Horrible Histories Catch up, Series 8: 6. Bizarre Beasts on CBBC

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 6. Bizarre Beasts

A look at some of the various ways in which, throughout history, humans have lived with, worked with, and interacted with animals - from the very first socialising with wolves thousands of years ago through to farting fish almost starting a nuclear war in more recent history!\n\nWe take a trip to Elizabeth I’s menagerie which was housed at the Tower of London and home to exotic animal gifts from foreign rulers, and included wolves, hyenas, bears, leopards and even lions. There were also some nice dogs but, well, leopards.\n\nSophie and Sebastian are on hand to advise both Alexander the Great and King Porus as to which animals they could use in battle to defeat their enemies, seemingly ignoring the fact that Alexander and Porus are actually fighting each other.\n\nElsewhere, the Australian army faces the unruly might of an emu invasion, Romans release an album in praise of their favourite pet (eels), and Charles Darwin hosts Yummy Planet, a look at some of the animals he actually ate whilst on his travels. Plus, we take a look at how humans have used animal by-products in different ways, including drinking milk and the Victorian penchant for 'coprolite' - jewellery made from fossilised dinosaur poo.

Source: CBBC

Most recent episodes of Horrible Histories

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 9. The Chaotic Civil War

Take a journey through one of the weirdest, wildest periods in English history, featuring the only time that a king has been tried and executed for treason!

01-05-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 14. Smash Hit Songs

Rattus has an idea that might make him millions – he is going to launch a streaming service. However, to make Ratify a success, he is going to need some great songs from h ...

30-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 8. Gory Greek Myths

From the Trojan Horse, to Jason and his Argonauts going to find the Golden Fleece, and Zeus going on historical first dates as an ant, Horrible Histories presents mythical mayhe ...

30-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 7. Radical Renaissance

Legendary artists Da Vinci and Michelangelo are the guides for a journey through one of history’s most creative, and sometimes weirdest, periods.

29-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 6. Ruinous Rivals

From warring brothers to farting mothers, Horrible Histories presents some of the biggest, best and worst rivalries throughout time. Guest starring Rosie Jones, Fred Sirieix and ...

28-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 5. Hideous Homes

From how Henry VIII had the most comfortable poo possible, to finding out which bit of his house Charles Dickens called The Demon - take a tour of horrible homes through history.

27-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 1. Monstrous Musicians

26-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 6: 4. Mardy Mary Queen Of Scots Special

26-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 4. Gruesome Gunpowder Plot

Horrible Histories presents the sometimes-ludicrous story of Guy Fawkes and the Gunpowder Plot.

24-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 10: 3. Foul Football

In honour of the Women’s World Cup, legendary Lioness Jill Scott is joined by Rattus for a journey through the history of the beautiful game.\n\nAlthough football as we kn ...

23-04-2026

CBBC

All episodes