Horrible Histories

Sign language

CBBC HD

Children's: Entertainment & Comedy

Children's: Factual

Factual: History

Historical sketch show, based on the successful books by Terry Deary.

Series 8

New: Horrible Histories

No Master Brand

CBBC Channel

Red Button One

Horrible Histories 

Horrible Histories: Bizarre Beasts

Jon Culshaw

Jessica Ransom

Mike Wozniak

John Eccleston

Matt Lamont

Lisa Mitchell

Steve Connelly

Richard Bradley

Melissa Hardinge

Simon Welton

Horrible Histories: Series 8: Bizarre Beasts

Bizarre Beasts

Horrible Histories - CBBC - BBC

Charles Darwin presents Yummy Planet, and some farting fish almost start a nuclear war!

The history of our relationship with animals - Charles Darwin presents Yummy Planet, Elizabeth I’s menagerie has some 'lion trouble', and farting fish almost start a nuclear war.

A look at some of the various ways in which, throughout history, humans have lived with, worked with, and interacted with animals - from the very first socialising with wolves thousands of years ago through to farting fish almost starting a nuclear war in more recent history!

We take a trip to Elizabeth I’s menagerie which was housed at the Tower of London and home to exotic animal gifts from foreign rulers, and included wolves, hyenas, bears, leopards and even lions. There were also some nice dogs but, well, leopards.

Sophie and Sebastian are on hand to advise both Alexander the Great and King Porus as to which animals they could use in battle to defeat their enemies, seemingly ignoring the fact that Alexander and Porus are actually fighting each other.

Elsewhere, the Australian army faces the unruly might of an emu invasion, Romans release an album in praise of their favourite pet (eels), and Charles Darwin hosts Yummy Planet, a look at some of the animals he actually ate whilst on his travels. Plus, we take a look at how humans have used animal by-products in different ways, including drinking milk and the Victorian penchant for 'coprolite' - jewellery made from fossilised dinosaur poo.

Horrible Histories: Series 8

CBBC

The BBC's multiplatform offering bringing the very best programmes to 6-12 year olds.

CBBC is the BBC's multiplatform offering for 6-12 year olds bringing the very best drama, entertainment and factual programmes to its young viewers.

Historical sketch show based on the successful series of books.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Horrible Histories

Series 8

Bizarre Beasts

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

CBBC HD

About CBBC