• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 8.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  Naturalist offers animal education with a sense of humor.

Why We Rated This for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  Viewers will learn a lot about the featured animals, as well as the way that animals and plants have adapted to survive environmental changes.
• Messages:

  With its focus on animals and the environment, the show has strong eco-messages. It's frank about how animals behave in the wild, but it adds a layer of humor so things don't get too solemn.
• Role models:

  Baker enthusiastically shares his love and admiration for nature while educating viewers about it.

What to watch out for

• Violence & scariness:

  Occasional images of animals eating their prey. Discussions also include potential dangers that an animal may pose to humans. Dead specimens of smaller animals are often shown in jars. All of this is offered within an educational context.
• Sexy stuff:

  The host occasionally uses very mild sexual innuendoes (like feeling inadequate about having a “small” shovel) that will go over kids' head.
• Language:

  Baker occasionally uses the word "stupid" to describe himself or some of the things he does.
• Consumerism:

  Not an issue.
• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  Baker occasionally samples local alcoholic brews (like Mezcal) during his travels.

What Parents Need to Know

About Weird Creatures

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