Spy in the Ocean

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Factual: Science & Nature: Nature & Environment

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. 

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean. Amazing hidden cameras give incredible perspectives on the ingenious creatures that call it home.

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Spy in the Ocean: Series 1: Deep Trouble

Deep Trouble

BBC One - Spy in the Ocean, Series 1, Deep Trouble

Spy creatures discover how animals survive when faced with the challenges of the ocean.

Spy creatures show the challenges of the ocean. From a baby whale in danger and marine iguanas battling storms, to a mantis shrimp’s knockout punch, the spies are never far from trouble.

Our spy creatures explore the challenges ocean life must overcome to survive. Spy Whale is joined by Spy Dolphin as they encounter a humpback whale calf in danger of drowning when competing males pursue its mother. After a remarkable effort from the calf’s parent, she not only manages to protect her baby from danger, they also gain a bodyguard!

On the island of South Georgia, a version of the first spy camera ever made makes a triumphant return. This new Bouldercam dodges eight tonnes of colliding blubber as male elephant seals fight off rivals. In the chaos, an elephant seal pup is separated from his mother, and his survival depends on finding her. Bouldercam is with him all the way as he fights off skuas and other dangers.

Spy Crab meets the infamous peacock mantis shrimp and soon finds itself on the receiving end of the strongest punch in nature, a knockout blow faster than a speeding bullet. 

In the Galapagos, Spy Seal does its best to keep up with a lonesome sea lion as it chases tuna, one of the fastest fish in the ocean. Not only must he catch this enormous fish alone, he must do it while fighting off hungry sharks.

In the hidden depths off the Californian coast, there are fish that have to be seen to be believed. Alien-like sarcastic fringehead use their outsized gaping mouths to ward off rivals. Spy Fringehead is soon caught in the brawl, but its open mouth reveals a camera, one that captures a fish-eye’s view of the threat it faces.

Off the coast of British Columbia, huge herring shoals face even greater trouble as they head to their spawning grounds. Spy Herring eavesdrops on the strange sounds produced by flatulent herring as they guide others to the spot. Our spy slips into the shoal as they attempt to dodge marauding sea lions and the diving scoter ducks that are after their eggs.

Life on the beach isn’t always the paradise it’s cracked up to be either. When hermit crabs gather to swap their shells, things can go very wrong, very quickly. When a crab loses its shell, it has to think on its feet. It comes up with an inventive solution – the lid of some suntan lotion provides a temporary refuge from predatory birds.

Our spies are not immune to trouble themselves. When Spy Pelican films the spectacular spawning of grunion fish as thousands emerge from the sea to spawn on the beach, it takes a catastrophic plunge into the surf, leaving Spy Crab to take over its filming duties. Spy Iguana is also in trouble when it tries to film iguanas gallantly battling the stormy sea. Despite its best efforts, it is soon washed away. When the same happens to Spy Octopus, all is not lost. It’s rescued from the storm surges by its old friend, the coconut octopus.

On their many adventures across the series, our spy creatures have travelled the globe to reveal the extraordinary intelligence, surprising emotions and complex social lives possessed by ocean life. On the way, they shed light on the mysteries of the deep as never before.

Spy in the Ocean: Series 1

BBC One

Go deep beneath the waves – on a spy mission to the depths of the ocean.

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