Ep 2. Hell on Earth

In the second episode of Animal Armageddon season 1, viewers are taken on a journey through a catastrophic event dubbed "Hell on Earth." The episode showcases a time when the earth's temperature spiked to unimaginable heights causing a wave of destruction never seen before.

The episode starts by introducing the audience to a world where theropods or meat-eating dinosaurs are the apex predator. It's the late Cretaceous period, approximately 68 million years ago. The earth is already going through changes due to plate tectonics. The landmass that is currently Africa is splitting from South America, and India is moving closer to Asia. The changes in the landmass have created new waterways, and the continents are becoming disconnected. The climate is also changing, and a long dry spell has caused a widespread drought that's causing wildfires and scorching temperatures.

As the episode continues, viewers follow the stories of various animals from different parts of the world. Each story is woven so that it depicts the impact of the changes in climate on the animals and how they cope with it. The stories take place in different ecosystems, deserts, forests, oceans, and even the arctic.

Viewers see the desperation of animals as they try to stay alive amidst the changing weather. The waters are heating up, causing coral reefs to die, leaving the animals that feed on the reefs without food. Rising temperatures also create hostile marine environments, and shellfish like clams are dying off. As a result, marine mammals such as dolphins and whales are left without food sources.

Animals in the jungle are also fighting for survival. Rainforests are drying up, and rivers that once provided water are flowing less frequently. Animals like jaguars and monkeys are forced to move to new areas, but the territories they migrate to are already occupied, which creates conflicts.

The Arctic is home to some of the most adaptable animals, but the summers are becoming too hot and the ice is melting much faster than before. This puts the lives of animals like polar bears, artic foxes, and walruses in danger. The melting ice also causes the sea level to rise, creating widespread flooding and habitat destruction.

As the episode progresses, viewers are introduced to animals that did not survive the heat. One of the most notable is the mosasaur. Mosasaurs, which belong to the same family as lizards, lived in the ocean during the time, and they were the largest predators in the water. The mosasaurs were believed to be cold-blooded, which made them rely on external heat to regulate their body temperature. When the heat became too extreme, most mosasaurs perished.

In the end, the episode showcases how the changing climate of the world during a very specific period in history has influenced evolution. The survivors of the "Hell on Earth" event went on to evolve into new species, leaving behind those who could not adapt. It's a reminder of how fragile life on earth can be and how we must work towards preserving it.

Overall, the second episode of Animal Armageddon season 1 provides an in-depth look at changes in the earth's climate, flora, and fauna during the late Cretaceous period. It's a thought-provoking episode that sheds light on the impact of catastrophic climate events on the animal kingdom, and how it influences evolution. The episode is well produced, with a thoughtful narrative that keeps the viewer engaged throughout.