Chivalry of a Failed Knight

All animals are born with a chance to survive, thrive and produce their own next generation but they must first overcome the hurdles of infancy. Vulnerable, naive but determined, some young animals face their biggest challenges in the first few days of life. From the barnacle geese goslings taking giant leaps of faith and a tiny long-eared jerboa facing the Gobi desert all alone to the two-month-old humpback whale calf preparing for a major migration, every challenge is a new one for these infants.

In the journey toward adulthood, a moment comes when all animals must strike out on their own. Arctic foxes are chased from their den and onto the ice by their own mothers, daily survival is a victory for racket-tail hummingbirds, Bengal tigers face extreme danger for their independence and hungry cheetahs must learn to fend for themselves lest they starve to death. At this crucial stage in life, every small success is a triumph.

Animals need a home that provides the necessities of life, shelter from the elements and a refuge from enemies. Young hermit crabs line up in an orderly queue after an empty shell washes ashore so they can quickly move into the next shell up in size and remoras -- AKA "Shark Suckers" -- wait patiently for the appearance of the perfect bull shark to call home. For some animals like the pikas who must guard their larders from thieving neighbors and hunting dogs that rely on disciplined teamwork to protect their turf, defending their homes is equally important.

In the animal kingdom, power is the ultimate prize and animals will use any means necessary to rise through the ranks. Fighting, cooperating, manipulating and deceiving are all just a part of winning at the game of life for these animals.

Competition to win a mate has created both the most extraordinary beauty and life-threatening violence anywhere in nature and the stakes could not be higher. Without a mate, the journey of life could literally end here for some.

Raising offspring and continuing the line is the next best thing to immortality. But for some animals, raising their young requires life-threatening sacrifice and critical decision-making abilities.