Argentina Deadly 60


Argentina

Similar Content

Browse content similar to Argentina. Check below for episodes and series from the same categories and more!

Transcript


LineFromTo

My name's Steve Backshall.

0:00:020:00:05

This is my search for the Deadly 60.

0:00:060:00:09

Amazing!

0:00:100:00:12

Not just deadly to me, but deadly in their own world.

0:00:120:00:17

My crew and I are travelling the planet,

0:00:170:00:20

and you're coming every step of the way.

0:00:200:00:23

This time on Deadly 60, we're in the Ibera wetlands of Argentina.

0:00:300:00:35

It's a swamp the size of a small country, and we're looking for predators in these waters.

0:00:350:00:41

Argentina is the second biggest country in South America.

0:00:430:00:48

2,000 miles from north to south,

0:00:480:00:50

there's a massive variety of landscapes.

0:00:500:00:53

We've chosen this marshland because lurking in the swamps

0:00:530:00:58

are some truly ferocious beasts.

0:00:580:01:01

We're based in a cattle ranch right at the water's edge.

0:01:030:01:09

Joining me are my trusty crew.

0:01:090:01:11

Just like me, they were all born in the saddle.

0:01:110:01:15

And that's lucky, because it's the best way to get around.

0:01:150:01:19

Yee-ha!

0:01:270:01:30

Horseback's a fantastic way to look for wildlife for a bunch of reasons.

0:01:330:01:38

Horses move at a natural pace.

0:01:380:01:40

They're unlikely to frighten animals. They're quiet.

0:01:400:01:43

In the marshes, it has an extra advantage - elevation.

0:01:430:01:48

I'm twice as far off the ground as I would be if I was walking.

0:01:480:01:53

I can see beyond the rushes

0:01:530:01:55

and also look down into the water and see what lies beneath.

0:01:550:01:59

'We need all the height we can get.

0:01:590:02:02

'We're looking for the king of camouflage, the yellow anaconda.

0:02:020:02:08

'This stealthy serpent is a swamp specialist.

0:02:080:02:12

'When it's in the water, it can hold its breath for over half an hour.

0:02:120:02:18

'Armed with an awesome turn of speed and strong muscular body,

0:02:180:02:22

'the anaconda is a master of constriction.

0:02:220:02:27

'Its sit-and-wait strategy is perfect for hunting in the marshes.'

0:02:270:02:32

It'll lie in wait for days, weeks, sometimes months on end.

0:02:320:02:37

Its eyes and nostrils are on top of its head,

0:02:370:02:40

so it can leave the minimum exposed.

0:02:400:02:44

Which makes it difficult for its prey to spot,

0:02:440:02:47

but also very difficult for us to spot, too.

0:02:470:02:52

We could be here some time.

0:02:520:02:55

'The plan is to ride around the area

0:02:550:02:57

'hoping the horses' hooves will disturb a snake.

0:02:570:03:01

'With luck, we'll see it move.

0:03:010:03:04

'It's a bit like looking for a camouflaged needle

0:03:040:03:07

'in a haystack the size of a small country.'

0:03:070:03:11

It's quite spooky, what could be lying beneath this stuff.

0:03:110:03:17

'We come across some of the strangest animals in the area.

0:03:170:03:22

'These giant rodents are called capybara.

0:03:220:03:27

'They're a favourite snack for our anaconda,'

0:03:270:03:31

-SNORTS

-'That is a warning call,

0:03:310:03:34

'alerting other capybara that we're around.

0:03:340:03:38

'We'd been riding for three hours when when our patience is rewarded.'

0:03:380:03:43

Something's in here.

0:03:430:03:45

Can you take my reins?

0:03:470:03:50

'It could be what we're looking for. Time to get off and investigate.'

0:03:500:03:56

< I saw something else move.

0:04:030:04:06

'The water's been stirred up by our horses.

0:04:070:04:11

'Everyone has their eyes peeled for the smallest movements.

0:04:110:04:16

'Especially under foot.

0:04:180:04:20

'Just as we're about to give up, my foot hits something hard.'

0:04:270:04:34

Aargh!

0:04:350:04:36

That was a caiman.

0:04:360:04:38

And I've just been given a really nasty bite.

0:04:380:04:42

'With all the knowledge and planning in the world,

0:04:420:04:46

'there's always a risk when working with wild animals.'

0:04:460:04:50

Oh, dear.

0:04:500:04:52

I've just had one of my first nasty bites from an animal.

0:04:520:04:57

Trodden on a caiman and it's whipped round...

0:04:570:05:00

..and taken a chunk out of my leg.

0:05:020:05:05

So, unfortunately, anaconda hunting is off for the rest of the day.

0:05:050:05:11

'I'm a little shaken, but OK.

0:05:110:05:14

'After a crocodile bite, I have to get my cut properly disinfected.

0:05:140:05:20

'So it's off to the doctor, but our snake hunt certainly isn't over.'

0:05:200:05:25

'The next morning, it's time to get a look at the animal that bit me.

0:05:290:05:34

'Nearby is a lagoon that's absolutely loaded with caimans.'

0:05:340:05:39

It's 24 hours since my disagreement with a spectacled caiman.

0:05:390:05:45

I've been all patched up.

0:05:450:05:47

It's a bit sore but I can still walk all right.

0:05:470:05:51

The last thing I want is people thinking that spectacled caiman

0:05:510:05:56

are evil monsters lurking in the mud waiting for a person to walk past

0:05:560:06:00

so they can pounce on them.

0:06:000:06:02

Spectacled caimans are one of the least aggressive crocodilians towards people.

0:06:020:06:08

Unless you step on one like I did!

0:06:080:06:11

'First, we've got to get close to one. And here's how.'

0:06:130:06:17

What I'm hoping is...

0:06:170:06:20

I can make some vibrations in the water...

0:06:200:06:24

..and they'll think that it's a struggling animal, and investigate.

0:06:250:06:30

Keep your eyes open, guys.

0:06:300:06:32

'It doesn't take long for them to sense us.'

0:06:320:06:36

See those eyes above the surface?

0:06:360:06:40

He's definitely got his eyes on me.

0:06:400:06:44

Look at that!

0:06:470:06:49

'They're coming in surprisingly fast.'

0:06:490:06:53

Everything about its profile is perfect for its method of hunting.

0:06:530:06:59

Even in water this shallow,

0:06:590:07:01

the only thing above the surface are the eyes and nostrils.

0:07:010:07:06

So he can breathe

0:07:060:07:08

and get a good look at what he's thinking of hunting.

0:07:080:07:13

'Unusually for spectacled caiman, this one seems unafraid of people.'

0:07:130:07:18

He might even come up out of the water if we give him a bit of space.

0:07:210:07:27

Here he comes.

0:07:270:07:30

'This caiman is about the same size as the one that bit me.

0:07:300:07:34

'We're getting a better look than I dared to hope for.'

0:07:340:07:38

Look at that mouth!

0:07:500:07:53

'75 curved cone-shaped teeth with the muscle behind them

0:07:530:07:57

'for one of the most powerful bites in the animal kingdom.

0:07:570:08:01

'The teeth punch through the upper jaw, a lethal trap for its victim.'

0:08:010:08:07

The reason it's known as the spectacled caiman

0:08:070:08:11

is between the eyes there's a boney ridge that looks like

0:08:110:08:15

the bridge on a pair of glasses.

0:08:150:08:18

Now we've got one that's being friendly,

0:08:180:08:22

what I'd like to do is to show you one hunting.

0:08:220:08:25

To do that, we head back into the water.

0:08:250:08:29

'The idea is to draw a fish right past me.

0:08:310:08:35

'Using a tiny underwater camera, I'll show you a wild caiman

0:08:350:08:40

'snapping at its prey.'

0:08:400:08:43

See how cautious he is because we're here.

0:08:430:08:47

In this situation, spectacled caiman would keep away from people.

