♪ Wild Kratts!

[Chris] We're up here in the earth's northern hemisphere.

[Martin] In the mi ddle of winter, in the northern woodlands.

[Chris] It's us, the Kratt brothers.

- I'm Chris.

- I'm Martin.

And we are searching these frozen woods, for a very powerful creature.

This animal can survive for six months, in a hostile, freezing environment.

Because of its incredible creature powers.

[Martin] Chris, see anything?

[Chris] Nothing.

[Martin] Me neither.

[Chris] Where are they?

(sighs) We are not having any luck.

No, you know what?

It could be time to lure 'em in.

You mean with food?

- Yeah.

- That could be dangerous.

I know, but we don't have a choice.

Alright bro, let's do it.

[Martin] Keep your eyes peeled, they could be coming in from any direction.

Where are you?

[Chris] Martin, over there!

Amazing.

(Chris laughs) [Chris] Believe it or not, that's the creature we were looking for.

[Martin] The black capped chickadee!

(chirp sound) [Martin] Whoa, they're so cute, it's hard to imagine what creature powers chickadees can have.

How do they survive [Chris] in this co ld environment?

How do these tiny birds elude predators?

Where do they find food [Chris] to survive winter?

These little birds must have incredible creature powers.

We just have to find out what they are.

Imagine if we could do what the chickadee can do?

Imagine if we had chickadee powers?

[Both] What if?

(theme song) ♪ On adventure with the coolest creatures ♪ From the oceans to the trees ♪ The brothers Kratt are going places you never get to see ♪ Hanging with their creature friends ♪ Get ready it's the hour ♪ We're gonna save some animals today with ♪ creature power ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ gonna go wild, wild, wi ld Kratts, Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ gonna go wild, wild, wild ♪ Cheetah speed and lizard glide ♪ Falcon flight and lion pride ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ gonna go wild, wild, wi ld Kratts, Wild Kratts ♪ Gonna go wild with Wild Kratts ♪ gonna go wild, wild, Wild Kratts ♪ go wild, wild, Wild Kratts [Martin] The Erminator.

[Chris] Winter's coming, I've gotta get these seeds planted.

(background music) [Chris] Huh?

Where'd the seeds go?

(chirping sound) Hey... (Martin laughs) Did you put them up to that Martin?

No bro, that was 100% chickadee.

Not me.

(Chris laughs) I'm never gonna get these sunflower seeds planted with a flock of chickadees around.

[Chris] Easy there, you hungry birds!

Aw, you got all my seeds.

[Martin] Hey, these chickadees have to eat what they can find.

True, they do have to make sure they eat enough food to survive through the harsh winter.

[Jimmy Z] No they don't.

Birds just fly south for the winter.

Yeah, how can they stay here in the cold?

[Aviva] They're so tiny, cu te and delicate.

Even big, tough birds, like Canada geese fly south for the winter.

Yeah, you're right about the Canada goose flying south for the winter, but wrong about the chickadee.

There are a lot of birds that stay north in the winter.

Like woodpeckers.

And blue jays.

Fine, maybe blue jays.

[Koki] They're tough.

[Jimmy Z] And hide acorns remember?

[All] But not chickadees!

I'm telling ya, chickadees can tough it out.

They're pint sized, but powerful.

Powerful?

Okay, so prove it.

I propose a challenge.

If you can show me some powers of this little bird, then I'll make you a chickadee power suit.

(Martin gasps) [Both] A chickadee power suit?!

You're on!

Okay, for starters, chickadees got chops.

[Martin] Check it out.

(bird sound) Chickadees get bullied by blue jays.

But they don't back down.

They're brave and quick and tricky.

[Chris] So, check.

(check mark sound) One chickadee power to start the list.

Okay, I can give you that.

I also see right away that they are quick and agile flyers.

They're so small!

How can they survive the cold without... Having an incredible amount of warm feathers?

[Chris] Well, late in the summer, the chickadee finishes growing a new set of warm feathers for the winter.

And they also have this really cool, I mean really warm, trick of puffing up their feathers, [Martin] making them 25% bigger.

Chickadees even look more like cute, little, round puff balls wh en they do that, right?

The puffed up feathers trap warm air that stays warm, insulated by the feather layers.

And keeps the chickadee nice and toasty.

And what about the other trick?

[Chris] On cold nights, the chickadee can drop its body temperature so low, that it goes into a state of hypothermia.

That saves energy.

But they're not sleeping now.

Gotta follow em.

[Chris] And make observations.

[Martin] We'll be back, with more evidence of chickadee power soon.

(sound of woodpecker) - Knock, knock?

- Who's there?

