Watch Science & Nature Documentaries | PBS

Watch Science & Nature Documentaries | PBS
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Science & Nature
Genre
Science & Nature
Horizons from PBS News
Why Earth's melting ice matters more than we think
1/21/2026 | 26m 46s
Overview
How Otters Are Saving Earth’s Underwater Forests
S2 Ep3 | 10m 6s
Weathered
When Will The World Run Out of Water?
S6 Ep13 | 11m 56s
Overview
What Happened to America’s First Megacity?
S2 Ep6 | 12m 24s
Overview
Is This Earth’s Most Treacherous Coastline?
S2 Ep9 | 10m 48s
Adaptation
Floating Gardens of Bangladesh
Ep1 | 14m 6s
Climate California
Now
Ep10 | 24m 53s
PBS News Hour
The Plastic Problem
Special | 54m 8s
10
New
Overview
America Made Its Most Toxic Lake. Now We Need What's Inside.
S3 Ep3 | 15m 22s
PBS Space Time
Earth’s Core Should Be Impossible. A New State of Matter Explains It.
S11 Ep26 | 16m 16s
Deep Look
Spotted Lanternflies are The Ultimate Party Crashers
S12 Ep22 | 4m 48s
Weathered
Why is THIS the DEADLIEST river in the US?
S7 Ep10 | 12m 30s
But Why – A show for curious kids
Why is the food orange called the color orange?
4/10/2026 | 1m 20s
Women of the Earth
The Key to Flood Defense Is in Our Soils
S2 Ep7 | 16m 47s
Be Smart
The Intelligence Test Where Ants Beat Humans
S13 Ep17 | 14m 52s
Reactions
They Changed Coke and Didn't Tell Anyone
S12 Ep1 | 14m 19s
NOVA
Interview: Discovering Dark Energy and the Hubble Tension with Nobel Prize Winner Adam Riess
Special | 1h 16m 19s
Untold Earth
It Looks Like a Desert. But It Has Thousands of Lakes
S2 Ep10 | 8m 53s
Nature
Gusanos de Cinta: ¡El animal más largo del planeta! | Ribbon Worms: the longest animal on the planet
Special | 34m 41s
Big Cats 24/7
Big Cats Unleashed - What Makes a Big Cat Alpha?
Special | 9m 56s
Climate California
Now
Ep10 | 24m 53s
Human Footprint
Vanishing Act
S2 Ep6 | 55m 39s
Eons Podcast
Who Were The Denisovans?
S1 Ep9 | 21m 16s
Walking with Dinosaurs
How an Evolutionary Arms Race Created Bizarre Dino Designs
Special | 5m 32s
Women of the Earth
The Key to Flood Defense Is in Our Soils
Corie Pierce reveals how regenerative farming helped their fields withstand extreme rainfall.
Watch Now
Interview: Discovering Dark Energy and the Hubble Tension with Nobel Prize Winner Adam Riess
Special | 1h 16m 19s
Interview: Evolution of New Species, Venom, Wings, and More with Sean B. Carroll
Special | 1h 24m 9s
Interview: De-Extinction, Dire Wolves, and Jurassic Park with Beth Shapiro
Special | 54m 49s
Interview: Extremophiles, the Deep Sea, and Alien Life with Peter Girguis
Special | 1h 11m 15s
Interview: The Animal Translator with Erich Jarvis
Special | 1h 3m 49s
Interview: Brain Guru with Heather Berlin
Special | 1h 28m 59s
Interview: Bob and Mike’s Big Idea with Bob Hazen and Mike Wong
Special | 1h 11m 13s
Interview: Black Hole Badass with Janna Levin
Special | 1h 19m 54s
Interview: The Deepfake Detective with Hany Farid
Special | 1h 25m 1s
Interview: Mind of a Fossil Hunter with Kirk Johnson
Special | 1h 37m 18s
Sands of Time
Special | 6m 47s
Standing the Heat
Special | 8m 44s
Megadroughts and Indigenous Voices
Special | 7m 51s
Harvesting the Future
Special | 9m 22s
Keepers of the Coastline
Special | 11m 56s
Tides of Tradition
Special | 9m 47s
When Whales Could Walk (Español)
Special | 53m 30s
Ancient Builders of the Amazon (Español)
Special | 53m 21s
Ancient Maya Metropolis (Español)
Special | 53m 31s
NOVA
When Earth Was Bombarded by Asteroids
Clip: S53 Ep1 | 3m 41s
NOVA
How Astronauts Avoided Disaster Building the International Space Station
Clip: S52 Ep19 | 4m 30s
NOVA
The Failure That Led to the Columbia Tragedy
Clip: S52 Ep19 | 1m 35s
NOVA
Göbekli Tepe: The 11,500-Year-Old Mystery That Rewrote History
Clip: S52 Ep16 | 2m 47s
NOVA
This Is Where the First Alphabet Was Born
Clip: S52 Ep16 | 3m 5s
NOVA
Would You Face a Bear With a Spear? Ancient Humans Might Have
Clip: S52 Ep15 | 3m 6s
NOVA
At the Edge of Extinction, These Neanderthals Were Cannibalized
Clip: S52 Ep14 | 2m 59s
NOVA
Did Homo sapiens and Neanderthals Interbreed?
Clip: S52 Ep14 | 2m 59s
NOVA
How Did Early Humans Hunt Monkeys?
Clip: S52 Ep13 | 2m 54s
NOVA
This Discovery Rewrote Human History
Clip: S52 Ep12 | 2m 50s
NOVA
This Was One of the First Known Human Ritual Sites
Clip: S52 Ep12 | 2m 41s
NOVA
How Algorithms Decide Who Gets a Kidney
Clip: Special | 1m 7s
NOVA
Why Just Planting Trees Won’t Save the Planet
Clip: S52 Ep8 | 3m 4s
NOVA
How Deadly Was the Musket?
Clip: S52 Ep7 | 4m 57s
NOVA
The World’s First Combat Submarine
Clip: S52 Ep7 | 10m 49s
NOVA
What Caused Baltimore’s Key Bridge to Collapse?
Clip: S52 Ep6 | 2m 57s
NOVA
What Went Wrong on the Dali Before the Baltimore Bridge Collapse
Clip: S52 Ep6 | 2m 57s
NOVA
A Brutal Gladiator Fight in Ancient Pompeii
Clip: S52 Ep5 | 2m 37s
NOVA
This Pompeii Priest Had an Unexpected Rise to Power
Clip: S52 Ep5 | 2m 58s
NOVA
How the Afterlife Shaped Ancient Egypt
Clip: S52 Ep4 | 1m 15s
NOVA
Opening a Sealed Egyptian Tomb
Clip: S52 Ep4 | 2m 38s
NOVA
The God’s Wife of Amun: Powerful Women in Ancient Egypt
Clip: S52 Ep4 | 3m 3s
NOVA
What's Inside These Ancient Egyptian Jars?
Clip: S52 Ep4 | 1m 58s
NOVA
How Birds Evolved to Fly (feat. Slow-Mo Baby Birds)
Clip: S52 Ep3 | 2m 56s
Eons
How the Himalayas Changed the World
The Himalayas changed everything.
Watch Now
Gusanos de Cinta: ¡El animal más largo del planeta! | Ribbon Worms: the longest animal on the planet
Special | 34m 41s
La nieve y el efecto albedo | Snow and the albedo effect
Special | 21m 12s
Escarabajo coprófago: El reciclador del popó | Dung Beetle: the poo recycler
Special | 32m 18s
Biodiversidad: La imaginación de la Tierra | Biodiversity: The imagination of the Earth
Special | 24m 23s
Pulpo Gigante del Pacifico: 8 brazos y 9 cerebros
Special | 34m 48s
Giant Pacific Octopus: 8 arms and 9 brains
Special | 30m 2s
Titanoboa: The largest snake that ever lived
Special | 32m 54s
Titanoboa: La serpiente más grande de la historia
Special | 23m
Fitoplancton bioluminiscente de Puerto Rico | Puerto Rico's bioluminescent phytoplankton
Special | 34m 11s
Series Trailer | Mes de Herencia Hispana con Cumbre Kids
Special | 2m 1s
Mythbusting Opossum Facts | Backyard Nature
Special | 3m 1s
Tigers: Clawing Back | A NATURE Short Film
Special | 12m 34s
The Miracle Plant | Backyard Nature
Special | 4m 21s
Inside Montana's Living Laboratory | A NATURE Short Film
Special | 11m 20s
The Forager | Backyard Nature
Special | 3m 7s
Caught On Camera | Backyard Nature
Special | 3m 40s
Bush Baby Tenants| Backyard Nature
Special | 3m 43s
Keep Calm and... Tend to 20,000 Bees | Backyard Nature
Special | 4m 46s
Living with Snow Leopards–Tashi’s Story: A NATURE Short Film
Special | 9m 1s
Nature
Citizen Science Story: The Great Sunflower Project
Clip: S37 Ep15 | 1m 45s
Nature
Citizen Science Story: Track a Lilac
Clip: S37 Ep15 | 1m 24s
Nature
Mom Saves Pups on Wolf Trail Cam
Clip: S37 Ep15 | 1m 37s
Nature
Citizen Science Story: Monarch Larva Monitoring Project
Clip: S37 Ep14 | 1m 38s
Nature
Inside a Bat Tornado
Clip: S37 Ep14 | 38s
Nature
Bear Cub Check Up
Clip: S37 Ep13 | 1m 26s
Nature
Watch a Lamb Being Born
Clip: S37 Ep13 | 2m 54s
Nature
Butterfly Mimicry
Clip: S36 Ep12 | 5m 33s
Nature
Leatherback Turtle Hatchlings Emerge from Sand
Clip: S35 Ep13 | 2m 48s
Nature
Newt Mating in the High Sierra | Yosemite Web Exclusive
Clip: S35 Ep12 | 3m 6s
Nature
Pika Builds Nest to Survive Long Harsh Winter
Clip: S35 Ep12 | 2m 57s
Nature
Spy Bushbaby's Funniest Moments
Clip: S35 Ep11 | 1m 23s
Nature
Jaguar Attacks Caiman Crocodile
Clip: S35 Ep5 | 2m 1s
Nature
Hummingbirds Battle in the Air
Clip: S35 Ep1 | 1m 35s
Nature
Lion Cubs Playing with Mom and Dad
Clip: S34 Ep14 | 2m 17s
Nature
Lion Caught on Infrared Camera
Clip: S34 Ep14 | 2m 44s
Nature
Bedtime at the Elephant Orphanage
Clip: S34 Ep13 | 1m 17s
Nature
Gorilla Reunites with Old Friend
Clip: S34 Ep13 | 2m 23s
Nature
Why Do Moose Enjoy Licking Cars?
Clip: S34 Ep10 | 1m 3s
Nature
The Sneaky Mating Strategy of Red Kangaroos
Clip: S34 Ep9 | 2m 20s
Nature
Baby Elephant Explores His World
Clip: S34 Ep4 | 2m 45s
Nature
Fences Create Problems for Pronghorn
Clip: S33 Ep16 | 1m 50s
Nature
Sage-Grouse Display Lekking Behavior
Clip: S33 Ep16
Nature
Desert Goat Scales Steep Cliff Face
Clip: S33 Ep15 | 3m 35s
Untold Earth
It Looks Like a Desert. But It Has Thousands of Lakes
Lençóis Maranhenses boasts 350 square miles of dunes that fill crystal blue with lagoons each year.
Watch Now
PBS News Hour
Sir David Attenborough on saving a planet in crisis
Clip: 10/6/2020 | 7m 49s
Amanpour and Company
Sir David Attenborough Reflects on Earth Day
Clip: 4/22/2020 | 3m
Amanpour and Company
Sir David Attenborough on The Fight Against Climate Change
Clip: 12/3/2018 | 3m 1s
Nature
Bullfrog Dad Protects the Brood
Clip: S32 Ep19 | 2m 43s
Articles & Resources
PBS
Sir David Attenborough's Life & Legacy
Discover how David Attenborough’s groundbreaking documentaries and passion for the planet have inspired generations to see and protect the natural world.
NATURE
Amazon Rainforest: An Interactive Experience
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Amazon Rainforest by scrolling through our interactive site.
NOVA
The world’s oldest tree has competition
Will a Patagonian cypress in Chile prove older than California’s most elderly bristlecone pine?
PBS
How to Take a Photo of a Dinosaur
Step into the world of Walking with Dinosaurs with Augmented Reality — right from your phone!
NATURE
The Poles: An Interactive Experience
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the Poles by scrolling through our interactive experience.
Big Cats 24/7
Fun Facts about Cheetahs
Cheetahs are the underdogs of the savannah, often losing kills to larger carnivores. Learn how these fast cats thrive in the wild Okavango Delta!
Big Cats 24/7
Everything You Need to Know About Season 2
Catch up with the lions, cheetahs and leopards of the Okavango Delta in season 2 of Big Cats 24/7.
Big Cats 24/7
Fun Facts About Leopards
Did you know that leopards can eat over 10 pounds of meat per day, or that they don't technically have spots?
Big Cats 24/7
Fun Facts About Lions
Did you know a lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away? Learn more about the "kings" of the savannah!
PBS
6 Polar Documentaries to Watch
With the summer heat still persisting, we want to offer you a trip to somewhere cool… VERY cool.
PBS
Sounds of the Savannah
Hear the roars of the lions, cheetahs and leopards of the Okavango Delta featured in Big Cats 24/7 Season 2.
PBS
The Study of Bugs: A Creepy-Crawly Crash Course in Entomology
Thanks to entomology, some of the best teachers might be crawling right outside your door.
PBS
We’re Swimming in Great Shark Documentaries!
Dive into the best shark documentaries streaming now—exploring over 500 species, ancient Megalodons, and cutting-edge shark science. Learn the truth behind shark myths and meet the scientists working to protect these vital ocean predators.
PBS
7 Science and Nature Shows to Watch With the Whole Family
Spark curiosity in kids and adults alike with wildlife documentaries, climate stories, and inspiring STEM adventures perfect for family learning and quality screen time.
PBS
Must-Watch Bird Documentaries
Please enjoy this collection of must-watch bird documentaries for new and longtime birders alike.
NOVA
The History of Earth in Five Epic Chapters
The evolution of planet Earth over 4.5 billion years.
BIG CATS 24/7
What Is a Lion Pride and How Does It Work?
Jump inside a lion pride to learn how these big cats live, work and play in their natural habitat!
NOVA
4 major effects of climate change in America
Warming temperatures are causing extreme weather patterns across the country. But communities are pushing back with solutions old and new.
PBS
Best Dinosaur Documentaries to Watch Now
Learn dinosaur facts, history and information about fossils in this collection of dinosaur documentaries.
NOVA
How iron-air batteries could fill gaps in renewable energy
Rust Belt cities could be the perfect place to develop this renewable energy solution.
THE GREEN PLANET
The Eight Weirdest and Coolest Flowers in the World
From the stinky Corpse Flower to fuzzy Marimo Moss Balls, explore 8 of the weirdest and coolest flowers on Earth.
NOVA
Why cities are so hot (and how we can fix it)
Even the Romans noticed that cities are engineered to be heat islands. But that means we can do something about it.
PBS
7 Women Inventors in STEM Who Changed the Way We Eat and Cook
Explore the untold stories of pioneering women inventors whose breakthroughs in food science, kitchen engineering, and culinary technology revolutionized everything from cold storage to convenience cooking and sustainable nutrition.
NOVA
How Old Is Earth?
How did our solar system form? And when did Earth come to be?
PBS NEWS
Breaking and Special News Coverage
Millions of Americans turn to PBS for the solid, reliable reporting that has made PBS NewsHour one of the most trusted news programs in television.
NOVA
Why it's so hard to make salt water drinkable
Seawater might seem like an obvious solution to water scarcity, but it comes at a cost.
FRONTLINE 360°
Why is Greenland Melting?
Greenland's magnificent glaciers are melting -- faster and faster. A team of NASA scientists are trying to find out the reasons why.
PBS
Best PBS Horse Documentaries to Stream: From Native Legends to Star Stallions
Discover powerful horse documentaries on PBS that celebrate Native American heritage, Appalachian history, mythological tales, and the deep cultural bond between humans and horses across generations and continents.
PBS NEWS
Tipping Point
A series that explores the urgent and complex threat of climate change, and efforts to adapt, mitigate, and reverse the tide of a warming world.
NOVA
2-million-year-old DNA reveals surprising Arctic ecosystem
The oldest DNA ever retrieved, preserved in sediments in northern Greenland, reveals that Arctic and temperate species once commingled in an ecosystem unlike anything that exists today.
PBS
Documentaries Centering Indigenous Voices
Documentaries and programs that show environmental stewardship from Indigenous perspectives.
THE GREEN PLANET
What is Symbiosis?
Many plants form mutually beneficial relationships in the wild. Learn about 6 examples of symbiosis featured in The Green Planet.
NOVA
How Earth Became a Water World
The ancient history of Earth’s deep blue sea.
PBS NEWS
This Michigan project celebrates the rich history of community farmers and gardeners
A Michigan oral history project is collecting the stories of farmers and gardeners from working class communities and communities of color.
FRONTLINE
Where Are They Now? Updates on People in ‘Maui’s Deadly Firestorm’
Many residents are trying to rebuild their homes that burned down, while others have moved to different parts of Maui or Hawai‘i.
PBS
17 Nature Documentaries Streaming on PBS
Stream 17 must-see wildlife documentaries that showcase extraordinary animals, their habitats, and survival stories.
