target.
46:01To be continued...
46:25warthogs are surprisingly agile
46:33try again
46:42there's an ostrich family nearby
46:55but it's well guarded by a two-meter 140 kilo angry bird time for some team
47:03work
47:14one of the cubs decoys dad
47:25while his brothers sneak around the back
47:32these young cheetahs are top cats in the making
47:48though all cats are different they are runners
47:55water lovers
47:57or party people
48:00they all have a lot in common
48:02the family shares
48:04elegance agility
48:06strength heightened senses
48:09luxurious coats silent feet
48:12and the killer instinct
48:16and although they are top predators we have let all of these traits into our homes
48:31even the domestic cat exhibits the spectacular characteristics
48:38the
48:45the
48:47the
48:49the
48:51the
48:53the
48:58so which of these moggies has what it takes to be a top cat
49:02the giant tiger
49:03the powerful jaguar
49:05speedy cheetah
49:06or socialite lion
49:08each has its own niche in which it excels exhibiting the traits that make cats great
49:15but each with a little spin of its own
49:21perhaps to be top cat just being a cat is enough
49:29the
49:31the
49:32the
49:36the
49:38the
49:40the
49:42the
49:43and
49:44the
49:46Transcription by CastingWords