Meet the Family

S1 E2: Our primate family has some weird and wonderful members. From the ninja tarsier, a spring loaded ambush predator the size of a tennis ball, to the aye aye - a real life gremlin that hunts with its extra-terrestrial fingers. In this programme we explore how primates have adapted in both body and mind to survive right across the planet. In the depths of winter Japanese macaques huddle to save vital heat in temperatures that would kill any other monkey. At the other extreme, chacma baboons head 100 metres underground to avoid being eaten, and verreaux's sifakas navigate a dangerous world of spines to gain access to precious water. Then there are baboons with a thirst for flamingo flesh; macaques with criminal minds; and fluorescent mandrills who wear war-paint to do battle.