0:00:02 > 0:00:05This is Deadly 360,
0:00:05 > 0:00:08the show that pits three of the world's deadliest predators
0:00:08 > 0:00:10against their prey,
0:00:10 > 0:00:15examining their hunting strategies and their escape tactics
0:00:15 > 0:00:17from every angle.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20By delving beneath the fur and feathers we find out
0:00:20 > 0:00:23why a hunt succeeds
0:00:23 > 0:00:26and why they sometimes fail.
0:00:26 > 0:00:27One thing is certain,
0:00:27 > 0:00:31prey animals are anything but sitting ducks.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34Their defensive strategies keep them alive.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39And push predators to the limits.
0:00:40 > 0:00:42Prepare for Deadly 360.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48This is a Deadly 360 mission control,
0:00:48 > 0:00:52where all of today's action and analysis takes place.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57We have access to some of the most enthralling hunts
0:00:57 > 0:00:59that have ever been caught on camera.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01I've recreated three of the most exciting
0:01:01 > 0:01:04and analysed them from a variety of different angles
0:01:04 > 0:01:06in true 360 degree style.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11The predators we're looking at have to find and catch food
0:01:11 > 0:01:12or they just won't make it.
0:01:12 > 0:01:14In the wild world,
0:01:14 > 0:01:18simply managing to survive is the greatest challenge of all.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20I present to you the crocodiles.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27In today's line-up we meet the Nile crocodile,
0:01:27 > 0:01:29an armoured ambush hunter.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34We also meet the caiman, a fishing expert from South America.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39And in the waters of Australia,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42we reveal the world's largest crocodilian,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44the saltwater crocodile.
0:01:44 > 0:01:47A reptile that's not afraid to jump for its prey.
0:01:47 > 0:01:51Three crocodiles, three very different hunting strategies,
0:01:51 > 0:01:52all deadly.
0:01:52 > 0:01:54They look invincible,
0:01:54 > 0:01:57but there's a continual arms race going on in nature
0:01:57 > 0:02:00which ensures that prey animals are always evolving
0:02:00 > 0:02:03spectacular ways of taking care of themselves.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Today's line-up of defenders include the wildebeest,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11a long-distance runner with a surprising turn of speed.
0:02:13 > 0:02:17And the most feared fish of them all, the piranha.
0:02:18 > 0:02:23Plus, in Australia, we investigate the fruit bat's escape techniques.
0:02:23 > 0:02:26So, I've introduced you to all of our contenders,
0:02:26 > 0:02:30now it's time to meet our first deadly duo going head-to-head.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35The first predator is the daddy of all the African reptiles,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37the Nile crocodile.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Perfect planned ambushes are their speciality.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45And up against it is this, the wildebeest.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48They may look like big, bulky beasts, but don't be fooled.
0:02:48 > 0:02:52They are extremely agile with some pretty nifty moves.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59But which animal has the edge in the race for life?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01It's time to go Deadly 360.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08We join this hunt to find the wildebeest at the water
0:03:08 > 0:03:11taking a well-earned drink after trekking hundreds of miles
0:03:11 > 0:03:15across the plains in search of fresh feeding grounds.
0:03:15 > 0:03:20But they are unaware of the danger lurking underneath the water.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24It looks like the prey is in serious trouble.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But how did it get there and is there any chance it might survive?
0:03:27 > 0:03:29To answer these questions,
0:03:29 > 0:03:33we're going to have to wind back to the start of the hunt
0:03:33 > 0:03:37and find out what's happening that leads up to this strike.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43The first thing to show you is where in the world they live.
0:03:43 > 0:03:46Well, this hunt happened in east Africa, in the Masai Mara.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54The Mara River flows 245 miles through the plains
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and is crucial to grazing animals like the wildebeest.
0:03:57 > 0:04:01Around 1.3 million cross this river on their annual migration.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04The Mara also provides refreshment on their marathon journey
0:04:04 > 0:04:08as they are unable to go without water for longer than a few days.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11But this also happens to be home to the Nile crocodile.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14He's always on the lookout for a meaty meal
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and the wildebeest have just wandered into his backyard.
0:04:21 > 0:04:23So, we've set the scene,
0:04:23 > 0:04:26but how do these animals operate in this environment
0:04:26 > 0:04:28and what attributes do they have
0:04:28 > 0:04:31that might tip the balance in their favour?
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Crocodiles may look prehistoric but they have hi-tech weapons on board.
0:04:36 > 0:04:40And don't be fooled by their drowsy demeanour,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42crocodiles have explosive speed.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51Once they've locked on to their prey, jaws slam shut
0:04:51 > 0:04:54with a bite that's probably the strongest in Africa.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57With all that to help it hunt,
0:04:57 > 0:05:00you'd think our predator would have no trouble making a kill,
0:05:00 > 0:05:04but our prey also has some pretty nifty means of defence.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09Wildebeest have superb escape tactics.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12First, living in a herd has its advantages.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14They know that if they stick together
0:05:14 > 0:05:17it's harder for attackers to single one out.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Add to that their reactions
0:05:19 > 0:05:24and the ability to leap 2.5 metres in the air and it's no easy target.
0:05:26 > 0:05:28Well, based on all of that,
0:05:28 > 0:05:31I'd say this is going to be a pretty interesting hunt.
0:05:31 > 0:05:32Let's see how it unfolds.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36We join the beginning of the hunt down at the Mara River.
0:05:36 > 0:05:38The crocodiles are ready and waiting
0:05:38 > 0:05:41for an event that will last for the next two weeks.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44The wildebeest migration needs to cross the flow.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46And they've arrived.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49But it takes a lot of skill and cunning
0:05:49 > 0:05:51to sneak up on this number of wildebeest,
0:05:51 > 0:05:54and Nile crocodiles are the masters of ambush.
0:05:54 > 0:05:58The crocodile's body shape is critical
0:05:58 > 0:06:00in allowing it to hunt prey that's out of the water
0:06:00 > 0:06:02while it remains submerged.
0:06:02 > 0:06:05The eyes and nostrils are on the top of the head
0:06:05 > 0:06:09so the whole body can stay under water but it can still see its prey.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Now it's clocked where the animals are,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14it's going to drop under the water, close the eyes
0:06:14 > 0:06:16and go into complete stealth mode.
0:06:16 > 0:06:20The water is too murky for it to use its sight under water anyway
0:06:20 > 0:06:23so it switches to using tiny pressure receptors on the jaw
0:06:23 > 0:06:27which pick up vibrations made by animals at the water's edge.
0:06:27 > 0:06:31This enables it to sneak right up close.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Meanwhile, having travelled hundreds of miles on their migration,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37the wildebeest need to drink.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42They are now in the crocodile's sight.
0:06:42 > 0:06:46So what means of defence do they have against an attack?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52Wildebeest haven't really evolved to escape from crocodiles.
0:06:52 > 0:06:57Their main predator is lions so their body shape is very much built
0:06:57 > 0:07:00to get away from that land-based predator.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03They've got this huge set of horns and very large head
0:07:03 > 0:07:08and this huge muscular neck is to support that weight.
0:07:08 > 0:07:11But it also means they've got a lot of muscle at the front
0:07:11 > 0:07:15which is great for springing away with the front legs.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17It can drive backwards with great force and speed
0:07:17 > 0:07:20and that's going to give it a real chance of escape,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24even from a prehistoric predator like the crocodile.
0:07:24 > 0:07:26Let's see what happens.
0:07:26 > 0:07:28Right, back to the hunt.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31With the wildebeest finally at the river,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34the crocodile has just one chance to make a kill.
0:07:34 > 0:07:35If he's successful today,
0:07:35 > 0:07:38it will be enough food to keep him going for a year.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Even if the croc does manage to catch its prey,
0:07:41 > 0:07:43that's only the start of the challenge.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46A crocodile's jaws don't move side to side,
0:07:46 > 0:07:48they only move in the vertical plane.
0:07:48 > 0:07:52They need to take a bite, engage those massive neck muscles
0:07:52 > 0:07:55and then start rolling around
0:07:55 > 0:07:58to tear chunks of flesh out of their prey.
0:07:58 > 0:08:00Sometimes you might have four or five crocs
0:08:00 > 0:08:03all getting stuck into one animal.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07Each one can devour as much as a quarter of a tonne of meat
0:08:07 > 0:08:08in one sitting.
0:08:08 > 0:08:14Which is kind of like me eating 150 hamburgers. Nice!
0:08:15 > 0:08:18There are very few animals that have skulls as dramatic
0:08:18 > 0:08:21as you will find in a large crocodilian.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25This one belongs to a Nile crocodile.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28I've worked out the length of this animal based on this skull.
0:08:28 > 0:08:30About four metres long, which means that it was a male.
0:08:30 > 0:08:34Females don't get to be that big. And it is incredibly impressive.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38First of all, that's down to the boniness of the skull.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40It is incredibly heavy.
0:08:40 > 0:08:44But also the massive muscles that drive that bite.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46Those are fixed here.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49They're like balloons at the back of the jaw
0:08:49 > 0:08:52and they come right in to the inside of the skull.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55They can close that jaw with phenomenal force.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58The teeth are pretty spectacular too.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Crocodiles have between 60 and 80, usually,
0:09:01 > 0:09:04and those are continually replaced throughout its life.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09A crocodile of this size could have gone through 45 sets of teeth,
0:09:09 > 0:09:12continually replacing them as they're broken while it feeds.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15Right, let's go back to the hunt.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21After positioning himself just a few metres from the wildebeest,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24he's now ready to make his move.
0:09:25 > 0:09:28A crocodile can capture prey within about a body length,
0:09:28 > 0:09:31but he's got to hit his target first time.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35He swipes his muscular tail.
0:09:35 > 0:09:39This will launch him with explosive speed out of the water.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Wow! That has to be worth an action replay.
0:09:45 > 0:09:49OK, you can see the crocodile is pretty much exploding
0:09:49 > 0:09:52out of the water, jaws wide open.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54To protect the eyes, he has to close them,
0:09:54 > 0:09:57and that means he's striking blind.
0:09:57 > 0:09:59As soon as one of the animals reacted,
0:09:59 > 0:10:01all of the others go off at the same time
0:10:01 > 0:10:04and our crocodile has missed.
0:10:04 > 0:10:06In fact, he's in danger of getting stomped.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09Let's watch that back again. You can see that as the croc lunges,
0:10:09 > 0:10:14the wildebeest are leaping about 2.5 metres into the air.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17That really is one lucky wildebeest.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19This gives a signal to everyone in the herd
0:10:19 > 0:10:24and they are all scattering in every different direction.
0:10:24 > 0:10:26The croc's cover is pretty much blown.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28He's going to have to wait for a long time
0:10:28 > 0:10:31before they come back down to drink.
0:10:33 > 0:10:38The Nile crocodile's ambush attack is successful about 30% of the time,
0:10:38 > 0:10:41which is pretty good, really, especially when you consider
0:10:41 > 0:10:44this animal could go without a meal for many months.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47It really seems that although the wildebeest was lucky this time,
0:10:47 > 0:10:50in the future, he might not get away with it.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54So the Nile crocodile may have explosive speed,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56punching power and deadly jaws...
0:10:59 > 0:11:03..but the wildebeest's safety in numbers, reactions
0:11:03 > 0:11:06and agility really prove they are no easy meal.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15Now on to our next pair of hunters locked in a battle for survival.
0:11:15 > 0:11:16This is the black caiman,
0:11:16 > 0:11:20an aquatic athlete with quite a turn of speed.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24And up against it is this,
0:11:24 > 0:11:27the most feared fish of all, red-bellied piranhas.
0:11:27 > 0:11:31But which has the edge in the race for life?
0:11:31 > 0:11:33It's time to go Deadly 360.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41Once again we join the action in the final stages of the hunt.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45The caiman has detected the prey and is ready to strike.
0:11:45 > 0:11:49The next few seconds will decide the outcome.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Well, based on size alone, it looks like the prey is done for,
0:11:54 > 0:11:57but don't give up hope just yet.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59It's very rarely as simple as that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:03Let's rewind to the start of the hunt and begin our investigation.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06So where are we?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09We're travelling west across the Atlantic to South America
0:12:09 > 0:12:12and the largest tropical rainforest on earth,
0:12:12 > 0:12:13where the Amazon River flows,
0:12:13 > 0:12:16bringing with it an abundance of wildlife.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19This is home to the caiman.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21They live in these freshwater habitats
0:12:21 > 0:12:24where there's plenty of prey to hunt.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28And piranha are also a common sight in these waters.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31Living in shoals of around 20 or 30, they tend to hang about
0:12:31 > 0:12:34in the same areas of the river, feeding mostly on fish,
0:12:34 > 0:12:38but they're not afraid to attack anything en masse.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40So that's our location,
0:12:40 > 0:12:43but what sort of attributes do our predator and prey have
0:12:43 > 0:12:46that will give them an advantage in this kind of environment?
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Firstly, there's the caiman's scissor-like jaws,
0:12:50 > 0:12:52designed for snapping at prey.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56Add to that a tail that measures 40% of its total length
0:12:56 > 0:12:59and propels him through the water at speed.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02And, finally, his aquatic tricks.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05They really have to be seen to be believed.
0:13:06 > 0:13:07So those are the weapons
0:13:07 > 0:13:10our predator will be unleashing on its target.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12But what about the animal in the firing line?
0:13:12 > 0:13:14What has it got to protect itself?
0:13:15 > 0:13:20Well, the piranha's first defence are these - scalpel-sharp teeth.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24They're designed to slice through and tear off flesh in one movement.
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Add to that sheer weight in numbers and nippy speed
0:13:29 > 0:13:31and they're certainly no pushover.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38OK, now we have all the background, let's get the hunt under way.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41It's mid-morning and the caimans are basking in the sun.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47Like other crocodilians, caiman are cold-blooded
0:13:47 > 0:13:49and rely on the sun to recharge their batteries
0:13:49 > 0:13:51and get them moving.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57But how does this work?
0:13:57 > 0:14:01The caiman has special flat, bony plates that run down its back.
0:14:01 > 0:14:06These act almost like solar panels, absorbing the heat from the sun.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10This can be used as energy, which the caiman needs to begin hunting.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16And when it does go hunting, it demonstrates superlative agility.
0:14:16 > 0:14:19The secret to this is in its muscles.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22Crocodiles have muscles which are perfect
0:14:22 > 0:14:25for short bursts of explosive speed.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28That explosive speed is all down to special adaptations
0:14:28 > 0:14:31in the caiman's body shape.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35OK, I didn't want to bring a fully-grown black caiman
0:14:35 > 0:14:39into the studio because they can get to be over five metres long
0:14:39 > 0:14:41and they could have eaten the cameraman
0:14:41 > 0:14:44so I've got this rather delightful hatchling.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47He's no more than a few months old and, at this size,
0:14:47 > 0:14:51will just be feeding on insects and aquatic invertebrates,
0:14:51 > 0:14:55but the body plan is basically the same so it allows me to show you
0:14:55 > 0:14:58where he gets that incredible explosive power.
0:14:58 > 0:15:03The tail is flattened and, at the base,
0:15:03 > 0:15:06it's very broad and packed full of muscle.
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Whereas, at the tip, it's much more slender
0:15:09 > 0:15:13and really it's pretty much just scales.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16All the force is being generated up here
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and the tail moves side to side in a sinuous kind of movement,
0:15:20 > 0:15:22but it can be thrashed
0:15:22 > 0:15:25to drive the crocodile forward with enormous speed.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29Right, let's see them in action.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Back in the hunt, the caiman's patrolling the waters,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36keeping an eye out for a meal.
0:15:36 > 0:15:40While he's cruising, let's check out the piranha's defences.
