0:00:03 > 0:00:05My name's Steve Backshall.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07And this is my search
0:00:07 > 0:00:09for the Deadly 60.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11That's not just animals that are deadly to me.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14But animals that are deadly in their own world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:19'My crew and I are travelling the planet.'
0:00:19 > 0:00:21Are you coming with me?
0:00:21 > 0:00:23'Every step of the way.'
0:00:30 > 0:00:32'This time on Deadly 60,
0:00:32 > 0:00:33'we're in South Africa.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36'Dripping with diversity. A multitude of habitats,
0:00:36 > 0:00:40'each with their own special animal inhabitants.
0:00:40 > 0:00:45'South Africa's a nation at the bottom of the Dark Continent.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47'Alive with brilliant beasts.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49'First we head to an animal rescue centre,
0:00:49 > 0:00:53'for a tantalising meeting with the natural world's
0:00:53 > 0:00:55'speed demon.'
0:00:55 > 0:00:58We've been filming Deadly 60 for over three years now,
0:00:58 > 0:01:01and somehow we've managed to avoid doing
0:01:01 > 0:01:04the fastest land predator on earth.
0:01:04 > 0:01:07Inside this cage
0:01:07 > 0:01:09is something really very special.
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Come on in.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16'We'll be in search of cheetah in the wild later.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19'But first, an encounter with two young orphans.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23'These two were rescued as cubs, when their mother died of disease,
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'but are doing really well in captivity.'
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Well haven't got very well acquainted yet,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30so I'll feel my way through this. I don't want to get too close.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32Because one lash from those feet
0:01:32 > 0:01:36could give me quite a nasty wound.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39But the feet themselves
0:01:39 > 0:01:41are quite remarkable.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44They have non-retractable claws,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48so you can see those there.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50On most cats, they'll draw them into the pads to protect them,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53to keep them sharp.
0:01:53 > 0:01:57But on a cheetah, they're always at least partially extended.
0:01:57 > 0:02:00That helps with grip. It helps them for running.
0:02:00 > 0:02:03They also can use those claws,
0:02:03 > 0:02:05almost like he's doing now,
0:02:05 > 0:02:07just to bat at the legs of prey.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09So if you have a small antelope, a gazelle,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12that's in full flow,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15and it gets its back leg hit by one of those,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17it'll just take it down,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and allow the cheetah to come in
0:02:20 > 0:02:22and finish it off.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24Absolutely beautiful.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26This one's about a year old.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Still got a little bit of growing to do.
0:02:28 > 0:02:32But they still have that remarkable cheetah pace.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35And the best way I've got of showing you that,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37is using this.
0:02:37 > 0:02:41Right. Let's play a bit of cheetah football.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46Huh! Ooh, crumbs.
0:02:46 > 0:02:48I'm not going to have this in my hand, then.
0:02:48 > 0:02:49HE LAUGHS
0:02:49 > 0:02:51'The cheetah barely needs an introduction.
0:02:51 > 0:02:53'It's a living Lamborghini.
0:02:53 > 0:02:56'The Sultan of Speed.
0:02:56 > 0:02:58'No other predator has a frame
0:02:58 > 0:03:01'so well adapted to sprinting supremacy.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04'Their long limbs and flexible spine give them stride length.
0:03:04 > 0:03:08'Their small head and thin profile cut down on wind resistance.'
0:03:10 > 0:03:13Top speed, three strides.
0:03:13 > 0:03:15Pretty impressive, isn't it?
0:03:15 > 0:03:17'The claws are always extended,
0:03:17 > 0:03:20'curved and sharp enough to tear through fur and skin.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22'Certainly not a good idea to get too close.'
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Got it!
0:03:24 > 0:03:25Huh! Ooh-hoo-hoo-hoo!
0:03:26 > 0:03:28Nearly took my ankle out!
0:03:32 > 0:03:35I think I'm going to let him have the football.
0:03:35 > 0:03:36HE LAUGHS
0:03:36 > 0:03:40'Both in the wild and in captivity, young predators love to play.