0:08:470:08:52

So even though there's that yummy fish reward, he's a bit nervous.

0:08:520:08:59

'Caiman are opportunists, so it doesn't take him long.'

0:08:590:09:03

Look at this. He's getting over his natural nerves.

0:09:030:09:08

Oh, wow!

0:09:100:09:13

This is quite a strange sensation.

0:09:140:09:17

Being this close to a crocodile in the water,

0:09:170:09:23

looking into its mouth.

0:09:230:09:26

When he sinks below the water like that, he completely disappears.

0:09:260:09:32

'With vibration sensors round their mouth

0:09:320:09:35

'spectacled caiman detect tiny movements.

0:09:350:09:39

'A specialised heart means they can hold their breath for over an hour.

0:09:390:09:45

'But when they flick the switch, their speed is sensational.

0:09:450:09:49

'Virtually nothing escapes those jaws.'

0:09:490:09:52

Whoa! It's got the fish!

0:09:580:10:01

I never thought I'd be able to be this close

0:10:010:10:05

to a wild crocodilian feeding.

0:10:050:10:08

Give it a good pull!

0:10:130:10:15

Supper time!

0:10:150:10:17

Yes!

0:10:180:10:21

He's going to lift his head out the water

0:10:210:10:24

and throw that fish back in one gulp.

0:10:240:10:29

'Having seen it hunting, and experienced its weapons first-hand,

0:10:290:10:33

'I know it's not a human-hunter but a super-charged predator.

0:10:330:10:37

The spectacled caiman - fish-munching,

0:10:370:10:41

capybara-crunching,

0:10:410:10:43

absolutely awesome, and on the Deadly 60.

0:10:430:10:48

'One animal down, it's time for some well-earned grub

0:11:120:11:16

'before we head into the night to see what we can find.

0:11:160:11:21

'We decide to explore a small patch of woodland

0:11:210:11:25

'laden with roosting birds.

0:11:250:11:27

'There's a chance that where there's prey, predators are lurking.

0:11:270:11:32

'No sooner have we set foot, than we're causing a stir.'

0:11:320:11:36

Hundreds of birds peacefully sleeping and we're waking them up.

0:11:360:11:42

Sorry.

0:11:420:11:45

'And, try as we might, we can't get them to sit still.'

0:11:450:11:50

WINGS FLAP

0:11:500:11:52

'Surprisingly, the noise works in our favour.'

0:11:520:11:56

There's two foxes just beyond our gaze.

0:11:560:12:01

And I think they'll stay just at that distance away from us.

0:12:020:12:09

'The foxes are prowling around this bird roost, looking for eggs

0:12:090:12:14

'or possibly dead chicks.'

0:12:140:12:16

Chances of a shot? Zero.

0:12:200:12:22

'The director has a trick up his sleeve - imitating the noise of an animal in distress.'

0:12:220:12:28

SQUAWKING

0:12:280:12:30

No way?!

0:12:320:12:35

WHISPERS: Shine the torch.

0:12:350:12:38

Carry on, Giles. Do it again.

0:12:380:12:40

SCREECHING AND SQUAWKING

0:12:400:12:43

WHISPERS: Bingo.

0:12:500:12:52

'And this one seems remarkably relaxed.'

0:12:530:12:57

It's wonderful. These foxes were keeping a very respectable distance from us,

0:13:040:13:10

until Giles, our director, pulled an old trick out the bag.

0:13:100:13:15

He made the noise of a dying rabbit

0:13:150:13:18

and they've both come to within metres of us.

0:13:180:13:21

He's really rather beautiful, isn't he?

0:13:210:13:26

There's a valuable lesson learnt.

0:13:280:13:31

If you can't go to the animals, get them to come to you by making noises and conning them.

0:13:310:13:37

'In no time at all, the new day arrives.

0:13:400:13:44

'It's back on the hunt for deadly animals.

0:13:440:13:47

'With my leg too sore for anaconda hunting on horseback, we're looking for the infamous piranha.

