0:00:02 > 0:00:04My name's Steve Backshall!
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Woo!
0:00:05 > 0:00:10And this is my search... for the Deadly 60.
0:00:10 > 0:00:12That's not just animals that are deadly to me.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15But animals that are deadly in their own world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19My crew and I are travelling the planet.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23And you're coming with me... every step of the way.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33This time on Deadly 60,
0:00:33 > 0:00:36the team and I are in the Southern states of America.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It's home to some of the most famous wetlands and swamps
0:00:39 > 0:00:42found in the whole world.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46And where you find swamps, you get birds, bug, frogs and fish,
0:00:46 > 0:00:50and they provide food for some of the most important classic predators
0:00:50 > 0:00:51on Earth.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56So, let's get this show on the road
0:00:56 > 0:00:59and head out in search of our first killer critter.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03It's a true icon of this part of the world - the American alligator.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06Growing up to four metres long
0:01:06 > 0:01:09and weighing up to five times as much as me,
0:01:09 > 0:01:13these ancient beasts feed on just about anything they can catch -
0:01:13 > 0:01:17fish, turtles, snakes, birds and mammals.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27Small prey are swallowed whole, but larger prey are dragged underwater,
0:01:27 > 0:01:30drowned and then devoured in pieces.
0:01:34 > 0:01:39We've come to the Silver Springs in Central Florida to start our search.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46The Silver River is about as pristine and perfect a habitat
0:01:46 > 0:01:49as you'll find anywhere in the world.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52And the fact that there are such wonderful animals
0:01:52 > 0:01:55just about everywhere you look just kind of enhances the whole feeling
0:01:55 > 0:01:57of the place.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01There are an enormous amount of catfish, of gar, of turtles,
0:02:01 > 0:02:06of terrapins. And all of those are going to make food for alligators.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09The alligators will be much more tricky to see
0:02:09 > 0:02:11and even the large ones could be underneath you
0:02:11 > 0:02:14and you wouldn't know it until you were within a few feet of them.
0:02:14 > 0:02:17So this is going to be quite a challenge.
0:02:17 > 0:02:21But it wasn't long before a classic croc shape cruised into view.
0:02:21 > 0:02:22Just to the right.
0:02:22 > 0:02:25- Oh, yeah, a big one. - Yeah, that's a big one.
0:02:25 > 0:02:28He is impressive, look at that!
0:02:28 > 0:02:32'Alligators are clearly very common here and for every one we see,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34'there's probably ten we don't.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37'We've filmed crocodilians many times on the Deadly 60,
0:02:37 > 0:02:40'but one thing we haven't done is joined them in their watery world.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43'Most of the time that would simply be too dangerous.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46'But with these crystal clear springs,
0:02:46 > 0:02:49'it could be the best place on Earth to swim with alligators.'
0:02:50 > 0:02:54It all seems a little bit crazy for me to be getting into water
0:02:54 > 0:02:56where we know there are loads and loads of alligators.
0:02:56 > 0:02:59Well, I'm kind of banking on the clarity of the water.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02I really think that we'll be able to see these animals coming
0:03:02 > 0:03:06from quite a way away and be able to assess their intentions.
0:03:07 > 0:03:11It doesn't mean that my heart isn't going a little bit crazy, though.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16I certainly wouldn't attempt this just anywhere.
0:03:16 > 0:03:18Alligators do occasionally attack people,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21so the whole crew is going to need to be on high alert
0:03:21 > 0:03:24if we're going to swim with one safely.
0:03:25 > 0:03:30- The tree that's laying in the water. - Underneath?- Right in the middle.
0:03:30 > 0:03:34A likely contender is lying up close to the bank.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38This could be absolutely perfect. We have a good sized gator.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42He's probably at least as long as I am tall.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45Maybe six foot, perhaps two metres. Just under these branches here.
0:03:47 > 0:03:52'Once we're in the water, we'll move in as relaxed and confident a manner as possible
0:03:52 > 0:03:55'to avoid scaring the gator away or looking like prey.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59'Underwater cameraman Mark and I kit up as quickly as possible.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02'We're going to have to watch each other's backs.'
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- Keep your eyes on it, guys, and give me some feedback.- OK.
0:04:08 > 0:04:09Good luck.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19- It's coming towards you. - Steve, he's moving.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24'He's ever so slowly swimming, but staying close to the bank,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27'concealed by vegetation, so we can't see him.'