NOVA
Why Is the Sky Blue?
The familiar sky we see today wasn’t always blue.
HOPE IN THE WATER
What is Aquaculture? An Overview of Sustainable Ocean Farming
From art to architecture, there are plenty of ways to think about our shared humanity and what that means for the future we’re building together.
THE GREEN PLANET
Rare Plants, Exotic Insects & Extraordinary Ecosystems with David Attenborough
Discover rare and bizarre plants, exotic insects, and resilient wildlife featured in The Green Planet with Sir David Attenborough.
CHANGING PLANET
Q&A: Dr. M. Sanjayan On Our Climate Future
Dr. M. Sanjayan shares insights on climate solutions, Indigenous wisdom, and surprising conservation breakthroughs—from fire practices in Australia’s Gibson Desert to blue carbon ecosystems and coral reef acoustics in the Maldives.
BIG CATS 24/7
How Do Lions Hunt?
It takes skill and strategy for African lions to bring down a kill. Learn how these clever kitties work together to hunt a meal and feed the lion pride.
NOVA
How Native American traditions control wildfires
As wildfires escalate in Western states, authorities are embracing once-outlawed burning practices.
PBS
Best Bear Documentaries to Watch Now
Bears of all kinds have captured our imagination and been featured in stories of bravery and kindness, of savagery and playfulness.
New
Overview
America Made Its Most Toxic Lake. Now We Need What's Inside.
S3 Ep3 | 15m 22s
Big Cats Unleashed - What Makes a Big Cat Alpha?
Special | 9m 56s
Big Cats Unleashed - Translating a Lion’s Roar
Special | 8m 9s
Big Cats Unleashed - Evolution of Big Cat Looks
Special | 8m 32s
Big Cats Unleashed - Masters of the Hunt
Special | 8m 22s
Be Smart
The Intelligence Test Where Ants Beat Humans
How thousands of tiny brains, obeying simple rules, solve problems no individual can understand.
Watch Now
Human Footprint
Vanishing Act
Shane meets species on the brink of oblivion, and the people who won’t let them slip away.
Watch Now
Explore Classroom Materials
PBS LEARNINGMEDIA
Climate and Our Planet
These resources, aligned with NGSS Earth and life science disciplinary core ideas, offer a range of options for engaging middle and high school students with key questions in climate science.
GBH
Weather & Climate
Observe weather conditions in images, videos, and maps. Analyze data to find weather patterns and characterize regional climate. Use visualizations to analyze the flow of energy in Earth’s systems.
GBH
NOVA
Engage students with stories of scientific discovery using curriculum-aligned resources that present a broad range of phenomena and provide opportunities to connect STEM to societal issues and students’ daily lives.
WNET
NATURE
This collection of video-centric classroom resources seeks to engage students interactively and creatively, addressing topics and standards in Life Science/Living Environment and Earth Science.
PBS LearningMedia
Weathered
Bring host Maiya May into your classroom to uncover the science behind extreme weather events and rapid climate change and the innovative solutions to these challenges.
PBS LearningMedia
Future of Nature
Introduce students to the latest carbon cycle science, nature-based carbon drawdown success stories, as well as the thinkers, community leaders, and technologies behind them.
PBS LearningMedia
Adaptations
This series highlights the intersectionality of environmental education, geography, and anthropology. Inspire student civic action with the global examples presented in each episode.
The WNET Group
Human Impact on the Environment
These resources show the real-world effects of our actions on the environment and were designed to support teachers integrating environmental education into existing Life and Earth Science curricula.
Favorites from PBS KIDS
PBS KIDS
Elinor Wonders Why
“That’s so interesting!” Elinor, the most observant and curious bunny rabbit in Animal Town, explores nature and community through adventures with her friends.
PBS KIDS
Wild Kratts
Activate your Creature Power! Join the Kratt Brothers as they travel to a different corner of the world to meet amazing new animals and learn about them and their habitats.
PBS KIDS
Nature Cat
Meet Fred, a house cat who dreams of exploring the great outdoors. Once his family leaves for the day, Fred transforms into Nature Cat: “backyard explorer extraordinaire!” He can’t wait to get outside for a day of nature adventures and bravery!
PBS KIDS
Molly of Denali
Get ready to sled into fun! Join Molly, an Alaska Native girl, her dog Suki, and friends Tooey and Trini on their adventures in epically beautiful Alaska.
See All Science and Nature Shows
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