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Learn moreAward-winning wildlife presenter Brett Westwood explores our relationship with fish and invertebrates, and their impact on human culture and society
Throughout the ages, human beings have had a profound fascination with the natural world. It has influenced all aspects of our civilisation, from science and religion to music, art, literature and film. These 12 episodes, taken from Radio 4's epic series Natural Histories, find presenter Brett Westwood exploring two major groups of animals - fish, who have lived on Earth for over 450 million years, and invertebrates, who make up 97 percent of all species worldwide - to find out how our perception and representation of them has changed over time.
Beginning with one of our most iconic predators, he dives into the world of sharks, showing how Jaws gave them a reputation as fearsome killers - and signed the death warrant for millions of their number. Brett also meets the closest thing to an alien lifeform: an octopus, discovering how the sea monster of historical myth is now emerging as an animal worthy of respect and understanding. Plus, he goes in search of the obscure burbot, Britain's forgotten freshwater fish; looks at the rise and demise of the flea circus; and explains why we have eulogised the butterfly from time immemorial. Meanwhile, author Lia Leendertz uncovers the story of bees, looking at ancient Greek poetry, Victorian moral allegory, and the laws and superstitions around beekeeping...
Taking in documentary, biography and fiction, these riveting programmes will delight, surprise and amaze. You'll never look at fish and invertebrates in the same way again...
Production credits
Presented by Brett Westwood with Lia Leendertz (Bee)
Produced in partnership with the Natural History Museum, London
Producers: Sarah Blunt, Andrew Dawes, Beth O'Dea, Sarah Pitt, Maggie Ayre, Tom Bonnett
Series producer: Mary Colwell
Episode guide
First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:
Sharks 9 June 2015
Eel 22 August 2017
Burbot 7 July 2015
Octopus 15 August 2017
Leech 2 August 2016
Earthworm 25 July 2017
Snail 5 September 2017
Fleas 10 November 2015
Beetles 27 October 2015
Bee 25 October 2019
Butterflies 16 June 2015
Cricket 1 November 2016
© 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd. (P) 2023 BBC Studios Distribution Ltd.
Brett Westwood is a radio presenter and author, specialising in natural history. He is a regular presenter of natural history programmes on BBC Radio 4, several of which are available in Real Audio format from the BBC website. He is active in the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and for the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre, which cover the area around his home in Stourbridge.
Brett Westwood is a radio presenter and author, specialising in natural history. He is a regular presenter of natural history programmes on BBC Radio 4, several of which are available in Real Audio format from the BBC website. He is active in the Worcestershire Wildlife Trust and for the Worcestershire Biological Records Centre, which cover the area around his home in Stourbridge.