Family movie night? There's an app for that
Download our new mobile app on iOS and Android.
Extraordinary Animals
By Emily Ashby,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Talented critters will amaze the whole family.
Add your rating
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.
Where to Watch
Community Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Positive all the way!
What's the Story?
EXTRAORDINARY ANIMALS challenges the common human perception that animals have inferior intellect by introducing viewers to creatures whose astounding abilities defy explanation. From an artistic elephant with a flair for abstracts to a sea lion whose use of logic sometimes exceeds that of humans, these animals truly are unique among their peers. Narrated by William Shatner, each episode follows the story of one amazing animal, documenting its talents and exploring how its ability was nurtured and studied.
Is It Any Good?
This intriguing series will entertain animal lovers of all ages, which is great news for families. Content-wise, there's nothing to worry about, and experts' insights into the animals' behavior, physiology, and intellect -- combined with the amazing parade of the critters' talents -- plays out like a fun version of biology class. It's a sure bet that you'll never look at animals in quite the same way after a glance at these geniuses.
Even very young viewers will enjoy watching the animals featured in this show, but some kids may have follow-up questions about why wild animals like elephants and orangutans are in captivity and why the subjects are performing tricks for rewards -- and sometimes for the enjoyment of an onscreen audience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how humans and animals relate. How have humans affected the existence of wild animals like elephants, orangutans, and dolphins? Why are some of these animals held in captivity? How does scientists' work help us better understand them? Would you say that the in-depth study of these animals is a good thing? What responsibilities do humans have toward animals? How can we help preserve endangered species' natural environment?
TV Details
- Premiere date: June 13, 2008
- Cast: William Shatner
- Network: Animal Planet
- Genre: Educational
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: October 11, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Watch
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate