17 Nature Documentaries Streaming on PBS
Attention all nature lovers! Immerse yourself in the diverse, breathtaking habitats of Planet Earth with our finest selection of documentaries on PBS. From the tropical rainforest to the waterhole to the ocean, there is plenty to marvel at and observe in the natural world. With captivating cinematography, witness up-close how species and organisms, spanning across all continents and terrains, coexist in their environments and are finding ways to adapt to the ever-increasing effects of climate change in these nature documentaries available on PBS Passport!
Discover more on our Climate, Nature, & Our Planet collection.
Evolution Earth
With rapidly changing temperatures, are animals managing to keep up with these sudden shifts in ecological conditions? It turns out they are – and in extraordinary ways too. From the Sahara Desert to the edges of Antarctica, discover the stories of resilience among animals living across all terrains, and learn how these creatures are showing us a pathway to a more sustainable future for Planet Earth.
NATURE: The Platypus Guardian
The bond between man and platypus has never looked stronger than in NATURE’s documentary, The Platypus Guardian. Tasmanian native Pete Walsh has always been captivated by the platypus, an enigmatic-like creature. Walsh, a photographer, is determined to protect platypuses and their natural environments from encroaching urban development. Throughout his mission to save the species, he befriends a female platypus named “Zoom” who lets Walsh into her hidden world.
NOVA: Saving the Right Whale
As of 2023, fewer than 350 North Atlantic right whales are believed to be alive. The threat of extinction for these whales is urgent – but teams of marine biologists and whale rescuers are committed to saving the critically endangered species. This documentary from NOVA explores the ongoing efforts that are underway to protect these sea giants and their future survival.
Great Yellowstone Thaw
There’s no winter like a Yellowstone winter. With temperatures that drop as low as minus 40° F, wildlife animals like grizzly bears, wolves, and beavers all have to adapt to these stark conditions. As the seasonal transition to spring takes place, one that involves an excess of meltwater flowing into rivers and lakes – a period better known as “the thaw” – these animals will be put up to the ultimate task: survival.
Add to Your WatchlistNATURE: Spy in the Ocean
Down in the ocean, beneath the accessible waters humans traverse, remains a treasure chest of hidden secrets. Fortunately, for us, there are several nifty spies to show us what actually goes on at these depths. In this popular miniseries from NATURE, witness countless new waterproof animatronic spy cameras – created by John Downer Productions – interact with different species, including octopuses, crabs, whales, and more!
Add to Your WatchlistNOVA: Nature's Fear Factor
When a war killed off all the top predators in Mozambique’s Gorongosa National Park, the surviving animals responded to the lack of threatening creatures in a peculiar way. To investigate this phenomenon more, NOVA joins a team of scientists as they reintroduce wild dogs to Gorongosa. Will reinstituting the park’s “landscape of fear” restore balance to an entire ecosystem?
The Green Planet
While it may seem like we know a lot about plants, the truth is that we know far less than we think. Presented and narrated by Sir David Attenborough, this five-part series gives you an intimate look at the hidden worlds of plants. With new motion control robotics and ultra-high-speed cameras, you will witness imaginative, inventive perspectives of how plants compete for food, light, space… and much, much more.
NOVA: Eagle Power
Soaring high above us in the sky, one cannot help but marvel at eagles. Yet what is it about these bird predators that makes them so special? NOVA brings us inside the nest of a new bald eagle family as we watch these baby chicks fight to survive.
NATURE: Canada Surviving the Wild
Canada, with its expansive forests, lakes, and rivers, is also home to some of the most incredible wildlife: polar bears, arctic foxes, coastal wolves, and Canada lynx roam the open lands. However, navigating the terrain of the Wild North is no easy feat. Competition to survive is pervasive – so who will actually thrive in the Canadian wild? Find out in this documentary from NATURE.
Life at the Waterhole
Waterholes are critical to the ebb and flow of the African ecosystem – yet a lot remains unknown as to how they support so much life. In an ambitious endeavor, BBC Studios Natural History Unit and PBS teamed up with Mwiba Wildlife Reserve and local communities in Tanzania to build the world’s first waterhole containing a built-in specialist camera rig. Experience never-before-seen footage and insights of warthogs, giraffes, monkeys, and cats as they all compete for water and position at the new waterhole.
Add Life at the Waterhole to Your W...Animal Babies: First Year on Earth
Hungry for cuteness overload? Look no further than this six-episode series documenting six baby animals as they experience their first years on Earth. Discover the ups and downs that come with surviving in the wild as these adorable animal infants grow and develop over the course of their first years.
Add to Your WatchlistPlanet California
When you think of California, Hollywood and its beaches may be a few of the first things that come to mind. However, the massive state is also home to an impressive array of biodiversity, consisting of rich, vast ecosystems. In this two-part series, celebrate California’s wildlife, from places like Yosemite and Death Valley and all the way to the plunging blue of the Pacific Ocean.
Add Planet California to Your Watch...Life on the Reef
How do humans and animals coexist on the Great Barrier Reef? With unpredictable cyclonic weather, devastating crown-of-thorns starfish infestations, and harmful human activities, life on the Great Barrier Reef is far from tranquil. This documentary, shot over the course of one year, will undoubtedly widen your perspective of one of Australia's natural icons.
Lion: The Rise and Fall of the Marsh Pride
We love to hear them roar. Step inside the lives of the Marsh Pride, the most filmed pride of lions on Earth. Witness an epic battle for survival as these lions confront adversities both within their pride and outside of it. Who will come out on top?
Colombia — Wild and Free
Filmed across the biodiverse lands and waters of Colombia, this series offers compelling footage of the country’s display of fauna and flora. Journey throughout all regions of Colombia to observe some of the most magnificent creatures in action, including jaguars, anacondas, pygmy marmosets, condors, humpback whales, and more!
Big Pacific
Take a deep dive into the underwater world of the Pacific Ocean, a body of water that covers one-third of the Earth’s surface and contains some of the most unique, impressive creatures. With scintillating cinematography, this documentary series will broaden your horizon and understanding of everything that goes on in the hidden depths of the ocean.
Earth's Natural Wonders: Surviving with Animals
Journey across the face of the Earth to some of the world’s Natural Wonders – Mount Everest, the Grand Canyon, and the Amazon Rainforest, to name a few. While these places may take your breath away, they also pose challenges for the people who live there. So what strategies have humans employed to survive in these extreme environments? Find out more in this series.
