Smithsonian Channel Pick of the Week

Latest Episodes:

Does China's Only Female Emperor Deserve Her Bad Rap? Jul 23, 2018

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Wu Zetian, empress of the Tang Dynasty, was believed to be a cunning and ruthless ruler. But new evidence unearthed by archaeologists has challenged this version of her story.

Watch Two King Cobras Romance Each Other Jul 16, 2018

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King cobra mating techniques aren't subtle. To indicate his interest, the male will engage in frequent headbutting with the female, while she dances provocatively around him.

The Incredible Reptiles That Flew 200 Million Years Ago Jul 16, 2018

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A 200-million-year-old fossil reveals the amazing body structure of a reptilian creature known as the dimorphodon. Not only did it possess wings, it was one of the first large vertebrates to travel by air.

How Yellowstone Scientists Really Combat Invasive Species Jul 09, 2018

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Yellowstone cutthroat trout are on the brink of extinction as invasive lake trout continue to eat them. With the park's ecosystem at risk, it's up to scientists to figure out where these predators came from and how to contain them.

Footage of the Alarming Moments Before the Everest Avalanche Jul 02, 2018

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An earthquake in Nepal fills hikers on Everest with fear. Once the tremors subside, however, a new threat begins to loom on the horizon: an avalanche.

What's the Waggle Dance? And Why Do Honey Bees Do It? Jul 02, 2018

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Honeybees search high and wide for the best flowers. And when they find them, they go back to the hive and "tell" the other bees how to get there.

This Forensics Test Brought a Serial Killer to Justice Jun 25, 2018

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With Michael Swango in custody for fraud, it's up to the scientists to figure out how he killed his patients - before his sentence is up and he gets another chance to escape.

This African Warrior Ceremony Was Highly Intimidating Jun 18, 2018

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When France sent ambassador Jean-Marie Bayol to Dahomey to secure a deal for the kingdom's rich natural resources, he was greeted by an elite force of all-women warriors known as the Agooji. Their ferocity set the tone for negotiations.

Why the Assassin Bug More Than Lives Up to Its Name Jun 18, 2018

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The assassin bug's deadly proboscis is both sword and siphon. It uses its sharp nose to pierce and inject toxins into its victims, and then to suck out their liquified insides.

Aerial Views of Eco-Friendly Homes in New Mexico Jun 18, 2018

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In an unwelcome environment, building an eco-friendly house is a major challenge. But architect Mike Reynolds thinks he's found a design solution in his innovative "Earthships."