Ep 2. Dolphin / Fruit Bat
- TV-G
- January 8, 1994
- 24 min
Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake is a charming and educational children's show that brings the magic of puppetry and the wonder of the animal kingdom to life. In season 1 episode 2, the focus is on two very different creatures: dolphins and fruit bats.
The episode begins with Stinky the skunk introducing the topic of the day: dolphins! He and his co-host Jake the polar bear explain that dolphins are mammals that live in the ocean, and are known for being very smart and friendly. They also mention that dolphins use echolocation to navigate and communicate underwater.
To learn more about dolphins, Stinky and Jake head over to the aquarium, where they meet their guest for the day: a dolphin trainer named Sarah. Sarah tells the puppets all about the different types of dolphins, and gives them a behind-the-scenes look at how the dolphins are trained and cared for at the aquarium. Stinky and Jake are particularly delighted to see the dolphins performing tricks like jumping out of the water and giving high-fives with their flippers.
Next, it's time for the "Animal Match-Up" game, where Stinky and Jake have to guess which animal Sarah is describing based on a series of clues. The first animal is a fruit bat, which Stinky and Jake have never heard of before. Sarah explains that fruit bats are mammals that live in the tropics, and eat fruit and nectar instead of insects. She also shows them how fruit bats use their wings to fly, and how they sleep upside-down during the day.
After their trip to the aquarium, Stinky and Jake decide to visit the library to learn more about dolphins and fruit bats. They read books about the different types of dolphins, and even find a pop-up book that shows how dolphins use echolocation. They also discover that fruit bats are vital pollinators in their ecosystem, and learn about the different types of fruit bats that live all over the world.
Back in the studio, Stinky and Jake invite their "animal expert" guest onto the show: a dolphin named Kim. Kim tells the puppets all about what it's like to be a dolphin, and gives a lively demonstration of how dolphins communicate with each other using whistles and clicks. Stinky and Jake are thrilled to have a real dolphin on the show, and they learn a lot from Kim about what makes dolphins such fascinating creatures.
Finally, it's time for the "Furry, Scaly, or Feathered" game, where Stinky and Jake have to guess which of the three categories the animal Sarah describes belongs to. The last animal is a fruit bat, which Stinky and Jake are now familiar with thanks to their trip to the aquarium and the library. They correctly guess that fruit bats are furry mammals, and celebrate their victory with a silly dance.
Overall, Jim Henson's Animal Show with Stinky and Jake season 1 episode 2 is a fun and informative exploration of two amazing animals: dolphins and fruit bats. With the help of their guest experts and a lot of curiosity, Stinky and Jake teach young viewers all about the unique traits and behaviors of these creatures, and show just how endlessly fascinating the animal kingdom can be.