0:00:06 > 0:00:09Welcome to my Deadly Top Ten.
0:00:09 > 0:00:10Woah!
0:00:14 > 0:00:18A chance to choose the most extreme, mass attacking, defending,
0:00:18 > 0:00:22airborne, and super-sensing animals on the planet!
0:00:22 > 0:00:24Go, go, go, go!
0:00:24 > 0:00:27All deadly in their own world and occasionally deadly to me!
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Aah!
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Who do you think will be number one of the Deadly Top Ten?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Here we go!
0:00:38 > 0:00:42In this countdown, I'm choosing my top ten defenders,
0:00:42 > 0:00:45animals that don't just use their deadly skills in attack,
0:00:45 > 0:00:47but also in defence,
0:00:47 > 0:00:52fending off predators and stopping themselves from being eaten!
0:00:52 > 0:00:55Toxic venom, sharp spines, brute force,
0:00:55 > 0:00:57and even chemical warfare
0:00:57 > 0:01:01make up an incredible array of defensive tactics.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05But who will claw, spit, scrape or stampede their way to number one
0:01:05 > 0:01:06as the deadliest defender?
0:01:09 > 0:01:11Let's find out, so get your guard up.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14It's time to start counting down the top ten deadly defenders!
0:01:15 > 0:01:18We're starting big. Up first at number ten,
0:01:18 > 0:01:22it's the world's largest eight-legged hairy hunter.
0:01:26 > 0:01:28Oh, my life.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35It's something really big.
0:01:40 > 0:01:41Here it comes.
0:01:48 > 0:01:50Absolutely dripping sweat here.
0:01:51 > 0:01:55Look at the size of those fangs.
0:01:55 > 0:01:58I've never seen anything this big before,
0:01:58 > 0:02:02and I've been catching tarantulas for well over a decade.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09Now we can get a proper sense of the size of you.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12This is the largest tarantula in the world,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15the goliath bird-eating spider.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17They can have a leg span the size of a Frisbee
0:02:17 > 0:02:20and an abdomen as large as a tennis ball.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23So they'd make a meaty meal for forest hunters
0:02:23 > 0:02:25like coatis or ocelot.
0:02:25 > 0:02:30She's got fangs that are about as long as a cheetah's claws,
0:02:30 > 0:02:32and a good deal sharper.
0:02:32 > 0:02:36She could give me a really, really nasty bite.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39But she also has another, more unusual form of defence
0:02:39 > 0:02:42that I've got to be really careful of.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46That kicking her leg against her abdomen
0:02:46 > 0:02:50is sending hairs up into the air.
0:02:54 > 0:02:58If those get into your eyes or nose, the back of your throat,
0:02:58 > 0:03:01it can be very irritating and itchy
0:03:01 > 0:03:05and it's actually the spider's primary method
0:03:05 > 0:03:08of getting rid of an attacker
0:03:08 > 0:03:11despite the fact that it has gigantic fangs.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14The irritating hairs act like pepper spray,
0:03:14 > 0:03:16burning the eyes, tickling the throat
0:03:16 > 0:03:19and causing coughing fits, sometimes even blindness,
0:03:19 > 0:03:23a very effective defence against prying predators
0:03:23 > 0:03:24and could leave me itching for weeks!
0:03:24 > 0:03:27Look at the size of her!
0:03:27 > 0:03:30And I can feel those hairs that she kicked up into the air,
0:03:30 > 0:03:34I can feel them in the back of my throat, and I want to cough
0:03:34 > 0:03:38but it's not really a good time to cough
0:03:38 > 0:03:41with that on your hands.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45So, giant fangs and venom aside,
0:03:45 > 0:03:48it's the tiny, itchy, scratchy rash-causing hairs
0:03:48 > 0:03:53that are this spider's rather effective defence against predators.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56Next up, slithering in to the number nine slot is a venomous reptile
0:03:56 > 0:03:59that I've got a bit of history with.
0:03:59 > 0:04:03Ever since I was a little kid I've been obsessed with snakes,
0:04:03 > 0:04:05and I spend a good part of my life travelling round the world
0:04:05 > 0:04:07catching some of the most venomous ones.
0:04:10 > 0:04:13Touch wood, I've never been bitten while handling one,
0:04:13 > 0:04:17although I did get hospitalised when I stood right on top
0:04:17 > 0:04:20of a venomous snake and got bitten.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22It wasn't a black mamba.
0:04:22 > 0:04:25It wasn't a king cobra.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29And it wasn't a Gaboon viper.
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Although it was in the viper family.
0:04:31 > 0:04:34In fact, it was right here in the heaths of southern England,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38so I've come back here to try and find one.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Have you guessed it?
0:04:40 > 0:04:44That's right, it's the adder, Britain's only venomous snake!
0:04:44 > 0:04:48The adder may be small, but it is a viper
0:04:48 > 0:04:51and is armed with fully loaded venom glands for hunting
0:04:51 > 0:04:55and taking down its prey, such as voles and frogs.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57The venom's also used in defence
0:04:57 > 0:05:00when the snake feels threatened by its predators -
0:05:00 > 0:05:04birds of prey, crows, gulls, foxes or big-footed naturalists like me!
0:05:06 > 0:05:09When I was bitten on the ankle, my whole leg swelled up
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and turned black! I was kept in hospital for three days,
0:05:12 > 0:05:17so learnt the hard way about this snake's defensive skills.
0:05:17 > 0:05:19Now, I'd be absolutely heartbroken
0:05:19 > 0:05:21if people were to be scared of snakes
0:05:21 > 0:05:24because of what happened to me. Truth is, I must have stood
0:05:24 > 0:05:26right on top of that adder for it to have bitten me.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29Actually, it's incredibly rare for people to even see them.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33As soon as anyone gets close, they just disappear off into the bushes
0:05:33 > 0:05:34and their camouflage is amazing.
0:05:36 > 0:05:39And having cryptic camouflage is really the first part
0:05:39 > 0:05:40of their defence.
0:05:43 > 0:05:47Stop, stop, stop, stop, stop, stop. Here's an adder.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01OK, let's try and get him out into the open, there.
0:06:01 > 0:06:07That is Britain's only venomous snake, the adder.
0:06:09 > 0:06:13Now I have to say this is absolutely not something
0:06:13 > 0:06:16that I would encourage people back home to do.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18The adder's bite is painful and has killed people,
0:06:18 > 0:06:21so don't ever try to pick one up.
0:06:21 > 0:06:22And listen to that hiss.
0:06:22 > 0:06:26This is the threat that's used by pretty much all of the reptiles
0:06:26 > 0:06:29from the crocodiles through the tiniest to the biggest of snakes.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32It's just forcing air out through his lungs
0:06:32 > 0:06:35making a sound which you could never mistake for anything
0:06:35 > 0:06:37other than a way of telling you to go away.
0:06:37 > 0:06:41The adder is an extraordinary predator.
0:06:41 > 0:06:47It has really quite toxic venom for a snake of this size.
0:06:47 > 0:06:49It has a very, very fast strike,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51and as you've seen
0:06:51 > 0:06:53from how difficult it's been for us to find one,
0:06:53 > 0:06:57amazing camouflage, absolutely extraordinary.
0:06:59 > 0:07:02So, the adder's invisibility cloak of camouflage
0:07:02 > 0:07:04is its day-to-day means of defence,
0:07:04 > 0:07:08but when it's really threatened, a loud hiss and a venomous strike
0:07:08 > 0:07:09sends its predators limping.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Now we're taking it to the max for number eight.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16It's the largest primate on Earth, the gorilla.
0:07:16 > 0:07:18In the high forests of Uganda,
0:07:18 > 0:07:22the mountain gorillas are King Kongkering any rivals.
0:07:24 > 0:07:25As we start to get closer,
0:07:25 > 0:07:30you'll hear the guides making little reassuring noises
0:07:30 > 0:07:35so the gorillas know what's coming and know that it's not a threat.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37I can see the bushes moving just ahead of us.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41I'm shaking, half with excitement
0:07:41 > 0:07:44and half with a little bit of trepidation.
0:07:48 > 0:07:50Up there, the silverback.
0:07:57 > 0:08:02This is the silverback, the dominant male,
0:08:02 > 0:08:05and I have to say,
0:08:05 > 0:08:10there are very few more impressive animals in the whole world.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14He is absolutely massive.
0:08:16 > 0:08:19Tipping the scales at over 200 kilos of pure muscle,
0:08:19 > 0:08:24the silverback is an advert for why you should always eat your greens!
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Strength, power and physical presence
0:08:27 > 0:08:30are all key to the gorilla's defence.
0:08:30 > 0:08:32Bluff charges are enough to see off most rivals
0:08:32 > 0:08:35but a full-on attack will include screaming roars,
0:08:35 > 0:08:39chest beating, hefty punches and deep bites.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41Not something I'm keen to experience.
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Johnny, Johnny, Johnny.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49Suddenly, a confident young male moves menacingly towards us.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55This is the blackback.
0:08:55 > 0:09:01He's the young male and they can be more of a worry than the silverback
0:09:01 > 0:09:03cos they have more to prove.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06Can you see how easily he just pulled that tree down
0:09:06 > 0:09:08to cover himself?
0:09:08 > 0:09:11People that actually work with gorillas a lot
0:09:11 > 0:09:15reckon they're probably ten times stronger than people.
0:09:15 > 0:09:18They've seen them bend iron bars.
0:09:18 > 0:09:22He's looking at me at the moment, sussing me out.
0:09:22 > 0:09:27'But despite his smirk, he obviously thinks I might be a challenge.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30'I have to stand my ground as he comes over to teach me a lesson.'
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Oh.
0:09:42 > 0:09:50Right, well, that is a blackback gorilla letting us know who's boss.
0:09:50 > 0:09:52'But I just got off lightly with a gentle clout,
0:09:52 > 0:09:54'more of a warning shot.'
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Yeah, that was quite a left hook.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04So, three animals in and we've seen itchy hairs,
0:10:04 > 0:10:07a painful bite and gorillas packing a punch,
0:10:07 > 0:10:11but what other defensive tricks are in store as we count down the list?
0:10:11 > 0:10:15Coming in at number seven is a rather prickly customer.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18This is Africa's largest rodent, a porcupine.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22A nocturnal nibbler that comes out to forage at night.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26But the name "porcupine" actually means thorny pig
0:10:26 > 0:10:30and this guy's hair-raising funky, punky hairdo
0:10:30 > 0:10:32isn't just for show.
0:10:32 > 0:10:34His back and tail are studded with sharp spines and quills
0:10:34 > 0:10:36that can be raised up in defence,
0:10:36 > 0:10:41creating a ferocious, impenetrable force field against attack.
0:10:41 > 0:10:42A backwards charge from this guy
0:10:42 > 0:10:45would leave you with a face full of spines,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49so it's a deadly defender to watch out for.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53Yes! Going to be quite cautious.
0:10:57 > 0:11:01Just sitting quietly in the corner up here is a porcupine.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05He's watching me very closely but what I really don't want
0:11:05 > 0:11:10is for him to back up and charge me with those quills.
0:11:10 > 0:11:16That's the weapon that he'll use to drive off animals as big as lions.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Usually a rattle of the tail's hollow quills
0:11:22 > 0:11:24and a flash of their tightly packed pincushion posterior
0:11:24 > 0:11:27is enough to deter lone hunters.
0:11:29 > 0:11:32But sometimes the opposition don't quite put up a fair fight.
0:11:36 > 0:11:39This poor porcupine finds itself surrounded
0:11:39 > 0:11:43by a hungry pride of lions, but despite being seriously outnumbered,
0:11:43 > 0:11:47he uses his reinforced rear to keep the lions at bay.
0:11:52 > 0:11:55The hollow quills are designed to drop out easily,
0:11:55 > 0:11:58embedding themselves deep into any stray paws.
0:11:58 > 0:12:03Too prickly a problem for this poor pussycat.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13So, lion versus rodent - a real game of cat and mouse
0:12:13 > 0:12:17but our porcupine's defence is unbeatable.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23Creeping in at number six is an insect with a defence so good,
0:12:23 > 0:12:27it's able to thrive where others wouldn't dare to tread.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30It's the extraordinary moth butterfly caterpillar!
0:12:31 > 0:12:35This is a weaver ant nest, a beautiful construction
0:12:35 > 0:12:39of leaves and silk and home to several thousand busy worker ants.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41They're very territorial, defending their nests
0:12:41 > 0:12:43against anything that gets too close.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48But this freaky fiend is the moth butterfly caterpillar.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51Armoured with a shell like a cross between a tank and a tortoise,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55it brazenly trundles headfirst into the weavers' nest,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57right into the ants' lair!
0:12:57 > 0:13:01Intruders are normally swarmed over and dismembered by soldier ants
0:13:01 > 0:13:05but this is where the caterpillar's defence comes in.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08The shield it wears on its back is awesome -
0:13:08 > 0:13:10bite-resistant and tough as old boots.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14The ants try everything but the tank keeps marching on,
0:13:14 > 0:13:17right to the nursery!
0:13:20 > 0:13:22The moth butterfly caterpillar has arrived
0:13:22 > 0:13:25at the ultimate all-you-can-eat buffet!
0:13:26 > 0:13:30Because this is one of the few carnivorous meat-eating
0:13:30 > 0:13:33caterpillar species in the world.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39Once it gets going, a caterpillar can eat 12 grubs an hour
0:13:39 > 0:13:43so within weeks, a few caterpillars could scoff the entire brood!
0:13:49 > 0:13:51Once stuffed,
0:13:51 > 0:13:54the caterpillars pupate within their protective armour
0:13:54 > 0:13:57then the adult moth butterfly starts to emerge.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05The soldier ants mount an immediate attack
0:14:05 > 0:14:08but the butterfly has one more devious defence.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Its body is covered in slippery silver scales, like evil candyfloss,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17which jam up the ants' jaws as they try to bite.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21Try as they might, they just can't get a grip!
0:14:21 > 0:14:25So the delicate adult moth butterfly strolls out of the ants' nest
0:14:25 > 0:14:28completely unharmed, thanks to its unusual defensive tricks!
0:14:29 > 0:14:34So shields up, it's time to review our defences so far.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37We've had the spider's hairs, the adder's bite,
0:14:37 > 0:14:40the massive mountain gorilla, a porcupine taking on a pride,
0:14:40 > 0:14:42and a carnivorous caterpillar that hangs out
0:14:42 > 0:14:45where others wouldn't survive a second.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48So we're working our way through my deadly defenders
0:14:48 > 0:14:50but the creature at number five could surprise you.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52It's the cassowary.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55Strutting into our line-up is a monster bird that can do more
0:14:55 > 0:14:57than ruffle a few feathers.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59This dinosaur-like flightless bird
0:14:59 > 0:15:02lives deep in Australia's steamy rainforest,
0:15:02 > 0:15:06has sharpened talons on its feet, beady eyes
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and a temper to rival the Hulk!
0:15:08 > 0:15:14And did I mention it's one of the few birds known to attack humans?
0:15:16 > 0:15:20So, on foot in the Daintree rainforest I'm not quite sure
0:15:20 > 0:15:22who's stalking whom.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33The female cassowary is a bird
0:15:33 > 0:15:35you definitely don't want to get on the wrong side of.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39They're very, very large
0:15:39 > 0:15:43and they also have a claw which is almost like a dagger.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I don't believe this.
0:15:52 > 0:15:58Right in front of me is a male with a juvenile.
0:15:58 > 0:16:03They're no more than about 10, 15 feet in front of me.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07The chick's coming to check me out.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11I need to be quite careful now
0:16:11 > 0:16:14because the male's going to be very protective of the chick...
0:16:17 > 0:16:20..and he's getting very, very close.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22I could reach out and touch him.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I think he'd probably peck my hand off, though.
0:16:28 > 0:16:30Scared him off.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33Well, I'm glad I won that game of chicken!
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Cassowaries may be flightless,
0:16:35 > 0:16:39but as this vet finds out, they're certainly not fightless.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41They can leap over a metre and a half in the air,
0:16:41 > 0:16:45using their high-flying kicks to defend their chicks.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48A formidable defender that will see off crocodiles, dingoes
0:16:48 > 0:16:51and anyone or anything that gets too close!
0:16:51 > 0:16:54That is a bird in a bad mood!
0:16:54 > 0:16:57From two legs to six next,
0:16:57 > 0:16:59and in at number four is a feisty ant
0:16:59 > 0:17:02that will attack just about anything!
0:17:02 > 0:17:06It's the jack jumper and you'd better watch out!
0:17:06 > 0:17:09If you ask any naturalist working out in the field
0:17:09 > 0:17:12which animal causes them the most strife,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15they won't say snakes or spiders or scorpions,
0:17:15 > 0:17:18they'll say ants. I know that seems ridiculous.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21Back home in the UK, all an ant really does
0:17:21 > 0:17:22is perhaps spoil a picnic for you
0:17:22 > 0:17:26but there are many places around the world where that isn't the case
0:17:26 > 0:17:30and here in Australia is one of them, and I'll show you why.
0:17:30 > 0:17:32There's a little hole here.
0:17:32 > 0:17:37I'm going to see if I can bring out the ant that lives inside.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Usually just a bit of vibration's enough to bring them out.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44Here we go, I've got one coming out.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49This is a jumping jack ant.
0:17:49 > 0:17:55It's got absolutely huge yellow mandibles.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59Very, very aggressive, these little ants.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03But the dangerous thing about them isn't their bite. It's their sting.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06Ants are in the same insect group as the bees and the wasps
0:18:06 > 0:18:09and like them, a lot of their venoms have stuff in them
0:18:09 > 0:18:12that people are very, very allergic to.
0:18:12 > 0:18:16Here in Australia, people actually die from bites from these ants.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The sting is extremely painful and has been known to kill adults
0:18:21 > 0:18:23within 15 minutes
0:18:23 > 0:18:28making jack jumpers the most dangerous ant in the world!
0:18:28 > 0:18:31I tell you what, they are like little bulldogs.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34This one's savaging the front of the camera, look!
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Look at that.
0:18:36 > 0:18:38They're totally fearless.
0:18:40 > 0:18:44And they really have got an attitude way beyond their size.
0:18:44 > 0:18:48Apart from anything else, they'll jump after what they see
0:18:48 > 0:18:51as being a threat to their colony.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55The enormous jaws and potent sting are used primarily in attack.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58The insecticidal venom kills a fly in seconds
0:18:58 > 0:19:01but the same tools are turned into deadly defensive weapons
0:19:01 > 0:19:04when the ants and the colony are under attack.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Look at that, he's stinging the lens, getting right stuck into it.
0:19:08 > 0:19:13Look at that. I'm glad that isn't my finger.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15Totally fearless.
0:19:15 > 0:19:18I don't think I've ever seen a creature quite so aggressive.
0:19:18 > 0:19:21So as well as being armed with a toxic sting
0:19:21 > 0:19:25and huge mandibles, the out-and-out aggression of this ant
0:19:25 > 0:19:29means it will sting repeatedly, a serious defender.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Jumping jack ants - definitely deadly.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36Next up, crashing in at three is a meaty head-to-head
0:19:36 > 0:19:40of two tough African defenders - the rhino versus the buffalo.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42They both have horns, brawn and attitude,
0:19:42 > 0:19:45but who could steal our slot at number three?
0:19:48 > 0:19:53The best way of getting a good look at these beasts is from the air.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56If we're going to stand a chance of getting close to them in the air,
0:19:56 > 0:19:59we need an aircraft that's small, manoeuvrable, perhaps even discreet.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02Something like this.
0:20:04 > 0:20:07Here we go!
0:20:08 > 0:20:10Whoo!
0:20:14 > 0:20:18OK, so now we're airborne.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22This wonderful little plane offers us so many opportunities.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25We can obviously cover a much broader range.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29This is a great way to see Africa's giants.
0:20:32 > 0:20:37And there are our first contenders, a group of rhino!
0:20:40 > 0:20:42Rhino are built like bulldozers.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Their hides are thickened like armour plating
0:20:45 > 0:20:48to shield them from jabs from horns during fights.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51They weigh up to three tonnes, but despite being big,
0:20:51 > 0:20:55they can sprint at 30 miles an hour!
0:20:58 > 0:21:01Adults use their horns for fighting
0:21:01 > 0:21:05and defending their youngsters from lions, crocodiles and hyena.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09They'll tackle anyone who gets in their way at a watering hole
0:21:09 > 0:21:14and basically see anything large as a threat!
0:21:14 > 0:21:18So, rhino are big, they're armoured, and they look pretty angry.
0:21:18 > 0:21:21Surely as defenders go, they must be a deadly cert
0:21:21 > 0:21:23for a place on my list?
0:21:24 > 0:21:29How will the buffalo's horns match up?
0:21:29 > 0:21:33It's back up in our plane over the plains to see if we can spot any.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35What are you seeing?
0:21:35 > 0:21:36Buffalo.
0:21:36 > 0:21:40I see them. I see the buffalo!
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Wow, it is a massive herd!
0:21:43 > 0:21:48Oh, I cannot believe how many there are!
0:21:48 > 0:21:53I reckon this herd of buffalo must be 200 animals strong.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Oh, look at that!
0:21:59 > 0:22:00So, in this head-to-head,
0:22:00 > 0:22:04we've got a whole herd of buff strutting their stuff.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06Buffalo are big and beefy.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08They have heavy-set bony horns that meet in the middle,
0:22:08 > 0:22:11forming a bulletproof boss that protects their skull.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15They hang out in herds so have the strength in numbers
0:22:15 > 0:22:18to defend their young against Africa's biggest predators - lions!
0:22:25 > 0:22:29Working together in a group like an oversized rugby team,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32the wingers and flankers hold the space
0:22:32 > 0:22:35while the others scrum down, tackling lions head on!
0:22:35 > 0:22:37And they have the size, strength, speed
0:22:37 > 0:22:40and skewers to do some serious showing off.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56As deadly vegetarians go, you don't want to feel the defensive force
0:22:56 > 0:22:59of either beast, but I can only choose one for my list.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Well, they may not be as thick-skinned as the rhino,
0:23:02 > 0:23:05but with their teamwork in defence, the buffalo has it for me,
0:23:05 > 0:23:07and stampedes into the number three spot!
0:23:11 > 0:23:15We're nearing the top now, and in at number two is a classic defender
0:23:15 > 0:23:19that can see off its predators without even touching them.
0:23:19 > 0:23:22It's the rinkhals spitting cobra.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26So, eye protectors on, I'm ready to see one in action.
0:23:29 > 0:23:34This is a fiery snake. See, he's rearing up towards me.
0:23:34 > 0:23:38Oh. And just flicked venom all down my arm.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Certainly not as accurate as you see in some spitting cobras
0:23:43 > 0:23:47but if it goes in the eyes, it's going to be just as effective.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Now, look at that.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54Perfect. He actually flicked venom straight at me.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Now, actually, a little bit of it went into my mouth.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00You can taste it. It has a sort of rusty kind of taste to it.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04The venom can't harm me unless it gets into my bloodstream.
0:24:04 > 0:24:06That actually did go right into my mouth.