0:04:30 > 0:04:35I imagine from your angle there's a log that's blocking your view.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37Cos he's...
0:04:37 > 0:04:39Mark, let's get a look over here.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46'It seemed croc number one was more scared of us than we were of it.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50'But there's plenty more exploring to be done.'
0:04:51 > 0:04:55The fish with the elongated snout are gar.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57They're predatory animals.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00They would themselves, though, make very good food
0:05:00 > 0:05:03for a speedy alligator, if it had its wits about it.
0:05:06 > 0:05:07Let's move on.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11'The return of the alligator is a genuine wildlife success story.
0:05:11 > 0:05:13'Once persecuted and hunted,
0:05:13 > 0:05:16'they're now really common in the Southern states.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20'Almost anywhere in these springs could hide a lurking gator.'
0:05:22 > 0:05:25- How are you doing, Mark? You ready?- Thanks very much.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31This looked like a likely spot.
0:05:32 > 0:05:36'Underwater was perfect, like an aquatic film set.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39'All that was missing was an ancient alligator.'
0:05:39 > 0:05:41Gator coming at you.
0:05:44 > 0:05:46- Steve, gator!- Gator.
0:05:46 > 0:05:47Gator coming at you.
0:05:50 > 0:05:52Quite close to the bank, still.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00- He's right there.- He's still there. - Still right in the same spot.
0:06:03 > 0:06:06He's come up, he's come up.
0:06:15 > 0:06:19- He's coming towards you.- He's, he's... Steve, he's moving.- Steve!
0:06:19 > 0:06:22'While the other gators have kept well away,
0:06:22 > 0:06:24'this one noses in for a closer look.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:30He's come up, he's come up.
0:06:33 > 0:06:34'It's breeding season,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37'the time when males start to protect their territory,
0:06:37 > 0:06:39'so they can get all the girls.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42'It's likely that this gator sees me as a possible challenge.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44'He's definitely sizing me up.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47'It's important to look as big and confident as possible,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50'while not actually issuing a challenge back.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53'He swims straight at me, and over my head.'
0:06:56 > 0:07:00This is...a mesmerising...
0:07:02 > 0:07:05..if slightly chilling experience!
0:07:07 > 0:07:10'Clearly deciding I'm not a fitting rival,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14'the gator drops from the surface and down to the bottom.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18'He could lie here motionless for hours. Not moving a muscle,
0:07:18 > 0:07:21'the heart rate has slowed to practically nothing.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25'It's one of the crocodile's great natural advantages.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29'I can see it looking at me through that glassy, nictitating membrane,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32'the third eyelid which allows it to see underwater,
0:07:32 > 0:07:37'as well as the teeth spilling out of its stout, forceful snout
0:07:37 > 0:07:42'that probably delivers the most powerful bite on the continent.'
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Alligators are without doubt on the Deadly 60.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53Ungainly on land, these ancient beasts transform once underwater.
0:07:53 > 0:07:57They're opportunistic ambush predators that eat almost anything.
0:07:57 > 0:08:01With their powerful jaws, they seize their prey with a killer bite.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05Dramatic, enigmatic and definitely...
0:08:07 > 0:08:10On Deadly 60, we've always made a concerted effort to encompass
0:08:10 > 0:08:14the whole natural world. We've had deadly insects...
0:08:15 > 0:08:17..arachnids...
0:08:19 > 0:08:22..reptiles...
0:08:22 > 0:08:24- mammals... - TIGER ROARS
0:08:24 > 0:08:27..fish...
0:08:27 > 0:08:29and birds.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31Coming crashing into land!
0:08:31 > 0:08:34But there's one group of living things that we've largely ignored.
0:08:34 > 0:08:39Plants. And Florida is the perfect place to set that straight.
0:08:42 > 0:08:44Plants may not seem an obvious choice for the list,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46but these ones are quite exceptional.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49They eat meat.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55These sinister shrubs employ a range of ingenious methods
0:08:55 > 0:08:56to capture their prey.
0:08:56 > 0:09:02From enticing with sweet nectar to ensnaring, drowning or entombing.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05It's the stuff of horror stories.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08They may not chase their prey, but they're still perfect predators.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12And our first one is right here.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16This is a pitcher plant.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Essentially what this is is a modified leaf.
0:09:19 > 0:09:23It's sealed down here and the inside, down here,
0:09:23 > 0:09:26will have a certain amount of fluid in it.
0:09:26 > 0:09:28Right up here, around the lip,
0:09:28 > 0:09:30are secretions that are very, very sweet-smelling
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and will attract insects, but it's also quite slippery.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37And when they get up here, wandering around, looking for a tasty meal,
0:09:37 > 0:09:42they'll slip right down inside and drop into the pitfall trap,
0:09:42 > 0:09:46where their bodies are actually digested and eaten by the plant.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53These are our next carnivorous wonder.
0:09:53 > 0:09:56They're called sundews.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59They're covered with what looks like dew.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02That attracts in insects, which get stuck there.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06You can see there's a black fly there, little midge here.
0:10:06 > 0:10:08There are lots of species of sundew,
0:10:08 > 0:10:12and they all secrete enzymes which break the animal down
0:10:12 > 0:10:15so they can digest it. And that helps to supplement
0:10:15 > 0:10:18the nutrients that it'll get out of the soil.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Oh, wow, wow, wow, wow!
0:10:25 > 0:10:28I'm very, very careful where I kneel,
0:10:28 > 0:10:34because our champion carnivorous plant is kind of everywhere here.
0:10:34 > 0:10:37It's a Venus fly trap.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44So, this is kind of the plant equivalent of a bear trap.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51Inside there is an insect that at the moment
0:10:51 > 0:10:53is currently being digested.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59This is just incredible. It's almost unparalleled in the plant world.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01A plant that can snap shut.
0:11:03 > 0:11:06That can move with actual surprising speed.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14What's even more extraordinary
0:11:14 > 0:11:17is that these plants can actually count.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20There are tiny hairs lining the inside of the trap
0:11:20 > 0:11:22and as an insect wanders through them,
0:11:22 > 0:11:25it can If it trigger one hair once, no problem at all.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29If it triggers two simultaneously, the trap will shut.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32And once it's closed, there is no way that insect is getting away.
0:11:37 > 0:11:43So, imagine my stick is a little fly, it wanders in...
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- HE GASPS - Did you see how quick that was?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51That's incredible.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58The Venus fly trap.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02Not only can it hunt its food, it can also count.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05And for those reasons, it's on the list.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10A plant that can count.
0:12:10 > 0:12:15They lure in insects then snap shut, imprisoning them.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Prey is then dissolved with digestive acids, and absorbed.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23These meat-eating marvels are going on the list.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30The next creature that I'm hoping to find is, individually,
0:12:30 > 0:12:33one of the smallest we've ever considered for the Deadly 60.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35And they're hard to love,
0:12:35 > 0:12:39firstly because they're not supposed to be here at all.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45It's the fire ant.
0:12:45 > 0:12:48Native to South America, they were accidentally introduced to North America,
0:12:48 > 0:12:52and now there are more HERE than there are THERE.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56They're voracious insects, with a particularly painful sting.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Individually they may not look threatening,
0:12:58 > 0:13:01but they don't operate alone.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Working together, they're a formidable force.
0:13:07 > 0:13:10Fire ants really love to build their nests
0:13:10 > 0:13:12in the kind of disturbed habitat
0:13:12 > 0:13:15that you get alongside forest roads like this.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19So, all we're looking out for is a little mound which is hiding
0:13:19 > 0:13:23possibly as many as half a million little nuisances.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27That's one right there.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30Looks pretty good.
0:13:33 > 0:13:38That is a very distinctive fire ant nest.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42You can't really see much ant activity,
0:13:42 > 0:13:44most of that's going on underground at the moment.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47It's still early in the morning. But pretty soon, they're going to go off foraging.
0:13:47 > 0:13:51They'll be getting all sorts of food, from sun plant matter
0:13:51 > 0:13:56to dead and dying animals. Now, what I need to do now
0:13:56 > 0:13:57is get some ants out.
0:13:57 > 0:14:03OK, so as always on Deadly 60, I get stung so you don't have to.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07I'm just going to gently disturb the fire ants' nest.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13And almost instantly, look at that.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17There are thousands of ants pouring out everywhere.
0:14:17 > 0:14:18These are all females and they possess
0:14:18 > 0:14:21a really rather unpleasant sting.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24The venom is surprisingly strong for an animal of this size.
0:14:24 > 0:14:29But believe it or not, I'm going to show you how it works.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31Let's get some up on my fingers.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Ow!
0:14:35 > 0:14:37Argh... Right. Frame up as quickly as you can, Richard,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40cos that hurts like heck!
0:14:41 > 0:14:45- Ah...- Try and stay still.- Obviously the reason they're called fire ants
0:14:45 > 0:14:49is because the sting hurts like fire.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51It's an incredible burning sensation
0:14:51 > 0:14:55and the ant is essentially getting its mandibles, its mouth parts
0:14:55 > 0:15:00stuck into my skin, then injecting its venom with its abdomen.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04And they'll actually move around the spot where they've bitten
0:15:04 > 0:15:06and sting many, many, many times.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10An ant that is absolutely tiny, almost microscopic,
0:15:10 > 0:15:14is capable of scaring away an animal that's many, many times larger.
0:15:14 > 0:15:18Insects, reptiles, even people can be undone
0:15:18 > 0:15:21by the multiple stings of this cooperative army.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24Most do the sensible thing and get out the way.
0:15:26 > 0:15:29It's a very efficient way of getting rid of a threat.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32Efficient and incredibly painful.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37- Have you got it yet, Rich? - Yeah, we've got it.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41Ahhh, you little... Oh!
0:15:41 > 0:15:45Owwww! 'And that venom really works.'
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Obviously I think we'd all now like to go and leave this nest alone,
0:15:50 > 0:15:52but there's one more thing that I want to do before we go.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56Fire ants are not just good at protecting themselves,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58they're also superb foragers,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01and they can strip small, dead animals that are near to the nest
0:16:01 > 0:16:03to the bone in a matter of hours.
0:16:03 > 0:16:07So, we actually found a small dead frog nearby to here yesterday
0:16:07 > 0:16:10and what we're going to do is leave it close to the nest,
0:16:10 > 0:16:12and leave a camera filming it,
0:16:12 > 0:16:16and try and see quite how quickly these fire ants can demolish it.
0:16:16 > 0:16:20Ant societies are run through co-operation and collaboration,
0:16:20 > 0:16:23allowing them to accomplish great things.
0:16:28 > 0:16:31Looking at a fire ant nest at the surface,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34it kind of looks a bit crude. I mean, it's just a mound of sand.
0:16:34 > 0:16:39But going on down there is an unbelievably intricate ant society.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41It's very, very hard to see, though.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45If I was to dig down with a spade, the whole thing would just collapse.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47But I have got a plan,
0:16:47 > 0:16:52and it involves what's bubbling in this bin.
0:16:52 > 0:16:53Molten metal.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Ant expert Walter has been studying fire ants for years
0:16:58 > 0:17:01by making casts of the nests.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04So what'll happen now is that the metal will start to solidify
0:17:04 > 0:17:09and it'll form a perfect cast of the burrows.
0:17:09 > 0:17:14And it should show us the unbelievably complex world of the ant underground.
0:17:15 > 0:17:16After only a few minutes,
0:17:16 > 0:17:19the metal cools down and we can start digging.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Oh, sorry!
0:17:28 > 0:17:30Whoa, that was hot work.
0:17:36 > 0:17:39We're starting to uncover a real masterpiece.
0:17:43 > 0:17:47A little bit more chipping, some water to cool it down
0:17:47 > 0:17:49and the cast is really beginning to take shape.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58So we've finally revealed the twisted, contorted
0:17:58 > 0:18:02and really rather spectacular sculpture that is a kind of
0:18:02 > 0:18:04inside-out version of the fire ant city.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08And there's just a fantastic array
0:18:08 > 0:18:10of different chambers all over the place
0:18:10 > 0:18:13and obviously these are a great place for the ants to live,
0:18:13 > 0:18:16it's a place for the queens to lay the eggs
0:18:16 > 0:18:19and for the young to be raised. All of that created by ants
0:18:19 > 0:18:22whose heads are no bigger than a full stop.
0:18:22 > 0:18:25OK, let's go and see how our time lapse is getting on.
0:18:26 > 0:18:31Now we can speed up what we've filmed and see ants in action.
0:18:33 > 0:18:35Right, we are ready to roll, let's have a look.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39So there's our frog.
0:18:39 > 0:18:43And just frenetic activity.
0:18:43 > 0:18:47it's kind of being sucked dry from the inside-out.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51Some of these workers are coming in and they're taking the moist parts
0:18:51 > 0:18:52of the body from underneath the skin
0:18:52 > 0:18:59and just reducing it to a skeleton and taut, stretched skin
0:18:59 > 0:19:01over the top of it.
0:19:01 > 0:19:05That is absolutely grotesque.
0:19:07 > 0:19:08From a frog...
0:19:10 > 0:19:14..to mummified remnants. Incredible.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18And that's why the fire ant has got to go on my list.
0:19:21 > 0:19:25With a burning sting they can employ over and over again,
0:19:25 > 0:19:28working as a tenacious team
0:19:28 > 0:19:32to collectively strip a carcass within hours.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Complex, co-ordinated, prolific and...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42It's a little after nightfall and we're on the trail
0:19:42 > 0:19:47of a surprisingly numerous but nonetheless almost never-seen
0:19:47 > 0:19:50North American predator. It's the bobcat.
0:19:52 > 0:19:57They're classic wild cats, stealthy with big eyes, pointed canine teeth
0:19:57 > 0:19:58and bags of attitude.
0:19:58 > 0:20:03Using camouflage and cunning, these fierce feline stalks their prey
0:20:03 > 0:20:05then ambush it with a burst of speed,
0:20:05 > 0:20:08delivering a death blow with a leaping pounce
0:20:08 > 0:20:10that can cover three metres.
0:20:11 > 0:20:15They can take down prey that's much bigger than they are
0:20:15 > 0:20:18and are known to tackle as many as 40 different species of animal.
0:20:22 > 0:20:24To stand any chance of seeing one,
0:20:24 > 0:20:27we're enlisting some deadly technology.
0:20:27 > 0:20:30Local wildlife biologists have fitted radio collars
0:20:30 > 0:20:32to some of the resident bobcats.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36Our antenna should help us to zero in on their location.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40And once we get close, we've got one more trick up our sleeve.
0:20:40 > 0:20:46Thanks for that, Jim. This is a thermal imaging camera.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48They were originally designed by the military
0:20:48 > 0:20:51and they see in a completely different way to other cameras.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55What this actually does is picks up warmth.
0:20:55 > 0:21:00So, at the moment you can see Richard my cameraman.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02Thanks, Richard.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Simon the sound man.
0:21:05 > 0:21:08Hopefully the radio telemetry will get us close,
0:21:08 > 0:21:11and then this should get us a really good view of our bobcat.
0:21:14 > 0:21:16Bobcats have keen senses,
0:21:16 > 0:21:19so it's important to move slowly and quietly.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27- WHISPERS:- It seems like she's just down here,
0:21:27 > 0:21:29so we're going to turn all our lights off
0:21:29 > 0:21:32and wander down as quietly and discreetly as we possibly can,
0:21:32 > 0:21:35see if we can get a shot. So, lights off, everyone.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41Using the thermal imaging camera,
0:21:41 > 0:21:44we can see warm-blooded animals moving in the dark.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49This, plus the radio tracking equipment, should give us the edge.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Nooo!
0:21:51 > 0:21:56I've got my first glowing gremlin in the dark,
0:21:56 > 0:21:59which is unmistakably feline.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02It's our bobcat.
0:22:02 > 0:22:06She's just turning her head at the moment,
0:22:06 > 0:22:08keeping a very, very close eye on me.
0:22:08 > 0:22:13Can't be any more than about ten or maybe fifteen metres ahead of me.
0:22:13 > 0:22:16She's being very, very alert.
0:22:16 > 0:22:21Certainly completely aware of us and everything we're doing.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26No matter how cautiously we move, the cat is just one step ahead.
0:22:28 > 0:22:29They're so sly
0:22:29 > 0:22:33that they're just managing to be elusive for this evening.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I think our best chance actually of seeing this cat in all its majesty
0:22:37 > 0:22:38is to come back tomorrow,
0:22:38 > 0:22:42because Jim here has a very special plan for us.
0:22:48 > 0:22:51Jim and his assistant are hoping to fit a collar to another cat.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57So they've laid out around 20 bobcat traps overnight.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59If they've managed to capture one, we're going to help
0:22:59 > 0:23:01with the collaring process.
0:23:03 > 0:23:08Fingers crossed that this top cat has been prowling these dunes.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13This is a fairly old and dusty bobcat scat.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17It's full of mammal hair
0:23:17 > 0:23:21and that is a very decisive image
0:23:21 > 0:23:23of what this cat's been feeding on,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26because those are the incisors of a rat.
0:23:26 > 0:23:30Good sized rodents are going to be a really good portion of the diet
0:23:30 > 0:23:33of the bobcats here amongst the dunes.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Right, time to check the traps.
0:23:36 > 0:23:40We've got one right here.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43No more than a few metres in front of us,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45and you can barely see the trap,
0:23:45 > 0:23:49but there is the very distinctive, very beautiful face
0:23:49 > 0:23:52of a bobcat...
0:23:52 > 0:23:54staring back at us from the shadows.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58Great stuff, Jim. Right, what's our next move?
0:23:58 > 0:23:59So, we're going to go in and...
0:23:59 > 0:24:02'The scientists need to give the cat a sedative injection
0:24:02 > 0:24:04'that will put it to sleep.
0:24:04 > 0:24:07'Then they'll be able to do their work and fit the collar.'
0:24:07 > 0:24:08BOBCAT SNARLS
0:24:08 > 0:24:11'He's feisty and fierce. He may look a bit like a domestic cat,
0:24:11 > 0:24:16'but you can see there's no resemblance in attitude. He's truly wild.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23'The sedative is in. We just have to give it some time to take effect.
0:24:23 > 0:24:24'In the meantime,
0:24:24 > 0:24:27'the scientists take down details and prepare the equipment
0:24:27 > 0:24:29'before we head back in.'
0:24:30 > 0:24:33Well, he is good and asleep.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41So...
0:24:41 > 0:24:45This cat is essentially in exactly the same condition
0:24:45 > 0:24:48that you or I would be in if we had an operation and were given
0:24:48 > 0:24:49a general anaesthetic.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53Once it's given the drug to wake it up, it will be none the wiser,
0:24:53 > 0:24:55maybe a little bit groggy.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59But this is a unique opportunity to see this cat up close.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04This is what gives it its common name, the bobcat.
0:25:04 > 0:25:09The tail is very, very short and isn't going to get in the way
0:25:09 > 0:25:12while it's charging through all of this scrubby vegetation.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16So, I guess it's probably about three times the size
0:25:16 > 0:25:19of a domestic cat, and a domestic cat by itself
0:25:19 > 0:25:22is a pretty formidable predator.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25They're capable of taking down mostly rabbits and hares
0:25:25 > 0:25:27would be a lot of their diet, plus rodents.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29RODENTS SQUEAK
0:25:29 > 0:25:34But they can take down deer fawns and even fully-grown adults
0:25:34 > 0:25:35if they're not especially big.
0:25:35 > 0:25:39Like all cats, from your village tabby to a Bengal tiger,
0:25:39 > 0:25:41he's built for the kill.
0:25:41 > 0:25:46OK, that's just the nerves twitching. He's fine.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51'The claws are sheathed to keep them sharp.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54'They lend traction when climbing or can tear through hide
0:25:54 > 0:25:58'or catch a hold of prey. But the killing blow is delivered by these.'
0:26:00 > 0:26:06Like all felines, it does have remarkable teeth.
0:26:06 > 0:26:09These canines are long, thin, sharp,
0:26:09 > 0:26:11fabulous for delivering a killer bite,
0:26:11 > 0:26:17and then meat will be chewed down with these stouter carnassials
0:26:17 > 0:26:20or cheek teeth back here towards the rear of the mouth,
0:26:20 > 0:26:22where there's more pressure can be exerted.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27It really is a formidable set of gnashers.
0:26:28 > 0:26:31'No rabbit or rat is safe from the bobcat's bite.
0:26:32 > 0:26:35'Once the collar's on, he's given an injection to bring him round
0:26:35 > 0:26:38'and ten minutes later, he's ready to go.
0:26:38 > 0:26:42'They're famed for their impressive speed, so I've got a speed gun
0:26:42 > 0:26:46'to try and measure how fast he goes when he leaves the cage.'
0:26:47 > 0:26:50You good, Simon? OK, Jim.
0:26:56 > 0:26:58STEVE SNICKERS
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Well, I didn't really need the speed gun!
0:27:04 > 0:27:06THEY LAUGH
0:27:06 > 0:27:08They do that a lot!
0:27:08 > 0:27:11Um... He was kind of relaxed, it has to be said.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14But I guess at least that shows that this cat has confidence.
0:27:14 > 0:27:16He's got attitude, he's got swagger
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and he's on the Deadly 60.
0:27:20 > 0:27:24These stealthy, camouflaged cats are hardly ever spotted.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26They're capable of sizzling speed
0:27:26 > 0:27:29and can cover three metres in a pounce.
0:27:29 > 0:27:33And they can bring down prey much larger than THEY are.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37These fierce, fleeting felines are on the list.
0:27:40 > 0:27:44Join me next time as I continue my search for the Deadly 60.
0:27:46 > 0:27:50Wow! Fantastic.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd