Watch Evolve

2008
1 Season
8.2 (101)

Evolve is a documentary series produced by the History Channel that was first aired in 2008. The show explores the history of various organisms and delves into how they have evolved over time to become the animals we know today. The show is hosted by the well-known paleontologist and evolutionary biologist, Dr. Neil Shubin, who takes the audience on a journey through the evolution of life on earth.

Each episode of the show focuses on a specific animal, plant or microbe and explores the biological processes that led to their evolution. The series covers over 30 organisms, including sharks, birds, bats, snakes and crocodiles, among others. Through stunning visuals, expert interviews, and vivid animations, the show vividly depicts the transformation of each creature and highlights their unique characteristics and adaptations.

Evolve is divided into three seasons, with each season consisting of eight episodes. The first season, "Gills to Lungs," focuses on the evolution of aquatic creatures that became the first vertebrates to leave the oceans and breathe air. The second season, "Predators," sheds light on the evolution of predators like sharks, birds of prey and crocodiles, which have developed exceptional hunting abilities. The third season, "Extreme Bodies," looks at organisms that have developed unique anatomical features, such as the ability to fly or glide, as well as the development of venom and poison as a means of self-defense.

The series takes an in-depth look at each creature's anatomy, physiology, genetics, and behavior to explain the evolutionary processes that led to the creation of each organism. For example, in the episode titled "Survivors," the show looks at the evolution of organisms that have survived mass extinctions, such as the horseshoe crab, which has remained relatively unchanged for 450 million years.

One of the standout episodes of the series is "Jaws," which examines the evolution of sharks. The episode looks at how sharks have remained virtually unchanged for millions of years and have developed unique adaptations to become top predators in the ocean. The show explores the incredible sense of smell and hearing that sharks possess, as well as their ability to detect electromagnetic fields produced by other animals.

Another fascinating episode is titled "Flight," which examines the evolution of birds and bats. The episode looks at how these creatures developed the ability to fly, which allowed them to escape danger and prey on insects, respectively. The show also reveals how both birds and bats have developed numerous adaptations that allow them to navigate through the air, such as the ability to change course in mid-flight.

Throughout the series, the show makes use of cutting-edge technology, including CGI, computer simulations, and microscopes, to bring the science to life. The stunning visuals allow viewers to witness the evolution of lifeforms in a way that was previously impossible.

One of the most impressive aspects of Evolve is the way it manages to make complex scientific concepts accessible to a general audience. The show takes great care to explain topics like genetics, natural selection, and adaptation in a way that anyone can understand. The series also features interviews with some of the world's leading experts in evolutionary biology, who provide insight into the latest research in the field.

In conclusion, Evolve is an informative and engaging series that explores the science of evolution in a way that is both accessible and visually stunning. The show provides an in-depth look at how organisms have adapted and evolved over millions of years and sheds light on some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just looking for an entertaining and educational show, Evolve is definitely worth a watch.

Evolve is a series that ran for 1 seasons (11 episodes) between July 29, 2008 and on History

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Seasons

11. Shape

December 20, 2008

Living organisms have entered into a battle for survival for hundreds of millions of years and the pressure to survive has resulted in ever changing shapes.

10. Venom

November 8, 2008

The deadliest natural weapon employed in the animal kingdom, venom has independently evolved in creatures as diverse as jellyfish, insects, snakes, and even mammals.

9. Speed

November 8, 2008

The ability to react and move can often mean the difference between life and death in the animal kingdom. Some animals have evolved into championship fliers, swimmers, and runners.

8. Size

November 8, 2008

Life has evolved into a multitude of sizes. Over the course of three billion years, life has taken on many forms--from an .02-micrometer-long bacteria to the 110-foot-long blue whale.

7. Communication

September 14, 2008

How has our ability to communicate defined us as a species? Sharing information with each other has allowed humans to rise to the top of the food chain and dominate our environments. But humans aren't the only species that can communicate. Organisms as simple as bacteria can communicate, a strategy that lets them cooperate to take down creatures millions of times their own size. Fish use pheromones to warn each other about predators and find mates. Chemicals are also an effective means of communicating on land, and they've allowed insects--some of nature's smallest and most unassuming animals--to become the most populous and prolific on earth. The ability to interact stretches back billions of years and has often been one of the primary factors in a species ability to evolve and survive.

6. Flight

September 2, 2008

Humans have always been fascinated with the one part of the world that we could not conquer - the sky. How did the earth's first flying creatures come to be? In this episode of Evolve we will examine the first vertebrate flyer, the pterosaur, which took to the air over 220 million years ago and eventually evolved to be the size of small airplanes. Scientists have long pondered how they, the largest flying creatures ever, were able to achieve such an astonishing feat. Scientists examine the fossil record and living birds to try and unlock how some species evolved to have the remarkable trait of flight.

5. Skin

August 26, 2008

It makes up 16% of your body weight, is the largest organ in the human body, allows birds to fly, mammals to nurse their young, and provides a lifelong defence against predators and parasites alike. What is it? Skin. From the delicate membranes that encased the earliest animals to the leathery hides that protected the dinosaurs, this episode looks at how skin has changed and adapted to virtually any challenge it has faced throughout history.

4. Sex

August 19, 2008

In the history of life on earth, sex may be the ultimate survival skill, because the bottom line is: reproduce or die. This episode looks at sex in its many forms, from sharks--among the first vertebrates to have intercourse--to dinosaurs that had to figure out how to join their giant bodies together to mate; from the stick insect (that mates non-stop for 10 straight weeks) to macaques monkeys (about once an hour)... and finally to humans. This driving force of life comes in many forms. How will sex evolve in the future? Are we evolving beyond sex? In fact, is a time coming when we will be able to seize control of our own evolution... not via sex at all, but through genetic engineering?

3. Jaws

August 12, 2008

It's one of the most important developments in the history of life. An adaptation that lets animals kill, butcher, and devour. There is perhaps no instrument more important to survival than a strong set of jaws. From the shark's rows of razor-sharp serrated teeth, the crocodile's overwhelmingly swift-snapping-trap, to the lion's shredding canines--all have evolved in response to the never-ending struggle between predator and prey. But just how did these ultimate killing weapons develop in the first place?

2. Guts

August 5, 2008

A look at the role in evolution the digestive system plays. Among those examined are the tyrannosaurus, snake, cow and humans.

1. Eyes

July 29, 2008

Learn how the ancestors of jellyfish might have been the first species to evolve to light-sensitive cells and other interesting facts in the premiere episode of "Evolve."

Description

Evolve is a series that ran for 1 seasons (11 episodes) between July 29, 2008 and on History

Where to Watch Evolve

Evolve is available for streaming on the History website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch Evolve on demand at Amazon Prime, Amazon and Fandango at Home.