Returning to Five is the light-hearted documentary series that profiles a range of remarkable animals from across the globe. The first instalment focuses on Maggie, a seven-year-old Jack Russell who can count. This cunning canine can apparently solve simple mathematical challenges by tapping out the answer with her paw. But is Maggie a genuine animal genius or is she responding to subtle cues from her owner?
Sprightly Jack Russell Maggie has lived with her owner, Jesse, since she was a puppy. She can dance and she can sing, to a degree, but she has also developed a skill that could change the way people think about their four-legged friends. This canny canine can solve mathematical problems.
As soon as Jesse took Maggie home, the two struck up a unique relationship. The proud owner began training the puppy to perform all kinds of tricks and soon realised that Maggie was a very clever animal. "I knew she was special right away," says Jesse. "She would learn pretty difficult behaviours in minutes." At three months old, the dog would fetch Jesse a tissue whenever she sneezed, and not long after, she learned how to mimic speech by opening and closing her mouth at her mistress's command.
However, Maggie's most incredible skill revealed itself at the age of six months. Jesse held up her hand and Maggie used her paw to tap out the number of digits she saw. "I fell off my chair," recalls Jesse. "It was truly bizarre." Before long, Maggie was capable of simple addition and subtraction sums, and later of multiplication and division.
But is it really possible for an animal to solve mathematical problems? How will Maggie fare in her biggest challenge yet - a maths competition against a class of seven-year-olds?
is there any way of watching extraordinary animals again on the internet?
July 29th - 8:03pmjamie said...
in the dog squad episode does anyone know what type of dog bilbo is?
July 19th - 11:02pmc roberts said...
i also missed the episode on the brainy raven and would like to know if it will it be broadcast again in the near future? if not will it be possible to find it anywhere else e.g on dvd .
i missed the episode on the brainy raven , will it be broadcast again in the near future? if not will it be possible to find it anywhere else e.g on dvd .
July 2nd - 1:17pmT.Franklin said...
I missed the episode Extraordinary Animals. "The Dolphin Who Can See With His Ears" shown on Sunday the 15th of June when will it be repeated?? Need to know a.s.a.p please.??
May 21st - 10:36amMaggie said...
Missed it - so disappointed. When will you repeat?
February 13th - 10:16amG. Whitehouse said...
We have been fascinated by these animals, especially the artistic elephant, is there a DVD covering this current series available for purchase? If yes, how can I obtain one?
Thank you
February 2nd - 6:49pmL. Neiswender said...
I'm in the USA and would like to see this program. Will it be broadcast over here, or could I get a copy of the program? I have only seen a few minutes of it on video.
January 8th - 10:56pmPatzy said...
I missed and taped wrong time on tonights program about a Grey Parrot. I am so annoyed. will I be able to watch it again.
January 8th - 9:23pmSanjay said...
I liked this programme- what was the question one of the boys got wrong when he was shown a bowl and said something like aslate?
January 3rd - 1:22pmD. Fernando said...
Dear Sir/Madame
I missed this program. Is there a way I can watch it or buy a copy of it, Thanks!
Add a comment