0:13:470:13:53

'The best way to see these feisty fish is with a rod

0:13:530:13:57

'and a chunk of meat.'

0:13:570:13:59

How do I cast this thing?

0:13:590:14:02

'Time to catch ourselves a piranha, and it doesn't take long.'

0:14:020:14:07

Ooh. Have something. I've got piranha already.

0:14:070:14:11

There are several species of piranhas in these waterways.

0:14:170:14:22

This is a smaller one.

0:14:220:14:24

Beautiful yellow colours.

0:14:240:14:26

Black bar down the tail.

0:14:260:14:28

This isn't what we're looking for.

0:14:280:14:31

There's a species of piranha in here that dwarfs this baby.

0:14:310:14:35

That's what we're hoping to catch.

0:14:350:14:38

I want to wash my fingers but I don't want to put them in the water.

0:14:410:14:47

More bait, please.

0:14:470:14:49

Bite, little fishy.

0:14:490:14:52

'Piranhas are virtually throwing themselves into the boat,

0:14:530:14:57

'but not the ones we're after.'

0:14:570:15:00

Is this the same species as before?

0:15:000:15:02

A piranha has bitten through the hook.

0:15:040:15:07

-Really?

-I think that was a monster.

0:15:070:15:10

'Big ones are definitely out there.'

0:15:100:15:13

Er... More bait, please?

0:15:230:15:25

'But even the monsters can't avoid us for ever.'

0:15:270:15:31

Yay! Good catch!

0:15:310:15:34

Now, THAT is a piranha.

0:15:400:15:43

This is the real deal.

0:15:430:15:45

Local people call these "the brave piranha".

0:15:460:15:50

Also, "the yellow", from the wonderful yellow belly.

0:15:500:15:54

I'm now about to show you one of the most awesome sets of gnashers

0:15:540:15:59

you'll see in the animal kingdom.

0:15:590:16:02

Hopefully, without losing one of my fingers.

0:16:020:16:05

-STEVE GASPS

-Look at those!

0:16:090:16:13

The teeth are fiercely sharp.

0:16:140:16:17

They interlock with the teeth on the upper jaw.

0:16:170:16:21

Forming a vicious trap that it uses to munch into other fish

0:16:230:16:31

and animals unlucky enough to be struggling in these waters.

0:16:310:16:35

'To show you how sharp their teeth are, watch this.'

0:16:350:16:40

Did you see that?

0:16:440:16:46

Like a chainsaw through chocolate. That's what I call sharp.

0:16:460:16:51

When the water's murky, I wouldn't think of getting in with these guys.

0:16:540:17:00

But I have a plan for showing you how piranhas feed.

0:17:000:17:04

Yes, it is going to involve me going swimming with some.

0:17:040:17:08

Come on then, fella.

0:17:080:17:10

Wa-hay!

0:17:120:17:14

Love it!

0:17:140:17:16

They don't seem to be biting.

0:17:160:17:19

-You boys got anything?

-Nothing. Not even a nibble.

0:17:190:17:23

We've found ourselves a sheltered lagoon. The water is much clearer.

0:17:280:17:33

I'm hoping that this is piranha paradise, but there's only one way to find out, and that's to jump in.

0:17:330:17:41

Yeah. Good luck, Steve! STEVE LAUGHS

0:17:410:17:44

'The water is clear so piranhas will be able to see what they're biting

0:17:440:17:50

'and, hopefully, give me a wide berth.

0:17:500:17:54

'I've got a wet suit and gloves, to act as a sort of armour,

0:17:540:17:58

'and a big bit of steak for bait.'

0:17:580:18:00

I'm in piranha-infested waters!

0:18:010:18:04

'With a camera under water,

0:18:040:18:06

'we'll see anything that comes to investigate.

0:18:060:18:09

'It took less than five seconds for piranhas to find our steak.'

0:18:090:18:15

Look at the size of that one!

0:18:150:18:17

It's starting to happen!

0:18:170:18:21

Once we get a few of those showing interest,

0:18:210:18:24

all of its fellow piranhas will pick up the signals.