- Wood.

- Wood, who.

Would you please help me find that woodpecker?

(Martin laughs, woodpecker sounds) No!

We've gotta stay focused on [Chris] getting a list of chickadee powers.

Stop getting distracted by other animals, bro.

But, that's a woodpecker!

But we're creature adventuring with chickadees.

Chris!

You've gotta see this!

Actually, my distraction has led us right to another - chickadee power.

- Huh?

[Martin] See?

There's the wood pecker.

Destroying the rotten wood with his powerful beak.

He reaches the hibernating insect larvae, and has a meal.

And here comes, a chickadee!

Chickadees love to eat insects and insect larvae.

And what better way to get at insects in winter, than with a little help from a woodpecker.

[Chris] The chickadee scavenges off the hole the wood pecker makes.

These little puff ba lls are smart.

Exactamundo!

Check!

(check mark sound) Alright, we've got some good stuff here.

Oh hey, I've got more sunflower seeds.

[Chris] To survive the cold, the chickadee has to put on about 10% more weight everyday for the winter.

But the chickadees aren't eating these seeds.

[Martin] Hmm, what are they up to?

What?

They're caching the seeds.

Storing them to eat later.

Well, you know what they say about food caching birds.

They are smart.

Chickadees can remember where they hide food throughout the forest.

And then go back la ter to get it.

That's another wow fact.

And another chickadee power.

(check mark sound) [Chris] High intelligence, great memory... Hey, that's cool!

Yeah, I think so too.

[Chris] Totally cool.

We've got a great list of chickadee abilities.

Let's go show Aviva and get some chickadee powers!

You game, Martin?

Martin?

Martin!

Martin!!

[Chris] Oh no.

Martin left his Creature Pod.

(upbeat music) ♪ (Martin catches his breath) Huh?

[Martin] Whoa, an ermine!

(sniffs) Oh, I've gotta tell everybody!

This is Blue Back-Pack calling.

Shoot!

I left my Creature Pod somewhere.

Oh no, but I can't lose that ermine!

Hey, you've already got your distinctive winter coat.

[Martin] That is one amazing thing about you guys.

In the summer you're brown, and then you change white, in the winter.

Oh, that's because you grow an amazingly warm and very white coat of fur for winter.

It's amazing that you can grow it in as quickly as two weeks.

Oh, that is a cool creature power.

It's like, seasonal camouflage.

[Martin] In fact, seasonal camouflage is exactly what it is.

Hmm, he left his Creature Pod.

He must have been so excited about chickadee powers, that he ran back to the Tortuga and left it behind.

[Chris] To the Tortuga!

[Martin] What are yo u looking at?

A Snow-shoe hare!

(suspenseful music) ♪ [Martin] These great rabbits of the north, turn white in winter too.

Uh, but is the ermine really hunting that?

The snow shoe hare is like five times bigger.

Yup, that's what he's doing.

Wow, these little creatures are super courageous.

[Martin] Uh, whoa!

(hissing sound) Fearless!

That's the weasel spirit!

(dramatic music) Whoa.

Ooo, what a kick!

[Martin] Well, the snow shoe hare got away this time.

But you sure are tough and courageous.

And when it comes to being a predator, you're like a... terminator!

That's it!

Oh, I've got a name for you.

[Martin] You're, the erminator.

[Chris] Hey everybody!

I got the list of chickadee observations.

Or did Martin already tell you?

Martin's not here.

Huh, oh.

He must have taken the long way.

But he'll be here soon.

Check it out Aviva!

We've got the proof that chickadees are [Chris] powerful creatures.

Here's the list!

[Chris] One, brave, quick and tricky.

Two, fast and agile flyers.

Three, a new set of warm feathers for the winter.

Four, hides food all around the forest in special places.

Including my hair!

I guess.

Five.

Has the intelligence and memory to find them again.

And six... [Chris] Can even get a little help from a woodpecker to eat some fresh insects.

Bravo!

You have successfully completed the challenge.

So I will commence chickadee power programming.

I could start with the blue jay disc for a foundation.

[Aviva] But when using another disc, it's always vitally important for cross-expunge-delete, to eliminate the re sidual activation code.

Don't want any ghost activations right?

Hey, what are you doing?

Aw, that's okay.

You are plucky little things.

I like you, have a snack!

Yes, check.

Got it.

If I write this bit of code, that will incorporate the quick footing flight patterns...

Okay, got it.

Got it!

Getting closer.

Aw, Martin better get here soon.

Or he's gonna miss the, ta da!

[Chris] Chickadee power programming complete moment.

Hey erminator, wanna hear a knock knock joke?

(sniffs) Oh, never mind.

I don't think you'd get it.

(wood pecker sound) Wood pecker!

(upbeat music) ♪ (wood pecker noise) Ooh, I love these guys.

(wood pecker noise) Are you kidding me, erminator?

That's a pileated woodpecker.

[Martin] The largest wood pe cker in North America.

And he's a lot bigger than you.

Uh, and did you notice the beak that destroys wood?

I wouldn't mess with him if I were you.

[Martin] Erminator, you are one of the most fearless animals in the creature world, bu t you're not seriously thinking about attacking a huge, pileated woodpecker!

Are you?

[Aviva] Almost there and Ta da!

Chickadee power programming [Aviva] complete.

Coming at ya, Chris!

Thanks!

Insert chickadee power disc.

[Chris] Touch... Ooooo, ha.

Touch chickadee.

[Chris] Activate ch ickadee power!

♪ Aww, cute!

Still not really seeing the power.

(wood pecker noise) [Martin] Oh no!

He's taking off!

Hang on, erminator!

(background music) ♪ Don't let go!

What...erminator!

Hang on, erminator!

(crashing thud) Oh no!

(Martin gasps) Oh no, [Martin] you're hurt.

I'll take you back to the Tortuga.

And we'll fix you up, okay?

[Martin] Hang in there, buddy!

[Chris] Woohoo, let's get ou tside and see what this chickadee power suit can do.

It's snowing again.

I'm up for the first snow shoe trip of winter.

You?

[Chris] Come on!

Uhh, I guess.

[Aviva] Yeah, let's see ho w the chickadee powers can handle a snow storm.

Help, help!

We need the first aid kit.

Anybody here?

Help!

help!

(echo) Help, help, help!

Okay, I've seen this done a bunch of times, I think I can do it.

[Martin] Scan body functions... Normal.

Okay, no concussion.

Ooh, but his leg's injured.

Put the bandage on wound... Hey buddy, you'll be just fine.

You just need some rest, and you'll be up and erminating again in no time!

Ha, you know, technology is kind of easy.

I wonder... What if [Martin] I could program an ermin power disc?

[Chris] Woohoo!

Chickadee dee dee!

Chickadee dee dee!

Chickadee dee dee!

Glad someone's having fun.

See guys?

My chickadee powers work great against these winds!

[Chris] Hoo, hoo!

Yeah, but we don't have chickadee powers.

And now it's turning into freezing rain.

Time to head back to the Tortuga.

Koki, which way?

My coms are frozen!

So that means... We can't find the Tortuga!

[Martin] Aviva, come in.

Koki, you there?

Hmm, their coms are down.

That's not good.

I wonder where they are.

Oo, I bet I could find them with ermine power.

Okay, I know I can do it!

I've seen Aviva program creature power discs hundreds of times.

[Martin] Plus, it's not like I'm making it from scratch.

I mean,I could take the black footed ferret, and the pine martin discs.

All in the weasel family, close relatives to the ermine.

And now, I could use that programming base and, [Martin] add a little ermine DNA?

Hmm, nice helix.

Then, I'll push the button here and... [Martin] let technology take care of the rest.

I really gotta find the gang.

[Martin] So this better work out or I'm gonna be in trouble.

Hey, not bad!

Let's just hope it works.

Insert ermine power disc.

[Martin] Touch ermine.

Activate ermine powers!

It worked!

I did it!

Technology is easy.

[Chris] This way guys!

The storm's getting worse!

(shivers) We've got to get back to the Tortuga.

It's so icy!

[Jimmy Z] Ohhh!!

Quick, come in here!

During a real bad storm, a chickadee can seek shelter under branches.

And look at this, they can shake and puff up their feathers to stay warm.

[Aviva] Yeah, (Aviva shivers) but we can't fit under there.

And we don't have feathers.

(Koki shivers) We've got to get back to the Tortuga.

We're freezing!

Okay, okay, let me try something.

I'm gonna fly high up above the storm, to send a message to Martin.

[Chris] Hang on.

Good luck!

Creature alert!

We're trapped in an ice storm.

It's bad, and the gang is freezing.

We need your help!

Oh yeah, these powers are ermine credible!

(static) [Chris] Creature alert!

We're trapped in an ice storm.

(static) Gang is freezing.

Need your help.

Okay, got their coordinates.

Stay here and rest up, erminator.

[Martin] I'm off to the Wild Kratt's rescue!

[Chris] Hey guys!

Oh no.

They're frozen!

Like human popsicles.

I don't have any creature powers to help them.

[Martin] Clear out, Chris!

Here comes the erminator 2.0 Thanks Martin.

Keep moving, Aviva.

So you don't freeze up again.

Hurry bro!

The ice keeps building.

[Chris] Jimmy's looking pretty cold!

Ermine powers will take on any challenge.

Thanks.

No prob!

[Martin] Now, Koki.

(crash sound) What?

The ice is too thick.

(woodpecker sound) Are you thinking what I'm thinking?

I think so.

You go!

I'll keep Aviva and Jimmy warm with the power of ermine fur.

[Chris] Back soon!

How about a warm ermine hug?

Yeah.

(shivers) C-c-c-ozy.

Oh yeah, that's the sound I'm after.

[Chris] It's just up ahead.

(woodpecker sound) There!

A pileated woodpecker.

Just the power I need.

Swap out with woodpecker power disc.

Touch woodpecker.

And... [Chris] activate wo odpecker power!

♪ Yes!

- Yeah!

- Hang in there, Koki.

A few taps here.

Some over here.

And, up here too.

Alright, one more tap should do it.

Ha!

(ice cracks) You're free!

- Thanks.

- Hey!

You thinking what I'm thinking?

I think I'm thinking, what you're thinking.

[Chris and Martin] Woodpecker power sled!

Setting to big size.

Alright, now snuggle into the warm tummy feathers.

Don't have to ask us twice.

[Jimmy and Koki] Yeah!

The wing feathers will shield you from the freezing rain.

No more ice.

(sighs) That's nice.

[Jimmy Z] And toasty.

And, the tail feathers will create the slide.

And ermine power, will provide the power.

- Ready Chris?

- Ready.

[Martin] Tortuga, here we come!

Glad you're feeling better, erminator.

Hey erminator, did a pretty good job programming the ermine power suit.

Am I right?

Hmm.

Yeah, you gotta admit, I'm pretty good at technology.

Yeah, right.

[Martin] Yeah!

Programming ermine powers was easy peasy!

(Martin laughs) Martin, did you remember to cross-expunge-delete, to eliminate the residual activation codes?

Uh no, what's that?

Well, put it this way.

If you don't, then the activation breaks down and your suit starts randomly cycling through past activations.

Ah.. (Martin yells) Like that.

Oh.

(crashing thud) Okay, okay, creature power suit programming isn't easy.

Help!

Huh?

Sorry, nothing I can do.

The suit just has to run its course and cycle through all the past activations.

(laughter) This might take a while.

Ooo, peregrine falcon powers.

My favourite!

Ahhh!

Mmmrrr!

(thunk) (laughter) Well, chickadee powers took some investigating to discover.

[Martin] We know, whatever they find in the fall and through the winter, they store, they hide, they cache.

And they have these amazing memories that they can remember where they hid [Martin] food for at least a month.

And go right back to that spot.

And we also know how they keep warm.

[Chris] They have lots of fl uffy feathers that they can fluff up in really cold weather, and keep nice, warm air trapped inside.

And one of the great creature powers of the chickadee, [Martin] is they are quick, nimble, little flyers.

They move around the forest, staying warm, [Martin] but also, they're quick enough to get away from predators.

Now, ermine powers, they are really in your face.

[Chris] Yeah, ermine's are one tough, little weasel.

With fur that changes color from brown in the summer, to white in the winter.

[Martin] They're quick and agile, just like... pine martens.

[Martin] Another member of the weasel family.

They look alot like ermine's, but their fur doesn't change colour with the seasons and they spend a lot of time in the trees.

[Chris] These guys are part of a group of animals called mustelids that include, badgers.

(hissing sound) [Chris] Badgers are tough carnivores who use their three inch claws to dig deep burrows.

[Martin] They're a tough member of the weasel family, but maybe even tougher, is the wolverine.

The wolverine is bigger an d is afraid of nothing.

Wolverines have even been known to chase away grizzly bears.

With their sharp claws an d bone crunching jaws, this is one creature you do n't want to mess with.

The same goes for skunks.

[Martin] Now skunks are definitely cute, but when you see that familiar white stripe, you better give lots of space, so you don't get sprayed.

Argh...P.U.!!!

[Chris] And some mustelids are specialized for the water.

Like... sea otters.

[Chris] Now these guys are really unique in the weasel world.

They'll spend almost their entire lives in the water.

Even eating while fl oating on their backs.

It's one cool creature.

You gotta respect the creature powers of the weasel family.

Keep on creature adventuring.

We'll see ya on the creature trail!

(theme song) ♪ [Chris] To find out more about cool animals [Martin] and collect your own Wild Kratt's creature powers, [Chris] go to the Wild Kratt's website [Martin] at pbskids.org [Both] We'll see you there!