{"id":13028,"date":"2024-12-17T05:35:47","date_gmt":"2024-12-17T12:35:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/?p=13028"},"modified":"2025-01-14T15:43:31","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T22:43:31","slug":"the-secret-lives-of-animals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/2024\/the-secret-lives-of-animals\/","title":{"rendered":"The Secret Lives of Animals * Compelling Docu-Series Observing Nature\u2019s Most Interesting Critters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13033 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Apple_TV_The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_key_art_graphic_header_4_1_show_home.jpg.large_.jpg?resize=207%2C60&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"207\" height=\"60\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Apple_TV_The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_key_art_graphic_header_4_1_show_home.jpg.large_.jpg?resize=300%2C87&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Apple_TV_The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_key_art_graphic_header_4_1_show_home.jpg.large_.jpg?resize=1024%2C298&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Apple_TV_The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_key_art_graphic_header_4_1_show_home.jpg.large_.jpg?resize=768%2C224&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Apple_TV_The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_key_art_graphic_header_4_1_show_home.jpg.large_.jpg?w=1182&amp;ssl=1 1182w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 207px) 100vw, 207px\" \/>Narrated by SAG Award winner Hugh Bonneville, the series highlights 77 unique species in 24 countries over three years, revealing stunning, never-before-seen animal behaviors and highlighting the remarkable intelligence of the natural world. Filmed over three years, every episode will feature a kaleidoscope of extraordinary animal intelligence that will inspire and delight family audiences.<\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ruhi K. comments, \u201c<em>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>is a compelling docu-series that observes nature\u2019s most interesting creatures. It takes a deep dive into the most astonishing mannerisms of animals, complete with powerful narration, a sensational soundtrack, and wildlife cinematography of the highest quality.\u201d See her full review below.<\/p>\n<p>The Secret Lives of Animals<br \/>\nBy Ruhi K., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, Age 15<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0ke98OHvjEo?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>is a compelling docu-series that observes nature\u2019s most interesting creatures. It takes a deep dive into the most astonishing mannerisms of animals, complete with powerful narration, a sensational soundtrack, and wildlife cinematography of the highest quality.<\/p>\n<p><span class=\"embed-youtube\" style=\"text-align:center; display: block;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"youtube-player\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/c8v2K4kCTRs?version=3&#038;rel=1&#038;showsearch=0&#038;showinfo=1&#038;iv_load_policy=1&#038;fs=1&#038;hl=en-US&#038;autohide=2&#038;wmode=transparent\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" style=\"border:0;\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts allow-same-origin allow-popups allow-presentation allow-popups-to-escape-sandbox\"><\/iframe><\/span><\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13034 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010501.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large.jpg?resize=227%2C128&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010501.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010501.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010501.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010501.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px\" \/>The 10-part docu-series follows 77 different animals in 24 countries with nature\u2019s rarest qualities, allowing viewers a close-up look at their interactions and their natural habitats. It is chronologically ordered to follow the stages of life, beginning with \u201cLeaving Home\u201d and ending with \u201cGrowing Old.\u201d At the end of every episode is a special feature, including behind-the-scenes footage of the wildlife photographers in action. <em>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>is narrated by SAG award winner Hugh Bonneville, who viewers may recognize from his roles in <em>Paddington <\/em>and <em>Downton Abbey, <\/em>and run by showrunner Matt Brandon (<em>Planet Earth III)<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-13030\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010202.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=224%2C126&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010202.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010202.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010202.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010202.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/>The cinematography of <em>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>is mind-blowing. Produced for Apple TV+ by BBC Studios Natural History Unit, it features bold shots of raging rivers, and contrasting, calmer ones capturing the very moment a raindrop falls from a leaf. The behind-the-scenes features show us just how careful the photographers have to be to avoid startling the animals while filming, in order to capture the most authentic footage possible. There is also a significant amount of risk-taking that certain shots demand \u2014 for example, the photographers during the \u201cLeaving Home\u201d stage had to approach Victoria Falls, the largest waterfall on the planet, while standing in a boat. While they were required to get dangerously close to the edge, the risk definitely paid off, because what they captured is truly stunning.<\/p>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-13032 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010701.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=227%2C128&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"227\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010701.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010701.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010701.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_010701.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 227px) 100vw, 227px\" \/>The angles are varied, and the ways in which the cameras move, such as when they follow the animals on a chase or shoot upwards from a burrow, help build the drama in moments of peak excitement. Instrumentals alternate between peaceful melodies and strong bursts of music, and are combined with incredibly moving narration that works with the viewer\u2019s increasing excitement to create a true masterpiece. I found myself honestly appreciating the treasures nature hides in a way I never have before.<\/p>\n<p><em><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignleft wp-image-13029\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_011001.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=224%2C126&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"\" width=\"224\" height=\"126\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_011001.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=300%2C169&amp;ssl=1 300w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_011001.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&amp;ssl=1 1024w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_011001.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?resize=768%2C432&amp;ssl=1 768w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/The_Secret_Lives_of_Animals_Photo_011001.jpg.photo_modal_show_home_large-Copy.jpg?w=1500&amp;ssl=1 1500w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 224px) 100vw, 224px\" \/>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>highlights the intelligence of multiple different species, while illustrating that they are not as different from us, or each other, as we think. For example, the predator-prey cycle shows our collective goal to survive and avoid danger, and featured animals are also observed making friends and raising families, much as humans do. No matter what extravagant or distinguishing qualities they may have (such as fish that can fly!), all animals are united by the desire to survive.<\/p>\n<p>I give <em>The Secret Lives of Animals <\/em>5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. The series comes to Apple TV+ on December 18, 2024.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Narrated by SAG Award winner Hugh Bonneville, the series highlights 77 unique species in 24 countries over three years, revealing stunning, never-before-seen animal behaviors and highlighting the remarkable intelligence of the natural world. Filmed over three years, every episode will feature a kaleidoscope of extraordinary animal intelligence that will inspire and delight family audiences.  <\/p>\n<p>KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Ruhi K. comments, \u201cThe Secret Lives of Animals is a compelling docu-series that observes nature\u2019s most interesting creatures. It takes a deep dive into the most astonishing mannerisms of animals, complete with powerful narration, a sensational soundtrack, and wildlife cinematography of the highest quality.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[4,355],"tags":[6883,8547,1783,8541,8540,8544,8542,8545,1166,8548,3129,8543,8546,8539,2077],"class_list":["post-13028","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-tv","category-tv-series","tag-appletv","tag-bbcstudios","tag-by-kids-for-kids","tag-cinematography","tag-docu-series","tag-downton-abbey","tag-hughbonneville","tag-mattbrandon","tag-movie-reviews","tag-naturalhistory","tag-nature","tag-paddington","tag-planetearthiii","tag-thesecretlivesofanimals","tag-wildlife"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/paS5I2-3o8","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13028","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13028"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13028\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13035,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13028\/revisions\/13035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13028"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13028"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.kidsfirst.org\/kidsfirstnews\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13028"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}