0:15:40 > 0:15:45The first mechanism the piranha has for evading predators
0:15:45 > 0:15:47is sticking together in a shoal.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50There are lots of eyes watching out for danger
0:15:50 > 0:15:55and it means a predator has to struggle to pick out one fish.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58In fact, it's possible that piranhas, en masse,
0:15:58 > 0:16:03could attack the caiman, causing it to give up its meal.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Also, the piranha's shape is hydrodynamic.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08That means it's very streamlined in water.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11If you look at the top and the bottom of the fish, it's keeled,
0:16:11 > 0:16:14very like the underside of a boat.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17They can accelerate to incredible speeds very quickly.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22In fact, they would probably be the equal of any speedboat.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I've had a lot of encounters with piranhas.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27They're quite common fish in the area they occur.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30But this one in Argentina was probably the one
0:16:30 > 0:16:33that showed off those extraordinary jaws and super sharp teeth
0:16:33 > 0:16:37to its very best effect. Have a look at this.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41I'm now about to show you one of the most awesome sets of gnashers
0:16:41 > 0:16:43you'll ever see in the animal kingdom.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Hopefully without losing one of my fingers.
0:16:46 > 0:16:48Ooh!
0:16:51 > 0:16:54Look at those!
0:16:55 > 0:16:58The teeth are fiercely, fiercely sharp
0:16:58 > 0:17:04and they interlock with the teeth on the upper jaw here,
0:17:04 > 0:17:12forming a vicious trap that it uses to munch into other fish
0:17:12 > 0:17:16and animals that are unlucky enough to be struggling in these waters.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20And to show you just how sharp their teeth are, watch this.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28Did you see how it went through that?
0:17:28 > 0:17:30That was like a chainsaw through chocolate!
0:17:31 > 0:17:33That's what I call sharp.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39It's clear that our predator is up against a formidable prey species
0:17:39 > 0:17:42but what can tip the balance in its favour?
0:17:42 > 0:17:47Caimans are in the alligator family and have a short and a broad snout
0:17:47 > 0:17:49which give them a powerful bite.
0:17:49 > 0:17:53If you look inside the mouth, they have between 72 and 76
0:17:53 > 0:17:56cone-shaped and very sharp-ended teeth.
0:17:56 > 0:18:01These are great for snatching prey but not very good at chewing it
0:18:01 > 0:18:05so everything has to be swallowed whole. Not great for a piranha(!)
0:18:06 > 0:18:08Let's rejoin the hunt.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11The caiman has a potential meal in its sight,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14but to pick one out is no easy task.
0:18:14 > 0:18:19He relies on a clever tactic to break up the shoal.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22It's time for a bit of head-banging.
0:18:23 > 0:18:26So what on earth is going on here?
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Whoa!
0:18:29 > 0:18:31Let's take a closer look at this.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Using huge muscles at the base of the tail,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36he's powering himself through the water,
0:18:36 > 0:18:38down into the fish and causing total panic
0:18:38 > 0:18:42but, in the commotion, has he caught himself a fish?
0:18:50 > 0:18:55Success! That hunt was pretty much perfect.
0:18:57 > 0:19:01So two of the most feared predators of the Amazon basin
0:19:01 > 0:19:04with two of the most impressive sets of teeth came face-to-face
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and, this time around, the caiman was victorious.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13The piranhas' shoaling, sharp teeth and swift swimming
0:19:13 > 0:19:18wasn't enough against the caiman's mix of athletic agility,
0:19:18 > 0:19:20snap strength
0:19:20 > 0:19:22and pace.
0:19:26 > 0:19:31This is our last deadly duo locked in a battle for life or death.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35For the predators, it's the largest of all living reptiles,
0:19:35 > 0:19:37the saltwater crocodile.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41Unlike the Nile and the caiman, these guys live in fresh water
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and sea water, making them phenomenal predators.
0:19:45 > 0:19:50Up against it is this, one of Australia's largest bats,
0:19:50 > 0:19:53the black flying fox or fruit bat.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57But which animal has the edge in the race for survival?
0:19:57 > 0:20:00It's time to go 360.
0:20:05 > 0:20:09It's the final moments of the hunt. The bats are roosting, unaware.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13The croc has locked on to its prey and is about to spring an attack.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16The bat looks like a sitting target.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22If we freeze the action at this crucial moment,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26who do the odds favour, the predator or the prey?
0:20:26 > 0:20:28To find out, let's take it back to the start
0:20:28 > 0:20:31and examine the hunt in forensic detail.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36First up, let's find out where this is all happening.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39We're travelling further south to Australia
0:20:39 > 0:20:41and the Northern Territories.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44These waters are abundant with wildlife.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50It's these animals that attract the cunning salty.
0:20:50 > 0:20:54He's an opportunistic hunter, capable of taking anything
0:20:54 > 0:20:58that enters his territory, whether that's in water or on dry land.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01And along these rivers live Australian fruit bats.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Living in colonies tens of thousands of animals strong,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07they enjoy a plentiful supply of fresh food
0:21:07 > 0:21:09from the tropical forests.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14So that's the location, let's meet the animals.
0:21:15 > 0:21:18This is a crocodile who creeps up on his tea.
0:21:19 > 0:21:22His tail can measure 50% of the body length
0:21:22 > 0:21:25and can launch him three metres out of the water.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28The jaw has 68 teeth
0:21:28 > 0:21:32that are driven downwards with a force of two tonnes.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37It looks like we're dealing with a sophisticated hunter.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41How is the prey going to stay out of this predator's clutches?
0:21:42 > 0:21:46This fruit bat is one of the largest bats to be found in Australia.
0:21:46 > 0:21:47With excellent eyesight,
0:21:47 > 0:21:50they can see up to six metres away even in dim light.
0:21:50 > 0:21:53They have a wingspan of over a metre
0:21:53 > 0:21:56and can fly at speeds of up to 25mph.
0:21:56 > 0:21:59Handy when they need to make a quick getaway.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02So we have two very different animals,
0:22:02 > 0:22:05but which one is going to come out on top in this hunt?
0:22:05 > 0:22:06Let's find out.
0:22:08 > 0:22:10As day breaks, the fruit bats are returning
0:22:10 > 0:22:14after a long night foraging on fruit and nectar.
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Many bats roost in holes, out of sight of predators,
0:22:18 > 0:22:21but these are too big, so they have to sleep out in the open.
0:22:21 > 0:22:27The salty needs to plan his attack as bats are very sensitive prey.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30Waiting until they're roosting gives him the best chance.
0:22:30 > 0:22:33He'll also have to get much closer to the colony
0:22:33 > 0:22:36and to do this, he needs to be invisible,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38so he heads underwater.
0:22:41 > 0:22:46As the croc starts swimming in deep water, his whole body shape changes.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It pulls the legs into its side to increase its streamlining.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51All of the swimming power is coming from the tail.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54That is until he gets down to the river bed.
0:22:54 > 0:22:58While he's on the bottom, he'll walk along using his feet.
0:22:58 > 0:23:01To be able to stay underwater for such a long time,
0:23:01 > 0:23:05the crocodile has some very neat adaptations.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08A crocodile's mouth, which is bristling with teeth,
0:23:08 > 0:23:11is anything but watertight.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14While it's at the surface, to prevent it swallowing water,
0:23:14 > 0:23:16it shuts off the back of the throat with a valve
0:23:16 > 0:23:18and can breathe through its nostrils.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Once the crocodile dives and is completely submerged,
0:23:22 > 0:23:24it's going to have to rely on its last breath of air.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28To make the most out of that it will slow its heart rate down
0:23:28 > 0:23:32to as little as two or three beats per minute.
0:23:32 > 0:23:35It also makes sure that the blood is only being sent
0:23:35 > 0:23:37to the vital parts of the body.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41The rest of it is pretty much in suspended animation.
0:23:41 > 0:23:43Because of this amazing ability
0:23:43 > 0:23:46to make the most of the oxygen that's left in its body,
0:23:46 > 0:23:50they can stay submerged for as much as two hours.
0:23:50 > 0:23:53Right, let's see a crocodile in full effect.
0:23:55 > 0:24:00The salty has positioned himself under the tree of roosting bats.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02He's now got to pinpoint the position of the fruit bat,
0:24:02 > 0:24:05and this is where he relies on sight.