0:03:40 > 0:03:42'But these games are training for life
0:03:42 > 0:03:45'as a high-octane hunter.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47'Accelerating faster than a sports car,
0:03:47 > 0:03:50'they reach nearly 60 miles per hour
0:03:50 > 0:03:51'in under three seconds.
0:03:51 > 0:03:53'Each stride is a massive leap,
0:03:53 > 0:03:55'covering seven metres at a time.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58'Flat out, they spend more than half of their time
0:03:58 > 0:04:02'totally airborne.
0:04:02 > 0:04:04'But their speed comes at a price.'
0:04:04 > 0:04:06In an all-out chase, they can only run for a few hundred metres
0:04:06 > 0:04:09before they absolutely have to stop.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Then they might spend half an hour losing all of that excess body heat.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16CHEETAH PANTS
0:04:16 > 0:04:19Listen to that. Just a couple of short sprints.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24We're about to have a brother/sister tussle
0:04:24 > 0:04:25over a football.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Look at that. They're having a tug-of-war!
0:04:32 > 0:04:35I'm pretty sure that our game of deadly football is over.
0:04:35 > 0:04:38But' luckily, I have a way we can try and see these animals
0:04:38 > 0:04:40in the wild.
0:04:43 > 0:04:47'So we hit the road, and headed out into the bush,
0:04:47 > 0:04:49'in the hope that we might get to see them.'
0:04:49 > 0:04:52This reserve offers us a fabulous opportunity
0:04:52 > 0:04:54to see cheetahs in the wild.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58There are two adult males here that have radio collars on.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01We can track them using this radio telemetry device.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05This will allow us to zone in on where those animals are.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Then we can sit with them and try to see them at work.
0:05:07 > 0:05:11'After a few hours of tracking and searching,
0:05:11 > 0:05:14'we found our fabled felines.'
0:05:18 > 0:05:21Such a beautiful animal.
0:05:21 > 0:05:24Glorious amber eyes.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26And when you get a big yawn,
0:05:26 > 0:05:30they show off those fearsome canine teeth.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31How wonderful.
0:05:33 > 0:05:37They're just walking in our direction at the moment.
0:05:37 > 0:05:41You can really see why a spotted, or rosetted coat
0:05:41 > 0:05:43is so common amongst the cats.
0:05:43 > 0:05:46Because, a slight comes down through these trees,
0:05:46 > 0:05:49it creates little pools of dark and of light,
0:05:49 > 0:05:53and it merges perfectly with their coat.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Look at that.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57This is just purely inquisitive.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Wandering out
0:06:00 > 0:06:02to come and have a look at us.
0:06:04 > 0:06:05CHEETAH YELPS
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Those little calls, almost kitten-like.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13Her communication between the two. To come and have a look at us.
0:06:13 > 0:06:15Letting each other know where they are.
0:06:15 > 0:06:18- CHEETAH YELPS - Hear that?
0:06:18 > 0:06:22An incredibly cute sound from such a sublime predator.
0:06:24 > 0:06:26Now they're coming together.
0:06:32 > 0:06:36The way they move is almost lazy.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39It's kind of keeping energy in reserve.
0:06:39 > 0:06:41Just padding along,
0:06:41 > 0:06:44so that when they need to use that incredible speed,
0:06:44 > 0:06:47they still have plenty energy in store.
0:06:47 > 0:06:50'Cheetahs have an unusually wide field of vision.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54'But they can also spot prey from over a kilometre away.
0:06:54 > 0:06:58'The cheetah needs to be close before risking a chase.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00'Usually approaching to less than 30 metres,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03'before exploding into action.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06'With their curved dew claw hooking into tendons,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09'just one swipe of a paw can knock a prey animal off balance.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12'Then a final bite to the throat finishes the job.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14'They're one of the most accomplished hunters
0:07:14 > 0:07:15'of all the big cats.'
0:07:18 > 0:07:22Looking straight at us.
0:07:22 > 0:07:24Very attentive, alert animals.
