Weird Creatures

Name: Weird Creatures
Item: Weird Creatures
Rating: 3
Author: Melissa Camacho

TV review by

Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media

Common Sense says

age 8+

(i)

Naturalist offers animal education with a sense of humor.

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A lot or a little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

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.

Positive 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.

Positive Role Models & Representations

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

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

Drinking, Drugs & Smoking

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

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this educational series -- which follows naturalist Nick Baker as he travels the world looking for unusual animals -- delivers its information in a way that's both funny and easy to follow. Kids used to nature shows will probably be able to take everything in stride, but some younger or more sensitive viewers may be upset by images of animal specimens and living animals hunting their prey. There's also occasional alcohol consumption (in the context of Baker sampling local concoctions) and very mild sexual innuendo that will go over kids' head.

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What's the story?

WEIRD CREATURES follows the adventures of naturalist Nick Baker, who travels the world looking for some of the planet's most peculiar-seeming animals. From Amazonian rainforests to the Australian Outback, Baker follows the trails of fantastic-looking creatures in hopes of seeing them in their natural habitat; scientists from New York’s American Museum of Natural History and regional local experts help him with his search. Along the way, Baker offers energetic, often amusing explanations about why these animals they look the way they do and how they continue to adapt to their environment.

Is it any good?

The educational series is a fun, quirky way for viewers to learn about animal species that most people know little about. It shows how animals have changed over the centuries to adapt to harsh environments and planetary changes and debunks some of the cultural myths that surround some of the more exotic specimens.

You don’t have to be an animal lover to enjoy the wide range of interesting creatures showcased here. But sensitive viewers who aren't used to frank nature shows may find the frequent images of animal specimens a little disturbing. Ultimately, though, Baker’s passion for nature comes through clearly, here, making Weird Creatures a worthwhile pick for tweens and up.

Talk to your kids about ...

Families can talk about how nature adapts to environmental changes. Have humans adapted the same way that animals have?
What exactly is a naturalist? What kind of education does a naturalist need to do his or her work? Do you think most naturalists get to do what Baker does?