LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Animal Planet is set for a major programming push in January as the network will offer up eight original series during said month.

The lineup includes three newcomers: "Maneaters," which attempts to "unlock the mystery" behind the rise in human-animal conflicts; "Pit Boss," which features pit bull rehabilitator (and little person) Shorty Rossi; and the previously announced "Wild Recon," which follows "animal adventurer" Donald Schultz.

"Recon" and "Maneaters" will air Tuesdays at 9:00/8:00c and 10:00/9:00c, respectively, beginning January 5 while "Pit Boss" will roll out Saturday, January 16 at 10:00/9:00c.

All due in January: new episodes/seasons of "Animal Cops: Miami" (Mondays at 8:00/7:00c starting January 4), "I Shouldn't Be Alive" (Fridays at 9:00/8:00c starting January 15), "The Haunted" (Fridays at 10:00/9:00c starting January 15), "Underdog to Wonderdog" (Saturdays at 8:00/7:00c starting January 2) and "It's Me or the Dog" (Saturdays at 9:00/8:00c starting January 2).

Meanwhile, fellow Discovery sibling TLC will launch "The Imploders" on Thursday, December 17 at 8:00/7:00c. The hourlong project follows Advanced Explosives Demolition, a demolition company owned by Eric and Lisa Kelly. Among the featured sites: Reunion Arena in Dallas and Qwest Tower in Phoenix.