Exploring Prehistoric Worlds: Must-See Extinct Animals of the Ice Age

In 1999, the BBC introduced Walking with Dinosaurs, pioneering a new format of wildlife “documentaries” showcasing long-extinct species. As a fan of this genre, I found Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age, a production by BBC Studios for Apple TV, to be exceptional.

The earlier series brought prehistoric planet dinosaurs to vivid life. Now, this third installment highlights the remarkable mammals that inhabited Earth until relatively recently.

The visuals are breathtaking. You could easily mistake the extinct creatures on screen for real footage, especially their incredibly lifelike eyes.

There were occasional awkward moments in the animals’ movements, but my discerning son remarked, “The only unreal thing is how stunning it looks.”

Paleontologists who previewed the trailer seem genuinely impressed. Ultimately, if you’re at all intrigued by extinct species, Prehistoric Planet: Ice Age is a must-watch.

What I particularly appreciate about this series is its breadth; it’s not solely focused on woolly mammoths fleeing saber-toothed tigers. Iconic Ice Age animals are featured, including giant sloths, woolly rhinos, giant armadillos, scimitar-toothed cats, and Columbian mammoths.

This series explores not just the icy polar regions, but also global ecosystems, showcasing many lesser-known species—including some I had never heard of. The animal deemed the “king of beasts” in Ice Age Africa came as a complete surprise.

Another standout was the “murder koala” or marsupial lion (Thylacoleo). A recent study’s findings were published just this month. Koalas are our closest living relatives. The inclusion of this marsupial lion suggests the producers were aware of this finding beforehand. Other Australian creatures, such as a massive marsupial called diprotodon, also make an appearance.

Additionally, there are charming moments, like a squirrel trying to eat a fruit resembling a giant cannonball, reminiscent of the animated film series Ice Age.

I found the change from David Attenborough to Tom Hiddleston as narrator to be somewhat distracting, as Loki’s voice felt out of place at times.

Interestingly, the series avoids graphic content, perhaps considering a younger audience. I’ll refrain from specifics to avoid spoilers, but I was quite surprised by this approach.

My primary critique is that the final segment discussing the science is brief. I would have preferred more insights from the featured experts, particularly regarding the evidence and rationale behind the actions depicted. Many New Scientist readers might agree with this sentiment, although it could just be my perspective.

While the initial scientific trivia outlines why Ice Ages persisted for so long, it curiously omits mentioning carbon dioxide’s role. The reduction of CO₂ was crucial in initiating these Ice Ages, and CO₂ feedback significantly amplified orbital variations’ effects.

Lastly, keep an eye out for direwolves. I’ve extensively covered claims of reviving the dire wolf via gene editing on the gray wolf, noting the misconceptions stemming from the fantasy portrayals in Game of Thrones. This series offers a high-quality, accurate artistic representation of a real animal.

Ultimately, this science-based depiction of extinct creatures is a remarkable achievement. The direwolves aren’t just large white wolves; this portrayal captures their distinctive head shape and brownish fur.

For me, the portrayal of extinct animals on screen represents a critical approach to de-extinction. As we approach the end of a lengthy Ice Age, we face the stark reality that there’s no longer a habitat for these extraordinary species on our planet.