SHOWS FOR YOUNGSTERS AND THEIR PARENTS TOO : Disney documentary for kids discovers all the ‘weird’ animals found at the zoos

PBS isn’t the only network that tries to offer educational and entertaining children’s documentaries. Ask independent producer Richard Jones, whose series of specials on dinosaurs (“Dinosaurs,” “More Dinosaurs”) have long been staples on the Disney Channel.

“We were beating that dinosaur drum long before it became popular,” he says.

Jones hopes for similar success with The Wondrous World of Weird Animals, a half-hour documentary on Disney that focuses on unusual animals from several zoos, including those in Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Barbara and London.

“It is a challenge to bring in educational programming children want to watch, something that isn’t hard-core educational,” says Jones from his Van Nuys production office.

Some of the “weird” animals include a two-headed snake at the L.A. Zoo (the reptile is no longer there), as well as an albino koala bear.

“With many shows set at zoos, you have animals sitting behind bars,” he says. “We were so fortunate to capture so many of them in their natural state of activity, interacting with others. We even got a sloth awake, which is very unusual!”

“Wondrous World” is hosted by radio personality Gary Owens and math-and-science teacher turned improvisational comic Eric Boardman (both hosted the dinosaur programs). “They’re both very game in dealing with the animals. Eric let them crawl all over his head. We have a shot where you see a New Zealand cuscus digging his claws into his scalp.”

Jones, who is the producer-writer-director of “Wondrous World,” sees the special as the second part in a larger animal series. “Wondrous World” focuses on terrestrial, or land, animals. His follow-up shows will focus on sea life and insects.

“The Wondrous World of Weird Animals” airs Tuesday at 8:30 p.m. and Wednesday at 5:30 a.m. on the Disney Channel. For ages 5 and up.

*

Dot, Yakko and Wakko embark on another adventure parody this week. In “Space Probed,” the Warners are abducted by aliens interested in inspecting earthlings, but all they get are Animaniacs running amok on their spaceship. The captives end up inspecting the captors and chaos ensues.

And, in another episode, The Brain and his none-too-bright sidekick, Pinky, plot and scheme to pirate the earth’s television airwaves in the animated short “Battle for the Planet.” The duo end up on TV screens nationwide in an effort to scare the population into thinking the world is in grave danger.

“Steven Spielberg Presents ‘Animaniacs’ ”: “Space Probed” and “Battle for the Planet” Monday at 4:30 p.m. on Fox. For ages 2 to 8.

More Family Shows

Paleoworld (Sunday 9 p.m. The Learning Channel) takes a look at “Missing Links,” which examines the discovery of fossilized skulls in Java. The find has led archeologists to believe that human-like creatures first appeared on Earth more than 2 million years ago. For ages 10 and up.

*

The classic tale of George, a little monkey from Africa who’s adopted by the man with the yellow hat, is presented in clay animation as The Adventures of Curious George (Tuesday 6:30 p.m. Disney) comes to life. George goes to live with the man in the yellow hat and the furry one’s curiosity finds him in many adventures. For ages 2 to 8.