0:07:26 > 0:07:31One's just stopped by a very prominent tree,
0:07:31 > 0:07:34and is scent-marking, blasting urine against that tree.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38This is essentially telling other cheetahs that this their patch,
0:07:38 > 0:07:40and they should stay out.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43But I think there's something more here at the moment.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47These two animals have quite a lot of purpose about how they're moving.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50They look, to me, quite lean and hungry.
0:07:50 > 0:07:54'Cheetah often goes several days without hunting.
0:07:54 > 0:07:57'So we could be in for quite a wait.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59'It's getting to the hottest part of the day,
0:07:59 > 0:08:02'and looks like they've made themselves comfortable in the shade,
0:08:02 > 0:08:04'for now.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07'The location isn't ideal for a cheetah hunt.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09'They tend to prefer much more open terrain,
0:08:09 > 0:08:10'where they can get up speed.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13'But if something wanders close,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15'they may well take their opportunity.'
0:08:15 > 0:08:19'After several hours, something got their attention.'
0:08:22 > 0:08:26(I can just make out, through the trees behind us,
0:08:26 > 0:08:28(aepyceros impala. Antelope.)
0:08:30 > 0:08:33(They've come into the range of the cheetah,
0:08:33 > 0:08:38(and all of a sudden just focused their attention in that direction.)
0:08:42 > 0:08:44OK.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47The cheetahs have just spotted the impala moving this way,
0:08:47 > 0:08:50and they've gone into hunt mode.
0:08:50 > 0:08:52For the first time in about three hours, they've moved.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09You can just see the impala off in the distance, that way.
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Unfortunately,
0:09:11 > 0:09:13they've been spooked,
0:09:13 > 0:09:15and the cheetah won't take up a hunt
0:09:15 > 0:09:17if they know there's no chance of success.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19While the impala are alert,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22there's simply no way they'll be able to run them down.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31We've been sat out here all day long in the burning African sunshine,
0:09:31 > 0:09:32and in total silence.
0:09:32 > 0:09:36But we have been in the company of two extraordinarily beautiful cats.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38We haven't got to see them hunt,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41but there's no doubt that the fastest land mammal on earth,
0:09:41 > 0:09:46for its pace and its grace, has to go on the Deadly 60.
0:09:49 > 0:09:51'Reaching speeds of 70 miles an hour,
0:09:51 > 0:09:53'they're the fastest animal on land.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55'They twist and turn as they sprint,
0:09:55 > 0:09:57'then swipe their prey to the ground.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00'Their camouflage, stealth, and super senses
0:10:00 > 0:10:02'make them extraordinary hunters.
0:10:03 > 0:10:08- 'Cheetahs are...'- 'Deadly.'
0:10:08 > 0:10:12The next animal I want to find is fierce, imposing,
0:10:12 > 0:10:15and will have monkeys in the treetops diving for cover.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18It's probably the most powerful raptor in Africa -
0:10:18 > 0:10:21the majestic crowned eagle.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27Monkeys like these vervets have to keep their wits about them
0:10:27 > 0:10:29and watch the sky.
0:10:29 > 0:10:33The crowned eagle will sometimes hunt cooperatively with their mate,
0:10:33 > 0:10:35and are a formidable force.
0:10:35 > 0:10:39They swoop in on their quarry, snatching it from safety.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42So, now we've seen what this massively powerful eagle
0:10:42 > 0:10:45is capable of eating, we have a wonderful opportunity to actually
0:10:45 > 0:10:51see this bird in the wild, because just down below me here is a nest.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53And if we hang out at the cliff edge, we might,
0:10:53 > 0:10:55just might, see these birds coming in.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58This pair haven't laid their eggs yet,
0:10:58 > 0:11:00so they're not always on the nest.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02But, hopefully, they'll be back soon.
0:11:02 > 0:11:07We want to minimise our silhouette so we're not so visible to the bird.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11So we'll be just on the edge here, but down low.
0:11:11 > 0:11:15And we have got a fantastic view.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22Both birds have just come in and landed near the nest.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Quite often... Oh, they're mating, they're mating!
