In its ever-expanding library of educational
market titles, the DVD format can indulge all sorts of niche interests of the
animal world. That folks like to watch sharks is a foregone conclusion given our
collective cultural predilection for violence — heck, one cable channel devotes
a whole week of its programming each year to the glassy-eyed creatures — but
some of the littlest underwater organisms also get their due.

Yes, deep sea secrets and dispelled myths and rumors get a workout with
Shark Attack! and Kingdom of the Seahorse, both new to DVD from
WGBH Boston Video. The former charts a team of researchers who set out to track
movements of the titular predatory beasts, and along the way discover some
surprising truths about the way they kill. The footage here, some never before
available, is pretty amazing, including a shocking seal’s-eye view of one
attack. In fact, if cute albatross chicks and seal pups are your thing, best not
to sample this title. If you do, though, your curiosity will likely be piqued by
some of the questions raised herein, including whether or not tiger sharks are
developing an evolutionary or conditioned taste for human flesh. That you’ll be
left wanting more information about both that topic and more is a sign of the
hour-long disc’s only shortcoming — brevity.

Kingdom of the Seahorse, meanwhile, keeps the wetsuits but breaks out
the close-ups and zooms in an entirely different fashion, primarily exploring an
underwater enclave off the reefs of Australia. Big fans of the movie
Junior seahorses must be, because in their world it’s the males who get
pregnant and give birth. (No wonder they’re considered a source of sexual
prowess to proponents of traditional Chinese medicine!) Biologist Amanda Vincent
and others lend fascinating voice to this title, and point up the curious
creatures’ importance in the underwater ecosystem. B (Movies) C (Discs)