The Most Extreme

The Most Extreme is a documentary television series on the American cable television network Animal Planet. It first aired on July 7, 2002. Each episode focuses on a specific animal feature, such as strength, speed, behavior, anatomy, or diet, and examines and ranks ten animals that portray extreme or unusual examples of that quality. The rankings serve only to give a broad depiction; a scientifically rigorous procedure is not employed to quantify them. For instance, the episode that focuses on the greatest jumpers suggests that the klipspringer can jump 7.6 m (25 ft) high. However, the figure in meters is more likely to be the correct figure for feet, which should be 2.3 m (7.5 ft).

The Most Extreme
Title card
GenreNature documentary, edutainment
Developed byShelby Wilson
Narrated byAdam Harrington
Country of originNew Zealand
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons5
No. of episodes77
Production
ProducerIan McGee
Running time46 minutes
Production companyNHNZ Ltd
Release
Original networkAnimal Planet
First shown inUnited States
Original releaseJuly 7, 2002 (2002-07-07) 
July 3, 2007 (2007-07-03)
External links
Website

Along with each animal on the countdown, each episode presents a computer-animated segment which compares the animal's ability with something equivalent in humans, followed by an interview segment with people who share some common trait. For example, in "Super Sharks", the animal ranked #1 was the hammerhead shark, for its extreme senses of vision and smell, along with its ability to sense voltages as small as a half-billionth of a volt. This was then compared with a team of human hackers, including StankDawg, who were war-driving around a neighborhood and looking for faint wireless signals. Old, often public domain, cartoons, movie clips and trailers are often included.

The series was made in New Zealand by a small production team at NHNZ. The termite has had the most #1 ratings, but has only been in 12% of the top 10s.

The series airs in Australia on Channel Seven (first run) and on subscription channel Animal Planet (replays).

Episodes

"Earth is a planet of extremes. Extreme places, and extreme animals. But some animals are more extreme than others. Join us as we count down to find the most unusual, the most extraordinary, The Most Extreme."

Opening of the show.

The show was narrated by Adam J. Harrington. On Animal Planet, the episodes were also announced by Simon Arnstein.

Season 1

Parasitic worms, like this tapeworm, are among the most horrific animals of the world, according to episode 9.
# Original airdate Title Overview Animal that was Number 1
17 July 2002JumpersThe fastest, highest and best jumpers.Flea
27 July 2002GluttonsThe greediest eaters in the world.Caterpillar
314 July 2002SpeedThe fastest animals on land, air and water.Tiger beetle
421 July 2002BirthExtreme reproduction in number of young, size and other factors.Tapeworm
528 July 2002CheatsThe ways animals trick one another.Cuckoo
63 August 2002SurvivorsThe animals who best survive extreme conditions.Water bear
711 August 2002FightersWarriors of the animal kingdom.Ant
818 August 2002BuildersThe animal kingdom's most innovative construction engineers.Termite
925 August 2002HorrorsThe animals that most inspire terror in human beings.Parasitic worm
103 September 2002StrengthProportionally, the strongest animals in the world.Rhinoceros beetle
1111 October 2002BitersThe deadliest, most prolific and most extreme bites.Cookie-cutter shark
123 November 2002SmartsGeniuses in the animal kingdom.Parrot
1310 November 2002LoversMost extreme courtship rituals.Spider

Season 2

According to episode 17, the mimic octopus is one of nature's best masters of disguise. To discourage its predators, it mimics the species that prey on them.[1]
# Original airdate Title Overview Animal that was Number 1
1411 May 2003MomsMothers with the heaviest, hardest or most unusual jobs on the planet.Sea louse
1515 June 2003DadsFathers in the wild can go to extremes to take care of their young.Seahorse
1622 June 2003VenomAnimals with the most lethal venomous bites or stings.Box jellyfish
1729 June 2003DisguiseThese animals are experts at pretending to be what they are not.Mimic octopus
1813 July 2003SwarmsHordes in the animal kingdom numbering millions and even billions of individuals.Argentine ant
197 September 2003Body PartsAnimals with relatively large body parts.Giraffe
2014 September 2003PredatorsThe most efficient hunters come in many sizes.Shrew
2121 September 2003StinkersThe worst-smelling animals, including one with a stench that kills.Skunk
2228 September 2003Super SensesThe world's best at keeping up with their environments.Shark
2323 November 2003EatersAnimals with the most unusual menus.Vulture
2430 November 2003DaredevilsTop stuntmen of the natural kingdom.Barnacle goose
257 December 2003DefendersThe best and most unusual self-protectors.Bee
2621 December 2003OdditiesStrange animals and their human equivalents. Deep-sea anglerfish

Season 3

One of the members of the world's most invasive animal, according to episode 41, the Botany Bay cockroach makes its home in Australia.
# Original airdate Title Overview Animal that was Number 1
273 August 2004Gross-OutsThe most disgusting behavior in the wild.Fly
2810 August 2004Home DesignersThe most extreme, unusual and innovative animal architects.Termite
297 September 2004Tough BabiesThe strongest babies in the animal kingdom, with human comparisons.Sand tiger shark
3014 September 2004Wild PartiersHow the most extreme partiers in the wild compare to human parties.Christmas Island red crab
3121 September 2004Monster MythsThe reality behind some of the most feared animals in the world.Wolf
-25 September 2004The Best of the BestRetroactive examination of Number 1s from earlier episodes, with a countdown to the most extreme among them.Cookie-cutter shark (from Biters)
3212 October 2004Killer CatsThe most ferocious felines in the world.House cat
3319 October 2004Battle of the SexesMales and females of animals in which the two sexes have very little in common with one another and are not always good for each other's health.Whiptail lizard
3423 November 2004Big MouthsProportionally, the 10 largest mouths in the world.Argentine horned frog
3530 November 2004Deadly SnakesThe most venomous, dangerous and prolific killer snakes.Cobra
3614 December 2004KillersThe animals with the highest human kill counts.Mosquito
378 February 2005BloodsuckersVampires in the animal kingdom.Tick
3815 February 2005Super SharksThe "highest tech" sharks in the ocean.Hammerhead shark
3922 February 2005PoisonThe deadliest chemical defenses.Golden poison frog
401 March 2005Super DogsThe 10 dog breeds that have evolved the farthest from their wolf ancestor.Chihuahua
418 March 2005Global ConquerorsThe most invasive animal species.Cockroach
4215 March 2005Outrageous FlirtsThe unusual ways that animals attract one another.Elephant
4327 April 2005AthletesThe most athletic animals and their human equivalents.Arctic tern
444 May 2005Odd CouplesWhen two kinds unite: unexpected animal partnerships.Greenland shark/Ommatokoita
4525 May 2005MoversThe animals that move the best with the fewest limbs for movement.Scallop
461 June 2005TroublemakersThe animals that cause the most trouble for humans just by doing what they do.Termite

Season 4

In spite of persistent myths, as discussed in episode 58, lemmings are not suicidal.[2]
# Original airdate Title Overview Animal that was Number 1
4725 October 2005Hissy FitsThe worst temper tantrums in the animal world.Elephant
481 November 2005Living DeadNot actual zombies, these extreme animals can play dead or, when dormant, can appear to come back from the dead.Water bear
498 November 2005DiversThe animals that can hold their breaths the longest or dive the relative deepest.Whale
5029 November 2005DietersSome animals can eat a lot without gaining weight, while others can go for long times between meals.Tick
5124 January 2006LoudmouthsThe world's loudest animals.Pistol shrimp
522 February 2006AppendagesThe most unusual animal attachments.Anglerfish
537 March 2006TransformersTen transformers capable of altering themselves in extreme ways.Ribeiroia
5414 March 2006Fashion DisastersAnimals whose appearances can put them in danger.Deer
5521 March 2006City SlickersAnimals best adapted to life in human urban environments.Macaque
5628 March 2006WorkaholicsThe hardest-working animals in the natural world.Honey bee
5725 April 2006Slime BallsThe animals who have found the most or most innovative ways to use slime.Banana slug
582 May 2006Animal MythsThe most misunderstood animals.Lemming
596 June 2006GourmetsAnimals that put time and effort into their food preparation.Honey bee
6013 June 2006DiggersMost extreme cavity makers.Termite
6120 June 2006Weird WeaponsThe strangest ways animals defend themselves or attack.Electric eel
6226 September 2006CleanersNature's most unusual neat-freaks.Japanese macaque
633 October 2006PiratesAnimals who act like pirates, taking from others or hunting for treasure.Amazon ant
6410 October 2006GardenersThe unusual ways that animals impact vegetable growth.Lemon ant
6517 October 2006FreeloadersOpportunistic animals that gain benefits by associating with others.Tapeworm
6624 October 2006Awesome AncestorsPrehistoric animals larger than their modern descendants/relatives.Megatherium

Season 5

# Original airdate Title Overview Animal that was Number 1
6724 April 2007InventorsInnovative tools nature-built right into an animal's body.Wood frog
681 May 2007Night LightsThe brightest animals in the wild.Deep-sea anglerfish
698 May 2007LeadersAnimals with extreme numbers of followers.Termite
7015 May 2007MedicsThe unusual ways some animals self-treat themselves.Axolotl
7122 May 2007Freaky FliersAnimals with unusual ways of moving through the air.Spider
725 June 2007BodysnatchersAnimals that take over the bodies of others.Toxoplasma
7312 June 2007GadgetsThe animals which create/use the most tools.Chimpanzee
7419 June 2007PsychicsAnimals that seem to predict the future.Ladybird beetle
7526 June 2007Dirty JobsThe "jobs" of animals that are the most revolting.Dung beetle
763 July 2007Crazy CollectorsThe most obsessive hoarders in the wild.Pack rat

References

  1. Roach, John (20 September 2001). "Newfound Octopus Impersonates Fish, Snakes". National Geographic News. National Geographic. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
  2. Woodford, Riley. "Lemming Suicide Myth Disney Film Faked Bogus Behavior". Alaska Fish & Wildlife News. Alaska Department of Fish and Game. Retrieved 26 September 2011.
General references
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.