0:11:25 > 0:11:28A crowned eagle pair often use the same nest for many years,
0:11:28 > 0:11:31so this might not be the first time they've bred here.
0:11:32 > 0:11:34Up close to crowned eagles in the wild
0:11:34 > 0:11:39and the first thing you see is mating. That is just extraordinary.
0:11:40 > 0:11:43Such a dramatic bird silhouetted there on that branch
0:11:43 > 0:11:46against the mountains in the background.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52It's just flown down to the nest.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57This is a really vital time for these birds.
0:11:57 > 0:12:03They put so much investment into their eggs and their chicks.
0:12:03 > 0:12:05So this nest has to be just right.
0:12:05 > 0:12:09Ah! One's just flown.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12It looks like the male who's flown off,
0:12:12 > 0:12:17so I'm hoping he's gone hunting and left the female at the nest.
0:12:17 > 0:12:20The female followed soon after,
0:12:20 > 0:12:24but not without demonstrating her elegant soaring skills.
0:12:24 > 0:12:28Real advantage of this location that we're in now is that it can help
0:12:28 > 0:12:31these heavy birds get airborne.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34So, wind is going to come rushing down this valley
0:12:34 > 0:12:38and then be driven upwards in updrafts against this cliff wall,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42and also, rising warm air, known as thermals,
0:12:42 > 0:12:45both of those things are going to be sending air upwards.
0:12:45 > 0:12:49The birds can use those to generate lift to get themselves high
0:12:49 > 0:12:51without having to expend any energy.
0:12:53 > 0:12:56She's just...
0:12:56 > 0:12:58drifting down...
0:13:00 > 0:13:02..into that valley over there.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06We waited around for the rest of the day,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08but it didn't look like they were coming back.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14Well, we've had a glimpse of a crowned eagle in this environment
0:13:14 > 0:13:16where they truly are king, but the next stage
0:13:16 > 0:13:19is to get really close to one, and I know just the place.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27So, this is a crowned eagle up close.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31This is Karma, and tragically, she was shot in the wing,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34probably by a farmer who was worried for his livestock,
0:13:34 > 0:13:38and so now is kept in this centre here, in very, very good hands.
0:13:38 > 0:13:41And the first thing that I can tell you about her is that she has
0:13:41 > 0:13:44one of the most extraordinary grip strengths I've ever felt on a bird
0:13:44 > 0:13:46or actually on any animal at all.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50If I didn't have this thick leather gauntlet on,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53I think she'd be crushing every bone in my hand.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56And those talons really are totally remarkable.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00It's all because this animal specialises in feeding on mammals.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03So you've got an incredibly powerful grip strength,
0:14:03 > 0:14:05very, very broad, thick talons,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07which are really good for hanging on to fur.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Imagine this is an animal that's catching monkeys in the treetops.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14It also has this.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17Aw-w-w! Ow-w!
0:14:17 > 0:14:22Just that little bit of a shift, and she clenches onto the hand.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26And you can really sense the incredible strength
0:14:26 > 0:14:28and power of this animal.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32That talon there can be used in an attack...
0:14:32 > 0:14:35thrown forward like this,
0:14:35 > 0:14:39and then used to stab into the body of the animals it's feeding on.
0:14:39 > 0:14:42Although this is a really sizable and quite weighty eagle,
0:14:42 > 0:14:44if I just show you the wings...
0:14:44 > 0:14:49Actually, the wingspan, really, is not massive.
0:14:49 > 0:14:53And the reason for that is that this is an animal that's really adapted
0:14:53 > 0:14:55to flying inside the forest.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58It's all about dodging in and out of trees and branches,
0:14:58 > 0:15:03and not getting those long, thin wings caught on branches and leaves.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07So, being as we have this unique opportunity
0:15:07 > 0:15:12of having a bird like this up close, I'd really like to see it in action.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16Hopefully, using a lure will get her to swoop in for the kill,
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and I'll be ready with a camera to try and get a prey's-eye view.