0:24:05 > 0:24:09Crocodiles actually have three eyelids.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11There's the top and the bottom ones.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14These protect the eyes, particularly when it's hunting,
0:24:14 > 0:24:16but the third one is incredibly clever.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19This is called a nictitating membrane.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21It's semi-transparent and, underwater,
0:24:21 > 0:24:23if the visibility is good,
0:24:23 > 0:24:26it can still see using this when it's submerged.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's almost like a pair of goggles.
0:24:29 > 0:24:34With the potential meal in sight, the salty now comes to the surface.
0:24:34 > 0:24:38This is the critical moment. If the fruit bat spots him,
0:24:38 > 0:24:42he will fly off and, once it's airborne, they'll be gone.
0:24:45 > 0:24:49I've actually got a fruit bat in my hand right now.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52Unlike the insect-feeding bats, they don't echolocate,
0:24:52 > 0:24:56so it means their other senses have to make up for that.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59The eyes are much larger and much more acute
0:24:59 > 0:25:02than you'd find on an insect-feeding bat
0:25:02 > 0:25:04and that's going to be an advantage
0:25:04 > 0:25:07if a crocodile is coming flying up at you from below.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11But the main weapon this animal has is its powers of flight.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15Bats are the only mammals that can truly fly
0:25:15 > 0:25:17and they are exceptionally good at it.
0:25:17 > 0:25:21So this fruit bat will be hanging upside-down from a branch
0:25:21 > 0:25:24using those claws there, on the rear legs.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27When it decides it wants to take off, it will let go,
0:25:27 > 0:25:33and then spread these sublime wings.
0:25:33 > 0:25:39If I open that, you can just see that thin skin membrane
0:25:39 > 0:25:43which is in between the fingers.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46Using the membrane in between those fingers,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50it can flap and fly exceptionally well.
0:25:50 > 0:25:54Possibly well enough to escape a crocodile. Let's see.
0:25:55 > 0:25:58We're into the final stages of the hunt
0:25:58 > 0:26:01and the crocodile's patience has been rewarded.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05A bat is roosting several metres above him on a low-hanging branch.
0:26:06 > 0:26:11Unaware of the danger below it, the bat is now vulnerable.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15But will it spot the crocodile before it leaves the water?
0:26:15 > 0:26:18OK, here it goes.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21It uses its enormous three-metre tail
0:26:21 > 0:26:23to push itself off the riverbed,
0:26:23 > 0:26:27generating enough power to propel it vertically out of the water.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30Whoa! I'm just going to show you that in slow motion. Look at this.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Look how far that crocodile
0:26:32 > 0:26:36has managed to propel its body out of the water. That's phenomenal.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40The fruit bat has just noticed the crocodile coming
0:26:40 > 0:26:44at the last second but, honestly, he never stood a chance.
0:26:44 > 0:26:46A message to the fruit bats out there,
0:26:46 > 0:26:49roost a little higher off the water.
0:26:50 > 0:26:53The saltwater croc made the most of its opportunity
0:26:53 > 0:26:57but there's no doubt that this single, large, noisy strike
0:26:57 > 0:26:59will have scattered the entire fruit bat colony,
0:26:59 > 0:27:02so he's not going to be eating any more of them today.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05It's a very small meal for a saltwater crocodile
0:27:05 > 0:27:08so it's difficult to say he's really been victorious.
0:27:08 > 0:27:13The fruit bat's sight, nifty flight and speed
0:27:13 > 0:27:16meant it wasn't easy prey for the croc.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21But his ambush attack, wily skills and crushing jaws
0:27:21 > 0:27:24were on target today.
0:27:28 > 0:27:32The crocodilians have been around for about 200 million years.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34They've seen the arrival of the dinosaurs
0:27:34 > 0:27:37and the disappearance of the dinosaurs and they are still here.
0:27:37 > 0:27:39There's a reason for that.
0:27:39 > 0:27:44These animals are survivors, with speed, power and patience.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47That's all we've got time for.
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Join us next time as three more pairs of animals go head-to-head
0:27:50 > 0:27:53and we analyse the action Deadly 360-style.
0:28:02 > 0:28:05Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:28:05 > 0:28:08E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk