Alligator Deadly 60 Bites

On Deadly 60, I've had loads of incredible animal encounters.

Here's just one of my many favourites.

This is Deadly 60...Bites!

Whoa!

We've come to the Silver Springs in Central Florida

to search for the infamous alligator.

The Silver River is about as pristine and perfect a habitat

as you'll find anywhere in the world.

There are an enormous amount of catfish, of gar, of turtles,

of terrapins. And all of those are going to make food for alligators.

Just to the right.

-Oh, yeah, a big one.

-Yeah, that's a big one.

He is impressive, look at that!

'We've filmed crocodilians many times on the Deadly 60,

'but one thing we haven't done is joined them in their watery world.

'Most of the time that would simply be too dangerous.

'But with these crystal clear springs,

'it could be the best place on Earth to swim with alligators.'

It all seems a little bit crazy for me to be getting into water

where we know there are loads and loads of alligators.

Well, I'm kind of banking on the clarity of the water.

I really think that we'll be able to see these animals coming

from quite a way away and be able to assess their intentions.

It doesn't mean that my heart isn't going a little bit crazy, though.

'I certainly wouldn't attempt this just anywhere.

'Alligators do occasionally attack people,

'so the whole crew is going to need to be on high alert

'if we're going to swim with one safely.'

-Keep your eyes on it, guys, and give me some feedback.

-OK.

Good luck.

'The conditions are perfect

and it's not long before I start to attract some attention.'

-Steve, gator!

-Gator.

Gator coming at you.

Quite close to the bank, still.

He's come up, he's come up.

'To be this close to a wild alligator in its own world,

'is a real thrill.'

-He's coming towards you.

-He's, he's... Steve, he's moving.

-Steve!

'But to stay out of danger,

'it's important to assess its intentions.'

He's come up, he's come up.

'It's breeding season,

'the time when males start to protect their territories,

'so they can get all the girls.

'It's likely that this gator sees me as a possible challenge.

'He's definitely sizing me up.

'It's critical to look as big and confident as possible,

'while not actually issuing a challenge back.

'He swims straight at me, and over my head.'

This is...a mesmerising...

..if slightly chilling experience!

'Clearly deciding I'm not a fitting rival,

'the gator drops to the bottom,

-'which means

-I

-can go in for a closer look.

'He could lie here motionless for hours. Not moving a muscle,

'the heart rate has slowed to practically nothing.

'It's one of the crocodile's great natural advantages.

'My own human lungs mean I can only spend a few precious moments

'with this prehistoric predator,

'but it's an experience I'll never forget.'

Alligators are without doubt on the Deadly 60.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd