While human senses prove to be quite incredible, we only hear, see, and smell the tiniest fraction of the environment around us. Animals, however, have a distinct advantage, as their senses unlock a hidden world only they can experience. In the three-part series Animal Super Senses, biologist Patrick Aryee and physicist Helen Czerski give a detailed insight on the fascinating world of animal senses and their special abilities. The following episodes air Mondays at 9 p.m., beginning June 14, on WSBE Rhode Island PBS:
"Sight" – June 14 at 9 p.m.
Discover how seeing in slow motion lets dragonflies make a kill in the blink of a human eye, learn how caribou use UV light to avoid wolves, and meet an animal that can see in pitch-darkness – without using its eyes.
"Sound" – June 21 at 9 p.m.
Learn how alligators use low-pitch rumbles to make the water dance around them. Then, watch co-hosts Helen Czerski and Patrick Aryee convert a classic camper van into a giant speaker to conduct the ultimate hearing test for a herd of elephants.
"Scent" – June 28 at 9 p.m.
In the final episode, watch co-host Helen head to the Bahamas to dive into shark-infested waters with only a small pouch of liquid as her defense. After, discover how small traces of scent can control the behavior of a swarm of bees, and see co-host Patrick get uncomfortably close to one of the smelliest animals – a skunk.
WSBE Rhode Island PBS transmits over the air in high definition on digital 36.1; Cox 08 / 1008HD, Verizon FiOS 08 / 508HD, and Full Channel 08; Comcast 819HD and Verizon FiOS 18 / 518HD in MA; DirecTV 36, Dish Network 36. Live stream the full broadcast schedule at watch.ripbs.org/livestream.
