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 7: 6. Ingenious Inventors

12-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 11: 5. Twisted Technology

The watch! The mobile phone! The microwave! The vibrating poo platform! Thomas Edison stage diving! It’s all here as Horrible Histories takes a journey through the history ...

12-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 10. Fierce Females

A show celebrating some of history’s greatest and most formidable females. We begin with ancient tales of the Scythians – incredible warrior women who were part of t ...

08-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 11: 15. Pitiful Princes And Princesses

Marie Antoinette, Henry VIII, Bonnie Prince Charlie, and Loo Man is here to explore why being a prince or princess hasn’t always been the lovely life some might imagine.

07-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 9: 1. British Black History

Horrible Histories charts the contribution of Black people to British life throughout history. How did African soldiers come to be guarding Hadrian’s Wall? Why was a West ...

06-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Specials: 2. Staggering Storytellers

05-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 11: 11. Bewitching Books

Comedian and children’s author Rosie Jones is here to help Rattus choose his World Book Day outfit, and discover the gory details behind some favourite children's books!

05-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 15. Beastly Bodily Functions Special

Doctors Chris and Xand van Tulleken join Rattus for a selection of old and new sketches relating to bodies.

04-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 14. Fantastic Firsts Special

A special show featuring some of history’s greatest firsts, including the first ever library, Olympic Games, people on the moon and rat roller-skating on TV!

03-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes

Horrible Histories

Series 8: 13. Holly H Song Special

Rattus has launched his own radio station (‘BBC Radio Number Two’) and who better to advise him on the songs he should be playing than social media star Holly H? Tog ...

02-03-2026

CBBC

All episodes