0:18:240:18:28

They'll start feeding and that's when it gets spectacular.

0:18:280:18:32

'The piranha picks up vibrations

0:18:320:18:34

'with tiny hair cells called a lateral line.

0:18:340:18:38

'Vibrations coupled with the scent of blood act like a dinner bell.'

0:18:380:18:44

Look at that!

0:18:440:18:46

They're going absolutely crazy.

0:18:460:18:50

They are tearing the meat to shreds.

0:18:500:18:53

'After 30 seconds, the number of piranhas has trebled,

0:18:530:18:57

'as they race in from hundreds of metres away.'

0:18:570:19:00

They come in at great speed

0:19:000:19:03

and sink those interlocking surgical scalpel-sharp teeth into the meat,

0:19:030:19:08

then wrench away, using all of their bulk,

0:19:080:19:11

taking a great big chunk of meat.

0:19:110:19:14

Then the next one comes in.

0:19:140:19:17

It's like a conveyor belt of frenzied fish. It's just incredible.

0:19:170:19:23

'Piranhas don't hang around

0:19:230:19:25

'because many of their colleagues are cannibals.

0:19:250:19:29

'This constant darting around makes it look like the water's boiling.'

0:19:290:19:35

This is just one of the phenomenal displays of predatory behaviour

0:19:350:19:41

you'll ever see.

0:19:410:19:43

The water is thick with fish.

0:19:430:19:46

'And, only three minutes later...'

0:19:460:19:50

Look at this!

0:19:500:19:52

Look what's left of our meat!

0:19:520:19:55

They've totally destroyed it.

0:19:550:19:58

A few little sad bits of bone left.

0:19:590:20:02

And I'm stood here, hoping that my wet suit's gonna protect me.

0:20:030:20:09

Whose idea was this, anyway?

0:20:090:20:11

'I've just been in amongst

0:20:110:20:14

'one of the most fearsome feeding frenzies in the animal kingdom.'

0:20:140:20:18

I don't think anyone's going to doubt piranhas have got to go on the Deadly 60.

0:20:180:20:25

-Can I get out now, please?

-LAUGHING >

0:20:250:20:28

'Two days after our painful setback, my leg's healed enough

0:20:490:20:53

'to get back on the trail of our yellow anaconda.'

0:20:530:20:56

Ride 'em, cowboy! Yee-ha!

0:20:560:21:00

'We've only got one more afternoon so we're doing everything we can to maximise our chances.'

0:21:000:21:06

We have such a vast area of swampy land to cover.

0:21:060:21:11

We're trying to spread out so we can cover as much ground as we can.

0:21:110:21:17

'It's not long before we find something intriguing.'

0:21:170:21:21

This is really interesting.

0:21:230:21:25

This big area of dry vegetation is an old caiman nest.

0:21:250:21:33

Around here are loads of baby caiman,

0:21:330:21:36

just the kind of food our anaconda would love to get stuck into.

0:21:360:21:41

'There's as many as 40 miniature crocs and I have to show you one.'

0:21:410:21:46

Success.

0:21:480:21:50

Anyone that thinks that crocodiles are nasty evil killing machines,

0:21:520:22:00

have a look at that!

0:22:000:22:02

That has to be one of the prettiest, cutest critters you will ever see.

0:22:020:22:09

No more than just a few days old.

0:22:090:22:12

Isn't that beautiful?

0:22:120:22:15

SQUEAKS

0:22:150:22:17

Do you hear that sound?

0:22:170:22:20

That's the call to all the others to duck below the surface.

0:22:200:22:25

Little splashes going off around me all the time

0:22:250:22:29

from all his brothers and sisters.

0:22:290:22:31

Isn't he wonderful?

0:22:310:22:34

That call is not just going to tell the other hatchlings to stay quiet.

0:22:360:22:42

It's also going to bring Mum in.

0:22:420:22:44

She is a fantastic mother and takes great care of her young.

0:22:440:22:48

The last thing we want to do is upset her so, for this little guy,

0:22:480:22:53

it's back to the pond.

0:22:530:22:55

Absolutely champion.

0:23:030:23:05

'With all these tasty morsels, it seems like the perfect spot

0:23:050:23:10

'to hunt for our anaconda on foot.

0:23:100:23:13

'But our anaconda camo-killers are just too expert at not being seen.

0:23:190:23:24

'Eventually, our time's up. We have to head home.

0:23:320:23:36

'But all is not lost.

0:23:360:23:39

'This wild anaconda was rescued from being squished on the road.

0:23:400:23:44

'It's time to release it.'

0:23:440:23:47

So this isn't a tame snake.

0:23:470:23:50

Which is why I'm not handling it with my bare hands.

0:23:500:23:54

Will it let me just get it out?

0:23:560:23:59

So...

0:24:050:24:08

this beautiful snake is a yellow anaconda.

0:24:080:24:13

It's actually quite a small one.

0:24:130:24:16

This snake can get up to four metres, the big females.

0:24:160:24:20

As it's opening its mouth,

0:24:200:24:24

it's revealing the rows of razor-sharp teeth.

0:24:240:24:29

They're like needles and they all point back towards the throat.

0:24:290:24:33

Once it's got a hold of prey,

0:24:330:24:36

it's almost impossible for them to escape.

0:24:360:24:40

Look how those teeth point backwards, into the mouth.

0:24:400:24:46

Even though this is a non-venomous snake, a bite would be very painful.

0:24:480:24:53

Obviously, yellow anacondas don't eat people.

0:24:530:24:56

What they eat is the water birds and small mammals

0:24:560:25:00

around the swamp where they live.

0:25:000:25:02

'This may not see me as prey,

0:25:020:25:05

'but he's giving me a good example of how they overpower their victim.'

0:25:050:25:10

This little male

0:25:100:25:12

is transmitting an enormous amount of power into my hand.

0:25:120:25:17

Look how it's doing it.

0:25:170:25:19

It's wrapped several coils around

0:25:190:25:21

and then has this extra coil going lengthways across it

0:25:210:25:26

that it's using to anchor itself.

0:25:260:25:28

Just increasing its grip and its squeeze.

0:25:280:25:32

That is like the firmest handshake I've ever had!

0:25:340:25:39

If I was to allow that to continue,

0:25:390:25:42

it would probably start breaking my hand bones.

0:25:420:25:45

Ow!

0:25:450:25:47

I wasn't joking. This will actually start to break my hand pretty soon.

0:25:500:25:55

'I need to get him off as quickly and carefully as I can.'

0:25:550:26:00

Ugh! Wow!

0:26:000:26:03

Can I help? >

0:26:040:26:06

That is a perfect example of how strong

0:26:060:26:11

the yellow anaconda can be.

0:26:110:26:14

Almost brought me to my knees.

0:26:140:26:16

'That strength is backed up by acute senses.'

0:26:160:26:20

Look at that tongue flicking out.

0:26:200:26:23

This is the prime method of sense for snakes.

0:26:230:26:26

Drawing in molecules of taste and smell from the air,

0:26:260:26:30

and processing them in their mouths.

0:26:300:26:33

OK, back to the swamps where he belongs.

0:26:330:26:37

Let's go.

0:26:370:26:39

'100 metres away, we find the perfect spot.

0:26:390:26:42

'Time to do our bit for snake conservation.'

0:26:420:26:47

This is about as perfect a habitat as you will ever see.

0:26:470:26:53

So, back to the swamp for our beautiful yellow anaconda.

0:26:530:26:59

Look how quickly he disappears.

0:27:030:27:06

That's why yellow anacondas have to go on the Deadly 60.

0:27:060:27:11

You would never know he was there.

0:27:110:27:14

'Next time...'

0:27:360:27:37

This is just extraordinary.

0:27:370:27:41

That is an ENORMOUS snake.

0:27:460:27:49

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:28:050:28:08

Download Subtitles

SRT

ASS