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Click on a film title to see more |
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Adaptations
of the American Cacti This introduction to adaptation in the plant world demonstrates how cacti survive in the harsh desert environment of the American southwest. |
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Ancient
Forests This beautifully photographed documentary explores the natural history and the complex ecosystem of the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. |
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Aspects
of Animal Behavior Series These 30 short films, produced by Robert Dickson and Prof. George Bartholomew for the Office of Instructional Development at UCLA, illustrate the behavior and anatomical adaptations of a wide variety of animals. |
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The
Baboon Social Life Series A classic trilogy of films, all shot in Kenya, showing many facets of baboon behavior only observable in the wild. |
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Bred
for the Furrow This three-part video shows that draft animals remain a viable alternative to tractor-powered farming. |
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Chimpanzee
Grooming as Social Custom This fascinating video illustrates a variety of chimpanzee behavioral patterns that occur during individual and social grooming. These patterns include: self-scratch, self-groom, social groom, grooming hand-clasp, and social scratch. |
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The
Chinampas This important documentary examines an ecologically sustainable system of agriculture that has flourished in Mexico for some 2,000 years. |
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The
Endangered Animals Series These three videos introduce intermediate and junior high school students to three of the most appealing of all endangered animal species. |
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The
Harris' Hawk: A Return to the River This outstanding documentary traces the reintroduction to the California wilderness of the Harris' hawk, a magnificent bird that became extinct in the state in the 1950s owing to the destruction of its natural desert habitat along the Colorado River bordering California and Arizona. |
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The Naturalist
This sensitive and inspiring documentary profiles one of America's greatest living naturalists and woodsmen, Kent Bonar, who is often called the "John Muir of the Ozarks." |
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On
the Edge: Nature's Last Stand for Coast Redwoods This beautifully photographed and highly informative documentary illustrates the 65-million-year natural history of the coastal redwood, the earth's largest living thing. |
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Polar
Ecology: Predator and Prey This classic, still unsurpassed documentary illustrates the interaction of a wide variety of animals in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. |
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The Whales
of Alaska's Inside Passage This beautifully photographed and thought-provoking video provides rare views of the lives of Alaskan whales and examines the scientific research that is attempting to learn more about them and their critical but fragile habitat between British Columbia and Glacier Bay. |
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Wild
California Introduces some of the wildlife and natural habitats found on and off the Pacific Coast, from elephant seals on the Farallon Islands to the fascinating ecology of beach wrack. Includes sections on the Farallon Islands, sea meadows, between the tides, beach wrack, and a salt marsh. |
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Adaptations of the American Cacti |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: UCLA Instructional Media Production |
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An excellent film that presents an important topic for biology students. --
Science Books & Films  American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science Film Festival honoree American Film Festival finalist |
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Ancient Forests |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Fortefilms This beautifully photographed documentary explores the natural history and the complex
ecosystem of the old-growth forests of the Pacific Northwest. These ancient forests
once stretched through Washington, Oregon, and California, comprising an ecosystem
of greater biomass than any other on earth. For 50 million years these magnificent
forests have endured threats of pestilence, drought, and flood. They survived, changed,
and grew back. Now, however, they are on the brink of extinction. The film chronicles
the delicate play of nature's checks and balances, exemplified in myriad life forms
each giving and receiving in an unending cycle of life and death. The balance and
interdependence of the countless organisms in the forest, both living and dead, are
examined in fascinating detail. Today some 90% of these old-growth forests have fallen
to logging, and the film demonstrates how logging irreversibly destroys the precarious
balance of the forest, impoverishes the soil, and leads to the destruction of innumerable
species of plants and animals, many of which may hold answers to important scientific
questions. Ancient Forests reminds us of what we stand to lose if we
allow our old-growth forests to disappear. It will provoke discussion and reflection
in a wide range of classes in environmental studies, ecology, and natural resource
management. It was produced by John Forte. |
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Aspects of Animal Behavior Series |
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These titles are no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: UCLA Instructional Media Production These short films, produced by Robert Dickson and Prof. George Bartholomew for the
Office of Instructional Development at UCLA, illustrate the behavior and anatomical
adaptations of a variety of animals. With their concise brevity and live-action,
slow-motion, and x-ray cinematography, the films are admirably suited to accompany
lecture material; they are also invaluable for making visible to students important
behavioral concepts and adaptive functions. |
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Wildlife Film Festival Awards American Assoc. for the Advancement of Science Film Festival honorees Animal Behavior Society Film Festival honorees |
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The Acorn Woodpecker The California Least Tern Feeding and Defense in Arachnids Feeding and Swimming Behavior of the Antarctic Krill
Feeding Behavior of Aquatic Carnivorous Turtles Feeding Behavior of Burton's Pygopodid Food Handling in Kangaroo Rats The Fringe-Toed Lizards Hunting Behavior of the Aplomado Falcon Jackson's Chameleon: Locomotion and Prey Capture
Kingsnake Predation on Rattlesnakes Locomotion of Four-Footed Animals The Lungless Salamanders Mechanics of Flight in Flying Foxes Metabolism and Activity of Lizards Night of the Spadefoot Phalarope Feeding Behavior Pocket Gopher: Adaptations for Living Underground
Predatory Behavior of Snakes Predatory Behavior of the Grasshopper Mouse Prey Capture by Terrestrial Toads and Frogs Reproductive and Social Behavior of Belding's Ground Squirrel
Respiratory Adaptations of Aquatic Insects Snake Locomotion The Structure and Physiology of the Avian Egg Tail Loss in Lizards Underwater Flight of the Tufted Puffin A Waterproof Arboreal Frog The Western American Crow World's Largest Nest: The Sociable Weaverbird |
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The Baboon Social Life Series |
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| A classic trilogy of films, all shot in Kenya, showing many facets of baboon behavior
only observable in the wild. By Irven DeVore and S.L. Washburn, UC Berkeley. Save More Than 10% Special Series Price: video $525 |
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Among the most useful and informative of all pictures taken of monkeys in a free and natural environment. -- Prof. Harry F. Harlow American Film Festival Blue Ribbon Edinburgh Film Festival honoree |
| Baboon Behavior Examines the troop - the baboon's highly integrated social unit - and shows factors that foster social cohesion between its members. 31 min. Color 1961 Catalog #37366 Sale: video $195, Rental: $50 Baboon Ecology Illustrates the adaptation of baboons to the grasslands of East Africa. 21 min. Color 1962 Catalog #37367 Sale: video $195, Rental: $50 Baboon Social Organization Analyzes baboon troop interdependence and its close relation to baboon ecology. 17 min. Color 1963 Catalog #37368 Sale: video $195, Rental: $50 |
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Bred for the Furrow |
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| This three-part video shows that draft animals remain a viable alternative to tractor-powered
farming. It covers the use of draft oxen, horses, mules, hinnies, and donkeys. Part
One explains why draft animals are still used worldwide and shows the fitting and
care of the harness and yoke. Part Two demonstrates how to evaluate draft animals
and conduct a basic physical examination. Part Three examines the selection, fitting,
and maintenance of harnesses, yokes, and other equipment. It also shows basic precautions
that will prevent injuries to workstock. Produced by Div. of Information Technology,
UC Davis, for William Chancellor, Prof. of Agricultural Engineering. 37 min. Color 1993 Catalog #38231 Sale: video $125, Rental: video $50 |
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Gold Award, San Mateo (Calif.) County Fair "Best Documentary Video," Solano (Calif.) County Fair |
| Chimpanzee Grooming as Social Custom | |
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This title is no longer distributed by UC Extension. For distribution information, contact: Linda Marchant This fascinating video illustrates a variety of chimpanzee behavioral patterns that occur during individual and social grooming. These patterns include: self-scratch, self-groom, social groom, grooming hand-clasp, and social scratch. The first three patterns are chimpanzee universals, whereas the grooming hand-clasp is observed in some but not all chimpanzee communities, and the final pattern, social scratch, appears to be unique to the M-group chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains National Park, Tanzania. The video demonstrates that social scratch is a social custom and is a new addition to the growing list of cultural patterns attributed to the chimpanzee. Almost all adult members of this chimpanzee community do social scratch. However, no behavioral equivalent to social scratch has been reported for other long-studied chimpanzee populations. For example, after more than 40 years of observation, social scratch has not been noted at Gombe National Park, located only 170 km. north of Mahale. Behavioral variations such as social scratch further our understanding of cultural primatology. This enables anthropologists to seek the origins of culture as an evolutionarily adaptive strategy shared by nonhuman primates. This much-lauded documentary is essential viewing in introductory social
and cultural anthropology classes or in any course dealing with the behavioral
variability of our closest relative, the chimpanzee. It was produced by
Linda F. Marchant, Prof. of Biological Anthropology, Miami Univ. |
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 "This attractive video shows clearly that humans have not cornered the market on culture. The fact that chimpanzees also are cultural creatures, as convincingly documented here, raises many stimulating questions for classroom discussion in anthropology, sociology, and biology courses. Highly recommended!" -- John Alcock, Regents' Prof. of Biology, Arizona State Univ., author of Animal Behavior "A lot of material and potential for discussion are encapsulated in
this nine-minute video. The level of language is suitable for senior high
school students to learn about chimpanzees as a species, for college undergraduates
