Playtime Andy's Baby Animals

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals

# If you're a polar bear and you're going somewhere

# Andy's Baby Animals

# Or an elephant calf, then you better take care

# Andy's Baby Animals

# If you're a capuchin learning how to eat

# An ostrich chick trying to beat a retreat

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals

# If you're a black bear looking for a tree to climb

# Andy's Baby Animals

# Or a penguin chasing Mum at breakfast time

# Andy's Baby Animals

# An orang-utan trying to make a bed

# Or a meerkat struggling with a sleepy head

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals

# We're growing stronger every day

# Watch and try and learn and play

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals. #

Come on, guys.

That's it.

Hello, I'm Andy.

And these are meerkats.

And meerkats have lots of energy. They're very, very active.

When they're babies, or pups, they've got lots of brothers

and sisters because they live in big families called mobs.

Sometimes, they like to stand up, just like we do.

But they're looking for danger.

Up in the sky, or down on the ground.

They love to eat.

But mainly, they just like to play.

And they're not the only ones. All baby animals love playing.

Just like you.

Today, we start in East Africa.

This handsome chap is a baby mountain gorilla.

He's very special

because there aren't many mountain gorillas left in the world.

He lives with his family in this forest in Uganda.

Mum's always around for a cuddle.

And that's Dad in the middle. He's a bit of a big ape.

See?

In fact, he's the biggest ape in the whole world.

But he's got a soft side to him, too.

Gorillas love eating leaves,

so having a home in the forest is brilliant.

It's like living in a sweetshop. Mm-mm!

And after lunch... ANDY YAWNS

..maybe a snooze.

There's no napping for the youngsters, though.

It's time to play.

It might be fun,

but playing also helps baby animals learn all about their world.

Like which branches to swing from.

And which not to.

Learning to climb is very important for a gorilla

because they sleep up in the trees.

I know!

It doesn't sound very comfortable, does it?

They like playing on the ground, as well, though.

A gorilla's favourite game is wrestling.

Careful, you two.

Watch out for your baby brother.

Oh! Oh!

Don't worry, he's all right.

Maybe you should go and see Dad.

He's good at looking after you.

Well, most of the time.

Ah, look.

Looks like he's getting ready to show off again.

Male gorillas beat their chests to prove how big and brave they are.

The young ones like practising showing off, too.

I don't think they've quite got the hang of it yet, though.

Keep trying, little one.

Ouch!

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals. #

Next, we're in India.

No matter where they live,

baby animals can always find time to play.

Even on the scorching-hot rocks of India.

These are infant grey langur monkeys.

And they love a good run around.

They have lots of friends to play with

because they live in huge families.

There are 15 monkeys in this one.

Imagine the queue for the bathroom!

This is Dad.

And he's a very busy monkey.

He's got...erm...

lots of sitting down to do?!

Oh, don't strain yourself, Dad.

Looks like it's down to the mother to do the baby-sitting.

But as soon as they're big enough to get around on their own,

it's time for play!

Younger ones love to explore the rocks,

learning how to leap and bound...

..while the older boys prefer a bit of play fighting.

It's all just pretend, so no-one gets hurt.

But if they want to grow up and be the leader of their own family,

just like Dad, then they have to learn all the tricks.

Even a bit of tail pulling.

Or some acrobatics...

monkey style!

Now, that's what I call rough and tumble.

# Andy's Baby Animals Andy's Baby Animals! #

Our last stop is the North Pole.

The freezing-cold Arctic at the top of the world

may not seem like a very good place to play.

Unless you're a polar bear cub, of course.

There's no time for play today, though,

because these two are on a family outing with Mum.

She's hunting on the ice,

trying to find something for her new family to eat.

But it's hard keeping up when you've only got little legs.

Hm, perhaps it's time for a break.

Oh, maybe there's time to play, after all.

And this snow is just right for a good roll around.

It's important to be extra quiet

when hunting for seals under the ice.

I'm not sure the cubs have got the hang of keeping it down, though.

CUBS GROWL

Oh, here comes Mum.

Look out, guys.

I think you're going to get told off.

Time to stop larking around.

Or is it?

For a polar bear cub, playing is just too hard to resist.

Maybe Mum wants to join in, too.

These cubs will grow up to be the biggest bears in the world.

But for now, all they want to do is have fun.

How about a game of polar bear hide-and-seek?

Where have they gone?

I don't think you're going to catch any seals today, Mum.

Not with these two in tow.

Luckily, she can still feed her cubs.

All that playing is thirsty work. Time for a nice drink of milk.

Thanks, Mum! You're the best!

Whether you're a young monkey, a baby gorilla, a polar bear cub

or a meerkat pup, learning to play is very important.

See you next time!