0:15:23 > 0:15:26- Oh! - HE LAUGHS
0:15:26 > 0:15:28I totally wasn't running(!)
0:15:28 > 0:15:32- CAMERAMAN: I was!- You were? - Yeah.- Oh, OK.
0:15:32 > 0:15:37That's why I'm the presenter and not the cameraman.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39Take two.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- Wa-a-a-ah! - HE LAUGHS
0:15:45 > 0:15:50Well, I think I might have got it. Maybe.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52- HE SPEAKS WARILY - Take three.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55We are good...to...go.
0:15:57 > 0:16:00There she goes.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05Oh-h-h! Superb!
0:16:05 > 0:16:08As she comes in, she drops down,
0:16:08 > 0:16:11allowing gravity to bring her towards the ground.
0:16:11 > 0:16:14Lift is generated under her wings, so she doesn't need to flap
0:16:14 > 0:16:16when coming in on the lure.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19And the talons come out...
0:16:19 > 0:16:23Pow! Precision accuracy.
0:16:23 > 0:16:25Look at that! This is called mantling.
0:16:25 > 0:16:30What it's doing is just making sure that nothing else can see its food.
0:16:30 > 0:16:34And there it's going to go in and get stuck in.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37You can see the crown of feathers is fully extended,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40making her look bigger and more threatening.
0:16:40 > 0:16:48This is the most powerful eagle in Africa, and it is a crested wonder.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50You've got to say the crowned eagle
0:16:50 > 0:16:54has definitely got to go on the Deadly 60.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00With enormous dagger-like talons that stab through their prey,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04agile aerial-expertise allowing them to dodge in and out of trees...
0:17:07 > 0:17:10..enabling them to take on prey more than twice their weight.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15'Deadly.'
0:17:15 > 0:17:17In the African bush,
0:17:17 > 0:17:20every spare minute is spent in search of wildlife.
0:17:20 > 0:17:23It's the most exciting way to spend a day.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Oh, that's cool!
0:17:26 > 0:17:29Now, this is a female ravine spider.
0:17:30 > 0:17:35OK, let's see if I can just lift the palps.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42Those fangs are long, curved, sharp, downward-pointing,
0:17:42 > 0:17:49so this spider can drive those down into prey and then tear it apart,
0:17:49 > 0:17:54using those fangs almost like a set of knife and fork.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57She is...beautiful.
0:17:57 > 0:18:01There's wildlife everywhere.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03I'm being watched.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06When searching for the smaller stuff,
0:18:06 > 0:18:10it's best to try under branches and rocks.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Yes!
0:18:15 > 0:18:19Quite often, chunks of old millipede like this
0:18:19 > 0:18:21are a sign that there are scorpions around.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Look at that.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27This is a flat rock scorpion.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31They're actually not massively venomous.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33Very thin, spindly tail,
0:18:33 > 0:18:37BUT, this is a species that will feast on other kinds of scorpions,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40including some of the most venomous found in the whole world.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44And something else that's special about this little beauty
0:18:44 > 0:18:48is that the abdomen here is really thick and full.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51It's almost like a half-squashed grape,
0:18:51 > 0:18:55and that's because inside there are loads of tiny little eggs
0:18:55 > 0:18:57with baby scorpions just waiting to emerge.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00It's a mummy scorpion.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04Being as she's an expectant mum, we'll put her back very carefully.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16We've had a lot of snakes on the Deadly 60, but this time,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19we want to try something a little bit different.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22To most people around the world, a snake is just a snake.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25But trust me, that couldn't be further from the truth.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28There's around about 2,700 different species,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32and they come in a massive variety of shapes, sizes and colours.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Even amongst the venomous snakes, there are some very distinct types.
0:19:39 > 0:19:41So, Donald here is an old friend of Deadly 60.
0:19:41 > 0:19:44He runs a local reptile park, and inside here we have a whole bunch
0:19:44 > 0:19:48of snakes rescued locally that will be released back into the wild
0:19:48 > 0:19:50after we've finished showing you what they can do.
0:19:50 > 0:19:53This here is called a Photron camera.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56It shoots in slow motion, so we're going to be able to see these snakes
0:19:56 > 0:19:58at their absolute best, frame-by-frame.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01And it's all going to be recorded here on this laptop.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04We're hoping, obviously, that nothing's going to go wrong,
0:20:04 > 0:20:09but if it does, we've also got the local ambulance here, just in case.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13So this is a colubrid, or typical snake.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16They're long, they're slender,
0:20:16 > 0:20:18they're usually very good climbers, and if they do have venom,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22then they'll have a fang or two fangs in the upper jaw,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26but quite backward-set towards the rear of the mouth.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28This is a viper.
0:20:28 > 0:20:32It has an arrow-shaped head, fantastic camouflage,
0:20:32 > 0:20:34and they tend to be quite lazy snakes that sit still
0:20:34 > 0:20:36and wait for their prey to come to them.
0:20:36 > 0:20:40The fangs are at the front of the upper jaw, and they're hinged,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43so they can swing forward and stab into their prey.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47And this, obviously, is a cobra.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51This group of snakes has the most venomous snakes on the planet.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Many of them have the ability to hood like this
0:20:54 > 0:20:56- in defensive posture. - SNAKE HISSES
0:20:56 > 0:21:00They have short, fixed, immovable fangs at the front
0:21:00 > 0:21:03of the upper jaw, and they stab downwards towards their prey
0:21:03 > 0:21:07with a neurotoxic venom that affects the nervous system.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10So, three fascinating, very different kinds of snakes.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13What I want to do is show you some unique aspects of their behaviour.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17So, I'm taking three African serpents,
0:21:17 > 0:21:19one from each group of venomous snakes...
0:21:21 > 0:21:25..the colubrids, the cobras, and the vipers.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28And our next step is to reveal their remarkable skills.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32OK, the first snake I'm going to show you, hopefully,
0:21:32 > 0:21:37even if you are someone who hates snakes, this will change your mind.
0:21:37 > 0:21:43Because I believe this is one of the most beautiful snakes in the world.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46This...is a boomslang.
0:21:46 > 0:21:52Boomslangs are unusual amongst the colubrids in being highly venomous.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55They're tree-dwelling snakes, so are fantastic climbers.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58And they make meals of chameleons, lizards, frogs,
0:21:58 > 0:22:00birds and small mammals.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03The boomslang is all about senses.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06Its eyes are absolutely enormous.
0:22:06 > 0:22:10Certainly, for its size, the largest of any snake on the planet.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Now, most snakes, sight is based on movement,
0:22:12 > 0:22:15so they're looking for prey that's moving around them.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18But the boomslang hunts in the treetops for very well camouflaged
0:22:18 > 0:22:20animals that are standing perfectly still.
0:22:20 > 0:22:24But, with those enormous eyes, which are slightly egg-shaped,
0:22:24 > 0:22:26they have phenomenal depth perception.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29That means they can still see animals even when they're not moving
0:22:29 > 0:22:32at all, and they're exactly the same colour as their environment.
0:22:32 > 0:22:37The other super-sense they have for tracking their prey is their tongue,
0:22:37 > 0:22:40and that's what I'm hoping to show you in slow motion.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45There it goes, there it goes!
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Right, I'm really hoping Johnny managed to get that,
0:22:48 > 0:22:52because when you see it slow down, actually, it is extraordinary
0:22:52 > 0:22:54what that tongue is really doing.
0:22:56 > 0:23:00So, the tongue comes out, it waves up and down,
0:23:00 > 0:23:05you can see both sides of that forked tongue actually trailing
0:23:05 > 0:23:10into the air and then dropping down onto the branch itself...
0:23:10 > 0:23:14and just trailing along the edge of the branch.
