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Down to Earth

Episode 2 of 6

Ben Garrod discovers how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land in many ways and explores the role of the spine in both cheetahs and snakes.

Evolutionary biologist and master skeleton builder Ben Garrod discovers how the skeleton has adapted for vertebrates to move on land in a remarkable number of ways. They can swing through the trees, slide on the forest floor, dig through dark subterranean worlds and run at speed across the savannahs. Ben explores the role of the spine in both cheetahs and snakes, shows how adaptations to the pentadactyl limb have helped gibbons and horses thrive and how one unique bone in the animal kingdom has been puzzling scientists for years.

29 minutes

Last on

Wed 19 Jul 2023 02:30

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Ben Garrod
Series Producer Aaron Paul
Executive Producer Jonny Keeling
Producer Sue Doody
Director Sue Doody

Broadcasts

Featured in...

Free interactive ebook: Can you guess an animal from its bones?

Test your skills by exploring five skeletons.

About presenter Ben Garrod

Ben is an evolutionary biologist who loves bones.

About the graphics: Showing a skeleton from the inside out

With creative director Neil Harris.