in anthropology to learn about the development of tool use and the role
of chimpanzees as models in hominid evolution, and for more senior students
to use as a base for discussion of the nature of culture. As a short piece,
it can effectively be incorporated into a class discussion period and
should provide a solid basis for learning at several levels." -- Anne
Zeller, Assoc. Prof. of Anthropology, Univ. of Waterloo, in American Anthropologist
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The Chinampas |
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| This important documentary examines an ecologically sustainable system of agriculture
that has flourished in Mexico for some 2,000 years. The chinampa zone, which now
survives only on the southern edge of Mexico City, is a beautiful area of canals
and islands, graceful willow trees, agricultural crops, and flowers. The video employs
graphics, live action, and commentary by chinampa farmers to show how the phenomenally
productive chinampa system works. It also shows how the growth and pollution problems
of Mexico City threaten the survival of the remaining chinampa farmers. By Anne Prutzman. 31 min. Color 1990 Catalog #37984 Sale: video $195, Rental: video $50 |
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A powerful visual document of great value to students of the environment and culture change. It brings a piece of Mexican history to life and is well suited to high school and college instruction. -- Prof. John Adair, Dept. of Anthropology, San Francisco State Univ. American Anthropological Assoc. selection Third World Studies Conference honoree |
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The Endangered Animals Series |
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| These three videos introduce intermediate and junior high school students to three
of the most appealing of all endangered animal species. By viewing these informative
and entertaining programs, students will appreciate these rare and magnificent animals
and learn about each one's behavior, its struggle for survival, and efforts being
made to ensure the continuation of its species. Accompanying teacher's guides. Produced
by the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Assoc. Save More Than 10% Special Series Price: $625 |
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These videos grab and hold the interest of my students. They do a better job of
teaching about the problems of endangered animals than any other films I've ever
used. -- Tyrone Gaffney, Sixth-Grade Teacher, Pasadena, Calif. Animal Behavior Society Film Festival honoree |
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Gorilla, Gorilla, Gorilla |
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| The largest and perhaps most impressive of all primates, gorillas are among the favorite
animals of zoogoers. Gorillas are sensitive, highly intelligent, and display a wide
range of emotions. This program offers a close-up look at the gorilla's behavior
patterns and social interactions, and explains how the destruction of its natural
jungle habitat in Africa threatens its survival. 13 min. Color 1987 Catalog #37479 Sale: video $99, Rental: video $40 |
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The Giant Panda |
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| Only about 1,000 pandas remain alive in the world. This delightful introduction to
panda biology and social behavior focuses on two panda visitors to the Los Angeles
Zoo. Includes rare footage from China of the panda in its rugged native habitat,
and describes the worldwide effort to help keep the panda alive. 15 min. Color 1987 Catalog #37478 Sale: video $99, Rental: video $40 |
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The California Condor |
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| This remarkable program contains some of the best and most intimate footage ever
taken of this majestic but imperiled bird, which is virtually extinct in the wild
and not on exhibit at any zoo. Provides an unusual opportunity to see how condors
live, what they eat, and how they relate to one another. 13 min. Color 1987 Catalog #37477 Sale: video $99, Rental: video $40 |
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The Harris' Hawk: A Return to the River |
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| This outstanding documentary traces the reintroduction to the California wilderness
of the Harris' hawk, a magnificent bird that became extinct in the state in the 1950s
owing to the destruction of its natural desert habitat along the Colorado River bordering
California and Arizona. Examines the habitat restoration work that began in the 1970s
and documents all aspects of the reintroduction project, from the raising of chicks
at a captive breeding facility to the complicated process of releasing the birds
back into the wild. By Pascale Weimerskirch. 20 min. Color 1989 Catalog #37879 Sale: video $150, Rental: video $50 |
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Highest recommendation (and Editor's Choice selection). Delightful and fascinating.... Should prove useful in grades 7 through college and in adult education classes in conservation, ecology, and animal behavior. -- Science Books & Films American Film Festival Blue Ribbon Intl. Wildlife Film Festival "Best of Category" Award Animal Behavior Society honoree CINE Eagle Award Natl. Educational Film Festival Award |
| The Naturalist | |
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| This sensitive and inspiring documentary profiles
one of America's greatest living naturalists and woodsmen, Kent Bonar, who
is often called the "John Muir of the Ozarks." Living without modern
amenities in the tradition of Thoreau, Leopold, and Muir, Bonar has spent
his life observing, recording, and drawing the natural history of the Missouri
and Arkansas Ozarks, one of the most diverse, beautiful, and threatened
environments in North America. Bonar has combined ethical philosophy, spirituality,
wood-lore, and extraordinary artistic talent into a simple yet profound
lifestyle; his example is a powerful antidote to the wasteful and destructive
materialism of modern American culture.
"The Naturalist" will stimulate reflection and discussion in any course
studying ecology, the environment, or modern American culture. It was
produced by Doug Hawes-Davis. |
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On the Edge: Nature's Last Stand for Coast Redwoods |
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| This beautifully photographed and highly informative documentary illustrates the
65-million-year natural history of the coastal redwood, the earth's largest living
thing. Explores the attitudes and relationship of the California Indians to the redwoods,
and shows how the Gold Rush and the ensuing growth of California and the West resulted
in some 95 percent of all redwood forest areas being cut down by 1989. Also traces
the history of conservationist efforts to protect and preserve these magnificent
trees. Produced by James Daniels for the Sempervirens Fund and the California Dept.
of Parks and Recreation. 33 min. Color 1990 Catalog #37987 Sale: video $195, Rental: video $50 |
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Polar Ecology: Predator and Prey |
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| This classic, still unsurpassed documentary illustrates the interaction of a wide
variety of animals in both the Arctic and Antarctic regions. Shows the ecological
principles governing predator-prey relationships, food chains, territories, and the
breeding success of selected species. By Clyde B. Smith. 22 min. Color 1963 Catalog #37438 Sale: video $125; Rental: video $50 |
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CINE Golden Eagle Award American Film Festival Award |
| The Whales of Alaska's Inside Passage | |
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| Once a whale hunting ground, southeastern Alaska
is now an enormous protected laboratory for researchers as they seek to
learn more about killer whales and the endangered North Pacific humpback
whales that co-exist there. This acclaimed documentary may be the most accurate
and comprehensive study available on video of these whales and the challenges
to survival they face.
This beautifully photographed and thought-provoking video provides rare
views, both above and below the surface, of the lives of Alaskan whales
and examines the scientific research that is attempting to learn more
about them and their critical but fragile habitat between British Columbia
and Glacier Bay. It also explores our changing relationship with whales
and recounts the history of whales in Alaska's Inside Passage from early
whaling days to the present. It also demonstrates how present and future
natural resource management decisions will affect the whales' chances
of survival. Produced by Kevin Hartwell. |
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 "In my opinion, this is a perfect video for teaching purposes. I use this excellent video in two courses, one on whales and one on teaching about whales. In both courses it was one of the highlights of the term, and the teachers enrolled in the one course all say they will use the video in their own classes!" -- Bruce Wright, Prof. of Biology, Univ. of Alaska Southeast "I use this video in my whale research internship class to show students good examples of field research in the rugged conditions of southeastern Alaska. This is one of the best videos for explaining what we know about the large cetaceans that inhabit these waters but, even more importantly, the video outlines what we don't know and what it will take to protect the habitat of these animals." -- Jan Straley, Asst. Prof. of Biology, Univ. of Alaska Southeast
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Wild California |
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| Narrated by Peter Coyote, this unique, stunningly beautiful video introduces a dozen
natural habitats found in California and the western United States. It provides a
captivating and informative profile of the ecology and natural history of this varied
region. A must for classes in geography, the environment, ecology, and biology. To
facilitate showing to younger audiences, the program may be ordered in two related
parts, as described below. Produced by Sea Studios, Monterey, Calif. 36 min. Color 1989 Catalog #37898 Sale: video $195, Rental: video $50 |
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A wonderful video! 'Magnificent,' 'Outstanding,' 'Excellent,' and 'Truly professional'
are just some of the superlatives that were expressed by our scientific staff members
after viewing the video. -- Dustin D. Chivers, California Academy of Sciences,
San Francisco Natl. Educational Film Festival Award |
| Wild California: The Land Explores through four seasons the wildlife and ecology of various terrestrial habitats found in California and the West. Habitats profiled include a Tule marsh, oak woodlands, montane slope, early Sierra winter, the Great Basin, and the desert. There is also a vignette on bird migration. This program consists of seven of the areas featured in the complete Wild California, above. Narrated by Peter Coyote. 19 min. Color 1989 Catalog #37896 Sale: video $125, Rental: video $45 |
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Wild California: The Sea |
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| Introduces some of the wildlife and natural habitats found on and off the Pacific
Coast, from elephant seals on the Farallon Islands to the fascinating ecology of
beach wrack. Includes sections on the Farallon Islands, sea meadows, between the
tides, beach wrack, and a salt marsh. All of these are also found in the complete
Wild California, described above. Narrated by Peter
Coyote. 18 min. Color 1989 Catalog #37897 Sale: video $125, Rental: video $45 |
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