0:24:06 > 0:24:11What I'm trying to do is restrain the head
0:24:11 > 0:24:14so to actually give an impression of what would happen,
0:24:14 > 0:24:19if an animal was to attack it, what it would do.
0:24:19 > 0:24:23So I'm just gently hoping that I'll be able to hold the head down.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27Wow. OK.
0:24:30 > 0:24:33And he just spat straight at the camera.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36I think there are a few flecks of venom
0:24:36 > 0:24:39just on the outside of the lens hood here.
0:24:41 > 0:24:43This isn't hurting the snake,
0:24:43 > 0:24:46but it does allow me to show you how incredible it is.
0:24:46 > 0:24:52Now, with the head restrained and the snake really feeling
0:24:52 > 0:24:55like it has nowhere to go,
0:24:55 > 0:25:00the next thing that the rinkhals does...
0:25:00 > 0:25:03is play dead.
0:25:05 > 0:25:06Look at that.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10From the ferocious, agitated moving snake we had before,
0:25:10 > 0:25:12it's gone totally limp.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16So, this is the rinkhals's last line of defence.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19It's been fast, it's been quick, it's been aggressive,
0:25:19 > 0:25:25it's spat venom at me, and now it's just playing dead.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30No motion whatsoever and any animal that won't take dead prey,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33it's not going to be interested, it's going to leave it alone.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Anything that will and gets too close
0:25:35 > 0:25:39is going to get a nasty surprise and probably a bite.
0:25:39 > 0:25:42Now that's what I call a clever snake.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46With its twin tactics of flicking venom and playing dead,
0:25:46 > 0:25:50it definitely deserves a place in at number two.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55It's time for the top ten Deadly Defenders countdown.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03Irritating hairy ten is the goliath bird-eating spider.
0:26:03 > 0:26:06The secretive striking adder lurks at nine.
0:26:06 > 0:26:10Ape-solutely fantastic gorillas pack a punch at number eight.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Spiny seven is the lion-taming punky porcupine.
0:26:13 > 0:26:17In at six, the kamikaze moth butterfly caterpillar.
0:26:17 > 0:26:21The flightless cassowary kicks and scratches its way in at five.
0:26:21 > 0:26:23Spoiling for a fight at four,
0:26:23 > 0:26:25the jack jumper ants sting into the line-up.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Bullish buffalos rampage in at three.
0:26:28 > 0:26:33Playing dead but really deadly at two is the rinkhals spitting cobra.
0:26:33 > 0:26:37But now we come to the number one, the ultimate defender.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40It's the bombardier beetle!
0:26:40 > 0:26:42What? A little beetle?
0:26:42 > 0:26:46Now he might not look like much, but this guy has a secret weapon -
0:26:46 > 0:26:48he's packing heat!
0:26:48 > 0:26:51His archenemies are ants.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55They bite, nip and swarm around him, trying to eat him.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58But don't worry, our bombardier has a seriously impressive trick
0:26:58 > 0:27:01up his sleeve. Well, actually, up his bottom!
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Stored within his abdomen are two powerful liquids
0:27:08 > 0:27:11that he can mix together, creating a chemical reaction so strong
0:27:11 > 0:27:13that it sends a jet of boiling acid out of his rear
0:27:13 > 0:27:16all over attacking ants!
0:27:17 > 0:27:21The liquid is as hot as boiling water, smells disgusting
0:27:21 > 0:27:23and burns anything it touches.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26It's so hot that the beetle has to jet it out in pulses
0:27:26 > 0:27:32of 500 squirts per second to stop him from burning his own bottom!
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Smoking!
0:27:34 > 0:27:36The bombardier beetle - a highly toxic,
0:27:36 > 0:27:40explosive defender that quite frankly blows me away,
0:27:40 > 0:27:42and a worthy winner of number one in my countdown.
0:27:45 > 0:27:50So that's my take on the top ten Deadly Defenders!
0:27:51 > 0:27:56Don't forget to join me next time for more Deadly Top Tens.
0:27:57 > 0:28:01Who's going to be the next deadly number one?
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd