Main content

The power of one

Lockdown reminds us how social we are, yet many species favour a solitary life. Lucy Cooke explores how and why going solo can be a winning evolutionary strategy.

We humans are a supremely social species, but the coronavirus pandemic has forced many of us into solitary confinement.

It feels like an unnatural, regressive move, that goes against our collective nature. So why do some species embrace the power of one? And how do they make a success of a solo existence?

Lucy Cooke meets some of the animal kingdom鈥檚 biggest loners - from the Komodo Dragon, to the Okapi and the Black Rhino - to explore the lure of solitude.

Producer: Beth Eastwood

Picture: Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), forest giraffe or zebra giraffe, Credit: Jiri Hrebicek/Getty Images

Available now

27 minutes

Last on

Mon 15 Feb 2021 00:32GMT

Broadcasts

  • Mon 8 Feb 2021 20:32GMT
  • Mon 8 Feb 2021 21:32GMT
  • Tue 9 Feb 2021 04:32GMT
  • Tue 9 Feb 2021 11:32GMT
  • Tue 9 Feb 2021 18:32GMT
  • Mon 15 Feb 2021 00:32GMT

Space

The eclipses, spacecraft and astronauts changing our view of the Universe

The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

The Curious Cases of Rutherford and Fry

A pair of scientific sleuths answer your perplexing questions. Ask them anything!

Podcast