0:23:14 > 0:23:18What that's doing is it's actually working almost like a sponge -
0:23:18 > 0:23:20picking up bits of scent, bits of invisible scent,
0:23:20 > 0:23:22that are down on the wood itself,
0:23:22 > 0:23:26and then drawing them back into the mouth where they can be processed.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28What this snake's doing is tasting its world.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31Now, if any lizard, a chameleon, perhaps,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34has been wandering along this log, it will have left an invisible trail
0:23:34 > 0:23:38behind it, and that's what the snake is trying to find.
0:23:38 > 0:23:40For our next serpent superstar,
0:23:40 > 0:23:43we're going to need a little bit of extra safety precautions.
0:23:43 > 0:23:45You'll notice Johnny the cameraman and Nick the soundman
0:23:45 > 0:23:48have both got these special goggles on.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52That's for very good reason, because under this little teepee here,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55is a Mozambique spitting cobra.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58And it's its spitting defence that I really want to show you.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00We're exposing the snake.
0:24:04 > 0:24:05(Here.)
0:24:10 > 0:24:15The important thing to realise is that this is totally about defence.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18The cobra will kill its prey exactly the same way as other snakes -
0:24:18 > 0:24:20by injecting venom.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25But that...is like a hosepipe!
0:24:25 > 0:24:28And you can see how accurate it is.
0:24:28 > 0:24:31The fangs themselves have a slight twist to them on the inside.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33It's almost like rifling in a gun,
0:24:33 > 0:24:39which means that the spray is incredibly accurate.
0:24:39 > 0:24:41And it's actually just headed straight towards my eyes.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46You can see him there, bringing his head back, focusing,
0:24:46 > 0:24:52and it's just peppering the whole of the front of my glasses here.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Much more chance that it's going to land into an eyeball.
0:24:58 > 0:25:01This is a puff adder.
0:25:01 > 0:25:03It's one of the most feared snakes in Africa,
0:25:03 > 0:25:06but I think they are utterly fascinating.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08It's the classic viper shape,
0:25:08 > 0:25:10and it has the classic viper hunting method.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13And the most interesting thing, perhaps, is that its strike
0:25:13 > 0:25:16can be over and done with in as much as a fifth of a second.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Now, I'm hoping to show you that by getting it to strike at...
0:25:20 > 0:25:22this water balloon.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25We're using the balloon to simulate a small mammal.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29Hopefully, it will strike it in the same way.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34Oh-h-h!
0:25:34 > 0:25:37That was glorious.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42You can see the tongue flickering on the air.
0:25:42 > 0:25:45It's drawing back into that classic S-shape which gives it
0:25:45 > 0:25:48the possibility to extend to strike.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51It's focused on the balloon.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Oh, wo-o-ow!
0:25:58 > 0:26:03That is absolutely unbelievable.
0:26:03 > 0:26:07It's a very, very short strike, but you could see as the mouth opened,
0:26:07 > 0:26:11the sheath that covered the fangs being exposed.
0:26:11 > 0:26:13They're very, very long those fangs,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16and really act like tiny stiletto daggers.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19And they have just knifed into the balloon,
0:26:19 > 0:26:24and for a fraction of a second, the water is hanging there in one place.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27If that was mammal prey, it would've carried it on pumping the venom
0:26:27 > 0:26:31into its body, and then it retreats. It lets it go.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34This is really important to the puff adder, because what it's doing is
0:26:34 > 0:26:37it's making sure that it's prey can't do it any damage.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40It's now retreated, it's back to its original position,
0:26:40 > 0:26:44and it's just going to wait for its prey to succumb to its venom.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Well, we've seen three rather wonderful snakes,
0:26:49 > 0:26:54but for my money, the gloriously camouflaged, split-second striking
0:26:54 > 0:26:58puff adder has got it, and is definitely going on the Deadly 60.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08..with remarkable camouflage making them superior ambush predators,
0:27:08 > 0:27:13and a lightning fast strike that's over in a fifth of a second...
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The puff adder is pure deadliness.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18'Deadly.'
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Just crazy!
0:27:21 > 0:27:24Join me next time as I continue my search for the Deadly 60.
0:27:24 > 0:27:26Oh-h-h!
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Look at that!
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd