0:00:12 > 0:00:16For animals, growing up is a real adventure.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Learning how to get by in life can be fun,
0:00:22 > 0:00:25but it can also prove testing.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Danger is never far away...
0:00:34 > 0:00:35and bad decisions
0:00:35 > 0:00:38could land you in a whole heap of trouble.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40ALLIGATOR HISSES
0:00:40 > 0:00:44However, with a little help from Mum and Dad,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47childhood can be an exciting time.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53As every day brings a new lesson for animals
0:00:53 > 0:00:55growing up wild.
0:01:06 > 0:01:10For some animals, growing up is a lonely business.
0:01:15 > 0:01:17They're abandoned as soon as they're born,
0:01:17 > 0:01:20relying entirely on their instincts to survive.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32From the very beginning of life, they're left to grow up alone
0:01:32 > 0:01:35and have to fend for themselves.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47But many animals do benefit from a little help from their parents.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54And in the early days of life,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57they're often completely reliant on them.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09In this Indian forest, a new life is exploring the world
0:02:09 > 0:02:11for the first time -
0:02:11 > 0:02:14a precious tiger cub.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25It's just ten days old.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28Most cubs will stay in their dens for the first six weeks,
0:02:28 > 0:02:31but this one is clearly adventurous.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Although the cub's eyes are open,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37it'll be a few weeks before it can see properly.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43It's completely helpless.
0:02:43 > 0:02:45CUB SCREECHES
0:02:50 > 0:02:55There are four new cubs in all, and they're quite lively.
0:03:02 > 0:03:03In these early days,
0:03:03 > 0:03:06they're dependent on their mother for everything,
0:03:06 > 0:03:11but right now, they're not making her life easy.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13CUB SCREECHES
0:03:13 > 0:03:18It's enough to test any parent's patience.
0:03:27 > 0:03:32Tiger cubs stay with their mother until they're about two years old.
0:03:37 > 0:03:41But typically, only half will make it to maturity.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51There's no doubt these youngsters face a bumpy journey to adulthood.
0:04:04 > 0:04:05The first steps of growing up
0:04:05 > 0:04:09are often some of the most precarious in any animal's life.
0:04:09 > 0:04:13For some, they are literally a leap of faith.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23It's spring in the forests of Eastern Europe,
0:04:23 > 0:04:25and, safe within the hollow of a tree,
0:04:25 > 0:04:30a female mandarin duck is about to teach her one-day-old ducklings
0:04:30 > 0:04:32how to leave their nest.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38She leads the way.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43DUCKLINGS CHIRP
0:04:43 > 0:04:45The ducklings are imprinted on their mother,
0:04:45 > 0:04:48which means they're pre-programmed to follow her.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53However, it's a long drop, and a few calls of encouragement are needed.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56DUCKLING CHIRPS
0:05:07 > 0:05:09Two have landed safely,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12but there are more left to jump.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24At least it's a soft landing.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Off we go!
0:05:30 > 0:05:31Deep breath.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Geronimo!
0:05:43 > 0:05:46The final pair take to the air.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00Made it.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07But their escapade isn't over.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10They must now reach water.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16The nearest pool is almost a mile away -
0:06:16 > 0:06:19quite a trek for the youngsters.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33By following their mother's lead,
0:06:33 > 0:06:36these ducklings have passed their first test.
0:06:37 > 0:06:43Now on water, they will spend their time learning what's good to eat
0:06:43 > 0:06:47and exploring their new watery world.
0:06:52 > 0:06:53Wherever your home is,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57taking your first big steps in life can be quite an undertaking.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05But for some, the challenge is far greater than others.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09Nevertheless, it's something they must get right.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22Here in Israel, those first steps don't get much more difficult.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Up here, your footing needs to be firm
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and a head for heights is essential.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Meet the ibex.
0:07:44 > 0:07:47They have made these treacherous cliffs their own.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54But for these newborn youngsters,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58this rocky wilderness makes for a nerve-racking nursery.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03They spend the first few days of their life at the highest level,
0:08:03 > 0:08:08relatively safe from predators who can't scale such heady heights.
0:08:14 > 0:08:16However, at only a few days old,
0:08:16 > 0:08:19they have to leave their playtime plateaus.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31For the first time, they must attempt to climb down
0:08:31 > 0:08:34these terrifying precipices to find food.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50It's a daunting prospect -
0:08:50 > 0:08:52certainly not for the faint-hearted.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59Their mother leads the way.
0:09:01 > 0:09:04The kids are understandably tentative.
0:09:21 > 0:09:25They must slowly pick their way down the sheer rock faces.
0:09:45 > 0:09:47Their mother shows them the best route.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50She has done it hundreds of times before,
0:09:50 > 0:09:53but for the kids, this is new territory.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01Gradually, they start to get the hang of it,
0:10:01 > 0:10:03but they need to focus,
0:10:03 > 0:10:05as one slip could be their last.
0:10:18 > 0:10:20Finally, they've made it.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27There's a whole new world at the lower levels
0:10:27 > 0:10:30with plenty of food and water.
0:10:32 > 0:10:36Here, the parents show off their balancing skills
0:10:36 > 0:10:38as they all browse together.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45But one kid has been left behind,
0:10:45 > 0:10:47and she's in trouble.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52A fox.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55And it's spotted the straggler.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17The young ibex runs as fast as it can back up the cliff
0:11:17 > 0:11:19but the fox is right on its heels.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21It'll be hoping for a quick kill.
0:11:39 > 0:11:41As the kid heads back up the cliff,
0:11:41 > 0:11:44the fox tries to gain the higher ground.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55But the kid has scrambled onto a rock face.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57It's so steep that only it could possibly stand there
0:11:57 > 0:11:59without toppling off.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20The fox has no choice but to give up.
0:12:20 > 0:12:24It doesn't stand a chance on this precipice.
0:12:39 > 0:12:42The lessons learned on this morning's descent
0:12:42 > 0:12:44have saved the kid's life,
0:12:44 > 0:12:47and despite still being so young,
0:12:47 > 0:12:52it has outwitted one of the canniest of predators.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05Conquering your terrain is a crucial part of growing up,
0:13:05 > 0:13:09but for some animals, it can also be a race against time.
0:13:18 > 0:13:22Here in the African Congo, a colony of skimmers,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25so called for their special feeding technique,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28have made these sandbanks their home.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39But it won't be forever, as before long, the waters here will rise,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42and they will have to move on.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52These young skimmers were born here and are only a few weeks old.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54SKIMMER CHIRPS
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Before the waters rise, they need to learn to fly
0:13:58 > 0:14:02and how to catch fish and they need to learn both skills quickly.
0:14:07 > 0:14:12They watch as the adults gracefully skim the water.
0:14:21 > 0:14:22An adult skimmer has a beak
0:14:22 > 0:14:26with the lower part longer than the upper.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32With this, they can slice through the water at ten metres a second.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42If their beak hits something, it will snap shut.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48It's a clever technique for catching fish.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04The problem for youngsters is that they have to wait
0:15:04 > 0:15:07for the lower part of their beak to completely grow.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11In the meantime, while the water is shallow
0:15:11 > 0:15:13and they have the sand to run on,
0:15:13 > 0:15:16they do their best to learn the skimming technique.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39It's not as easy as it looks,
0:15:39 > 0:15:43but they need to perfect the skill as it's vital to their survival.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50The clock is ticking.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Soon, all the sand they are using as a practice ground will be gone.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09THUNDER CRACKS
0:16:12 > 0:16:16The annual storms in the African Congo have arrived.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18Very soon, these nursery sand flats
0:16:18 > 0:16:21will be under several metres of water.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23The skimmers have to move out.
0:16:34 > 0:16:36With their home disappearing,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39the time has come for the young skimmers to take to the air
0:16:39 > 0:16:41with the rest of the colony.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Practice time is over.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03How well they've mastered the art of skimming
0:17:03 > 0:17:06will affect the future success of their adult life.
0:17:19 > 0:17:23The amount of time animals are with their parents varies greatly,
0:17:23 > 0:17:26and for some, childhood can be leisurely.
0:17:29 > 0:17:31They spend much of their time playing.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34It might only seem like a bit of fun
0:17:34 > 0:17:37but it's essential to a young animal's development.
0:17:38 > 0:17:43It helps with their strength, coordination and social skills.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55Playing is a crucial part of learning.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00And the games can be a rehearsal for adult life.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Six months later in India,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16and the tiger cubs are putting their play into practice
0:18:16 > 0:18:18and trying to hunt.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27They must closely follow their mother
0:18:27 > 0:18:30as she slowly creeps through the forest.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51It's all about stealth.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Patience and timing are crucial.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07The moment to pounce has to be exactly right.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28TIGER CUB GROWLS
0:19:28 > 0:19:32But one of the cubs just can't keep his excitement to himself.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35Mum isn't too impressed.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40She'll have to start all over again.
0:19:43 > 0:19:47The tiger cubs still have a lot to learn.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54Always paying attention to your parents
0:19:54 > 0:19:57and following their lead can sometimes be trying.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Summer in the Arctic,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08and the frozen surface of the ocean is beginning to disintegrate.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25These two polar bear cubs are six months old.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27It's the first time they've seen the ice break up,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30and they're about to get a swimming lesson.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48They're not too sure about making the plunge.
0:20:57 > 0:21:00For their mother, swimming is second nature,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04but the cubs still prefer to have ice beneath their feet
0:21:04 > 0:21:05whenever they can.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18Soon, it will be impossible to avoid the water,
0:21:18 > 0:21:22so swimming isn't extra-curricular, it's crucial.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35The cubs will stay with their mother for another two years -
0:21:35 > 0:21:39not until then will they be ready to leave her side.
0:21:56 > 0:22:00For some animals, learning from your parents can take years.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02Apart from humans,
0:22:02 > 0:22:06it is the orang-utan which has the longest of all primate childhoods.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15This female orang is 42 years old.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18Her daughter is six,
0:22:18 > 0:22:22and will stay with her for at least another two years.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29But then, there is much you must understand
0:22:29 > 0:22:32in the treetop world of Sumatra.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48She has to learn to collect ants and termites.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00She will need to identify at least 300 edible plants
0:23:00 > 0:23:04and avoid the poisonous ones.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18Judging when fruit is ripe is essential.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35The young orang must also be able to judge which branches
0:23:35 > 0:23:41can carry her weight and which insect nests are safe to raid.
0:23:41 > 0:23:44BUZZING
0:24:03 > 0:24:06Building up a guide to the foods of the rainforest
0:24:06 > 0:24:09is a long and complex process.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17But it's vital training for the future.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38When her education is complete,
0:24:38 > 0:24:41this young orang will leave her mother
0:24:41 > 0:24:44and eventually she will pass on this in-depth knowledge
0:24:44 > 0:24:46to her own offspring.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55It's clear that your mother's example
0:24:55 > 0:24:58has a huge impact on your chance of survival.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04In many cases, she is your sole teacher when growing up.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08However, there are times when following your mum
0:25:08 > 0:25:10can lead you into trouble.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21A fast-flowing river in Kenya,
0:25:21 > 0:25:24full of strong currents...
0:25:24 > 0:25:26as well as crocodiles.
0:25:35 > 0:25:37Despite the dangers,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40this herd of elephants has to get across.
0:25:49 > 0:25:53The matriarch of the group leads some youngsters into the river.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58She knows that to reach the other side,
0:25:58 > 0:26:01she has to head slightly upstream into the current.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18Watching from the shallows is a younger group.
0:26:20 > 0:26:25These small calves have mothers who are far less experienced.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40They watch the older matriarch reach the other side safely.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Then it's their turn to brave the river.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:26:59 > 0:27:02They are almost immediately in trouble,
0:27:02 > 0:27:04but in too deep to get back.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:27:15 > 0:27:20If the youngsters become separated, they will easily drown.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30ELEPHANT TRUMPETS
0:27:51 > 0:27:55One has been overcome, and is being swept downstream.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08The mothers try to keep hold of the young ones,
0:28:08 > 0:28:10but they can't contain all three.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13As they save one, the others get washed away.
0:28:27 > 0:28:30The currents are even too strong for the mothers,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33and they have no choice but to let their babies go.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04Finally, one baby manages to clamber out,
0:29:04 > 0:29:06but the other two are still struggling.
0:29:18 > 0:29:20The mothers come to help,
0:29:20 > 0:29:22but they have no way to lift them out.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42The babies are weak and terrified.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02Eventually, they manage to get out.
0:30:02 > 0:30:04It's a massive relief.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16What started as a lesson in life turned into a nightmare.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27Growing up can be hard, even with your parents there to guide you.
0:30:28 > 0:30:32Particularly when they start dishing out the tough love.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43This barren, icy landscape is Antarctica,
0:30:43 > 0:30:47one of the harshest places to grow up wild.
0:30:58 > 0:31:02PENGUINS BRAY
0:31:07 > 0:31:10Winter is only a few weeks away
0:31:10 > 0:31:14and young Adelie penguins need to quickly get stronger
0:31:14 > 0:31:16before the storms arrive.
0:31:24 > 0:31:26The chicks are only three weeks old.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Their downy coats aren't fully waterproof,
0:31:29 > 0:31:32so they cluster together for warmth.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47It's essential the young stay in creches like this
0:31:47 > 0:31:49as most of the adults have gone away.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53They have left their offspring on land
0:31:53 > 0:31:57as they go out to sea fishing, sometimes for days at a time.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16When the parents return,
0:32:16 > 0:32:19serving dinner becomes a competitive business.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25Both these youngsters are ravenously hungry,
0:32:25 > 0:32:29but before they can eat, they have to catch their mother.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43It's a demanding test for the siblings.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13Just staying on two feet can be a challenge.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23The race for supper is proving too hard for one of the chicks.
0:33:23 > 0:33:25It just can't keep up.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33Sadly, there will be no food for him today.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38The winner's reward is some tasty fish.
0:33:47 > 0:33:50It may seem cruel, but with life so harsh here,
0:33:50 > 0:33:53parents need to know which chick is stronger
0:33:53 > 0:33:55and more likely to survive childhood.
0:33:57 > 0:34:01The lessons dealt out by adults can be particularly tough,
0:34:01 > 0:34:04and sometimes they're not always from your own parents.
0:34:10 > 0:34:15These toque macaques in Sri Lanka live in large troops.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23It's a very complex social structure with a strict hierarchy.
0:34:27 > 0:34:29If they're to make it through childhood,
0:34:29 > 0:34:33youngsters must fit in, and discipline is fiercely maintained.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41All young macaques are low-ranking, and they have to quickly learn how
0:34:41 > 0:34:46to show respect through a variety of gestures and facial expressions.
0:34:55 > 0:34:59Adults don't hesitate to show who's in charge.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14This infant female is considered to be the lowest of the low,
0:35:14 > 0:35:16and she won't survive long
0:35:16 > 0:35:18if she doesn't learn the social conventions.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39The dominant male is the overall boss
0:35:39 > 0:35:43and he demands respect from everyone, no matter how young.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47He won't tolerate any sign of insubordination.
0:35:52 > 0:35:55If he looks another macaque in the eye,
0:35:55 > 0:35:58they have to express submission by chattering their teeth.
0:36:08 > 0:36:11The tiny female has caught his eye,
0:36:11 > 0:36:14but does she know what sound to make?
0:36:27 > 0:36:31If she gets it wrong, the punishment will be harsh.
0:36:35 > 0:36:38TEETH CHATTER
0:36:43 > 0:36:49She just about manages to chatter her teeth - and just in time.
0:36:53 > 0:36:57There'll be many more tests in this young macaque's life,
0:36:57 > 0:37:00but at least she's passed her first.
0:37:08 > 0:37:13Getting through the early stages of childhood can certainly be daunting.
0:37:15 > 0:37:20As animals get older, their chances of survival inevitably increase,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24but different issues have to be confronted.
0:37:26 > 0:37:31Just like humans, the teenage years can prove troublesome.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34It's a time when boundaries are tested
0:37:34 > 0:37:36and tempers can fray.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Mistakes are made.
0:37:49 > 0:37:51And some can be painful.
0:37:55 > 0:37:56Full of testosterone,
0:37:56 > 0:37:59young males all want to be the big guy.
0:37:59 > 0:38:05They aren't always ready for independence but act like they are.
0:38:06 > 0:38:10Being a teenager is never without its challenges.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26Here in the forests of Uganda
0:38:26 > 0:38:28is a family of gorillas.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Gorillas live in complex social groups
0:38:36 > 0:38:40which aren't always the easiest to grow up in.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54They usually form small groups with one dominant male silverback,
0:38:54 > 0:38:58several females and their offspring.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11This young teenage male is at a crossroads in his life.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15He enjoys the security of his family
0:39:15 > 0:39:18but within the group, his future is limited.
0:39:40 > 0:39:43The dominant silverback is in charge
0:39:43 > 0:39:47and only he is allowed to mate with the females in the group.
0:39:58 > 0:39:59Full of hormones,
0:39:59 > 0:40:03it's not easy for the adolescent gorilla.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13If he wants a family of his own,
0:40:13 > 0:40:16he will either have to leave the group to set up his own
0:40:16 > 0:40:19or overthrow the lead silverback.
0:40:21 > 0:40:24He's been trying prove his strength within the group.
0:40:26 > 0:40:30He spots a younger male and tries to assert his dominance.
0:40:43 > 0:40:46He places himself between the smaller male
0:40:46 > 0:40:49and the rest of the family to show who is boss.
0:41:01 > 0:41:05But taking on such small fry isn't enough to impress.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16To challenge the dominant silverback would be a whole different story.
0:41:19 > 0:41:23His only other option is to leave home.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28It's not an easy decision to make.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43In India, the tigers are also now teenagers,
0:41:43 > 0:41:46but they seem to be having more fun.
0:41:47 > 0:41:50Play is still a big part of their day,
0:41:50 > 0:41:54but the rough and tumble has turned into more aggressive play fighting.
0:41:56 > 0:41:59TIGERS GROWL
0:42:01 > 0:42:04The sparring is good practice for when they leave home
0:42:04 > 0:42:07and may need to fend off other tigers.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17For now, though, they keep their claws in.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24No hard feelings here.
0:42:24 > 0:42:28To be independent, they also need to learn to hunt their own prey,
0:42:28 > 0:42:31but this is proving more difficult.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43One of the males quietly creeps up on a deer.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51But he peaks too soon.
0:42:54 > 0:42:58His sister also misses her chance as the deer runs straight past her.
0:43:04 > 0:43:06They will just have to keep practising.
0:43:13 > 0:43:15Of course, not all animals leave home -
0:43:15 > 0:43:18some stay within their extended families.
0:43:20 > 0:43:22The size of the group can vary widely.
0:43:23 > 0:43:25Hippos, for example,
0:43:25 > 0:43:27can form small pods...
0:43:33 > 0:43:36..or come together in very large numbers.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44Many, like wolves, form groups or packs as a strategy for hunting
0:43:44 > 0:43:47and to give them safety in numbers.
0:43:52 > 0:43:56The animals within such communities like these gelada baboons
0:43:56 > 0:43:58are old enough to leave home,
0:43:58 > 0:44:01but the protection of their social group takes priority
0:44:01 > 0:44:02and they're destined to stay.
0:44:07 > 0:44:11But even within such groups there are individuals that are born
0:44:11 > 0:44:14to be different and are destined to leave their families.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26One of those can be found in the African desert.
0:44:31 > 0:44:34This little creature is a female naked mole rat.
0:44:43 > 0:44:46She has never ventured above ground before.
0:44:46 > 0:44:48She doesn't belong here.
0:44:53 > 0:44:56Night-time in the desert can be a dangerous place...
0:44:58 > 0:45:01..but tonight she is risking her life
0:45:01 > 0:45:03in an attempt to fulfil her destiny.
0:45:09 > 0:45:13She has left the safety of her family to go in search of a mate.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18But...with danger everywhere,
0:45:18 > 0:45:20will she even survive the night?
0:45:29 > 0:45:32Naked mole rats are one of the planet's strangest mammals.
0:45:34 > 0:45:37Their home is a network of specially built tunnels under the ground.
0:45:58 > 0:46:02They live in large communities with one dominant female and many
0:46:02 > 0:46:04so-called "workers".
0:46:04 > 0:46:07Only the dominant female will reproduce.
0:46:09 > 0:46:14However, occasionally there is a "chosen" offspring, a princess who
0:46:14 > 0:46:18will grow up pampered and not have to work.
0:46:18 > 0:46:23Instead, she reserves her energy for her big day when she will leave home
0:46:23 > 0:46:25to set up a brand-new colony.
0:46:28 > 0:46:31But alone in the desert, this princess won't survive for long.
0:46:33 > 0:46:35Her search to find a partner is urgent.
0:46:42 > 0:46:44There's an enticing smell in the air.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Finally, a seductive scent draws her down to safety.
0:47:06 > 0:47:08She's sniffed out a partner,
0:47:08 > 0:47:12he too is alone and eager to start a new family in his empty burrow.
0:47:25 > 0:47:29Two months later and the princess has become a queen.
0:47:31 > 0:47:33She has had her first litter of babies
0:47:33 > 0:47:35and is now ready to start ruling over
0:47:35 > 0:47:37a new dynasty of naked mole rats.
0:47:51 > 0:47:54Only certain chosen individual mole rats will cut loose
0:47:54 > 0:47:59from their communities to start new families, but with some creatures
0:47:59 > 0:48:03there can be a whole generation destined to leave home.
0:48:09 > 0:48:12One such species can also be found under the ground
0:48:12 > 0:48:15in the deserts of Arizona.
0:48:25 > 0:48:27For the first time for six years,
0:48:27 > 0:48:31a generation of honey ants has been born with wings.
0:48:39 > 0:48:43The rest of the colony are wingless and they are all female,
0:48:43 > 0:48:47but these winged offspring include female and male ants.
0:48:58 > 0:49:02When the time is right, their wings will offer them
0:49:02 > 0:49:03the chance to leave home.
0:49:07 > 0:49:08THUNDER RUMBLES
0:49:17 > 0:49:21This is what they were waiting for - the summer monsoon.
0:49:25 > 0:49:28These torrential downpours can produce several centimetres of rain
0:49:28 > 0:49:30in just a few hours.
0:49:44 > 0:49:49The rain will make the normally hard, dry ground, soft, and that is
0:49:49 > 0:49:52when the winged ants will be ready to make their own way in the world.
0:49:52 > 0:49:54THUNDER RUMBLES
0:50:03 > 0:50:07As the rains stop, the worker ants come out to prepare the nest hole,
0:50:07 > 0:50:09a launchpad for their special siblings.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22Their big moment has arrived.
0:50:22 > 0:50:25They come out into the light and get ready for takeoff.
0:50:35 > 0:50:37This is what they were born for.
0:50:44 > 0:50:46Hundreds of insects take to the air...
0:50:48 > 0:50:51..from this colony and from many others.
0:50:55 > 0:50:57They frenetically seek each other out.
0:50:59 > 0:51:01They need to mate as quickly as possible.
0:51:15 > 0:51:18Then, they will span out across the desert.
0:51:29 > 0:51:33Those that survive will get the chance to start their own colony.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45If you are destined to leave home and start your own family,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48knowing when to go isn't always an easy decision.
0:51:56 > 0:51:59The young male gorilla is spending more and more time alone.
0:52:06 > 0:52:09The rest of his troop have found a tasty feast of fungi.
0:52:15 > 0:52:19The dominant silverback always has priority and eats first.
0:52:22 > 0:52:25The children arrive and are allowed to share the fungi.
0:52:40 > 0:52:43But the young male is last in the pecking order -
0:52:43 > 0:52:45even the babies can feed before him.
0:52:55 > 0:52:57It's all a bit disheartening.
0:53:10 > 0:53:13To make matters worse, the silverback flaunts his right
0:53:13 > 0:53:15to mate in front of him.
0:53:22 > 0:53:26Is it time for the teenage gorilla to make his own way in the world?
0:53:37 > 0:53:40The family set off together into the forest.
0:53:46 > 0:53:49If the young male goes with them, he will never have a family of
0:53:49 > 0:53:53his own as he isn't strong enough to challenge the dominant silverback.
0:54:06 > 0:54:11He doesn't follow the family but sets off in another direction.
0:54:14 > 0:54:18Leaving home could spell years of hardship living alone,
0:54:18 > 0:54:20but at least it offers him the chance
0:54:20 > 0:54:24of one day finding his own group and fulfilling his ultimate aim -
0:54:24 > 0:54:26that of becoming a dominant silverback.
0:54:44 > 0:54:49The tiger cubs are fully grown and almost ready to leave home.
0:54:50 > 0:54:52One of the females is hunting alone.
0:55:06 > 0:55:09She has perfected her stealth technique.
0:55:43 > 0:55:48She knows it's all about timing and she has learned the art of patience.
0:56:07 > 0:56:09Success!
0:56:16 > 0:56:19It's only a fawn but it's a start.
0:56:27 > 0:56:29It's too small to share with her siblings
0:56:29 > 0:56:30and she makes that quite clear.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48After two years of living and learning together,
0:56:48 > 0:56:52these tigers no longer need their mother or each other.
0:56:55 > 0:56:59They have already begun to carve out their own territories and are ready
0:56:59 > 0:57:01to live life alone.
0:57:14 > 0:57:17Growing up wild is not an easy business.
0:57:22 > 0:57:25There are many trials and tribulations along the way.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31It can be a long hard journey...
0:57:32 > 0:57:35..even with the support of your parents.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41But childhood is also exciting as animals discover their world
0:57:41 > 0:57:43for the first time.
0:57:48 > 0:57:50And for those who do make the grade,
0:57:50 > 0:57:55a new adventure is just beginning as they start their adult life.