0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to my Nightmares of Nature.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10I'm Naomi Wilkinson
0:00:10 > 0:00:13and I'm coming face to face with the nightmares of the animal world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:21The ones that make your spine tingle,
0:00:21 > 0:00:22your heart beat faster...
0:00:24 > 0:00:28..and your blood run cold. What's that noise?
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Are they truly terrifying?
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Or is there a twist in the tale?
0:00:35 > 0:00:41Come with me as I shine a light on wildlife's deepest, darkest secrets.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45And see if you can guess which will be my worst nightmare?
0:00:47 > 0:00:49This series is all about meeting the animals
0:00:49 > 0:00:52that fill me with horror, and give me the heebie-jeebies.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55And this episode is going to deliver that in droves.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59We're on the East Coast of South Africa.
0:00:59 > 0:01:03Flanked by the Indian Ocean, it has a sub-tropical climate,
0:01:03 > 0:01:05and miles of unspoilt, sandy beaches.
0:01:05 > 0:01:10We'll be searching the seas for the creatures of my worst nightmares
0:01:10 > 0:01:13and looking for some sinister, scavenging flesh eaters.
0:01:13 > 0:01:16We'll also be meeting some of urban Durban's nightmare residents
0:01:16 > 0:01:21and witnessing a very bizarre animal transformation.
0:01:21 > 0:01:26But first up, I'm going to see if I can overcome my biggest fear.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34I love the beach. Love coming to the beach,
0:01:34 > 0:01:35you can do a spot of sunbathing,
0:01:35 > 0:01:39you can play Frisbee, maybe have a barbecue.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41One thing I hardly ever do when I go to the beach
0:01:41 > 0:01:46is go in the sea, out of my depth. And that's not because I can't swim,
0:01:46 > 0:01:49it's because I'm afraid of what's lurking beneath the surface.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52I am petrified of sharks.
0:01:54 > 0:01:56Which might not be such an issue back in Britain,
0:01:56 > 0:01:58but here in South Africa,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01the waters are teeming with these perfect predators.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04There's around a hundred species,
0:02:04 > 0:02:08from fearsome great whites and formidable tiger sharks,
0:02:08 > 0:02:13to aptly named ragged-tooth's and stocky, menacing bull sharks.
0:02:13 > 0:02:18Plenty to be afraid of, and I definitely prefer to stay on land.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20So, of course, what do the crew want me to do?
0:02:20 > 0:02:24They want me to go in search of the biggest shark in the world!
0:02:24 > 0:02:27I certainly couldn't do this alone,
0:02:27 > 0:02:31so I'll be in the capable hands of shark conservationist, Grant.
0:02:31 > 0:02:32What shark is it?
0:02:32 > 0:02:35The whale shark, it's the largest fish in the ocean,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37and the largest shark in the sea.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40I'm guessing it's going to be massive - how big?
0:02:40 > 0:02:43Well. The largest specimens reach about 14 metres,
0:02:43 > 0:02:46which is twice the length of this boat altogether.
0:02:46 > 0:02:50- You're kidding me.- Yeah, reaching about 15 tonnes.
0:02:55 > 0:02:59These exceptional sharks are truly ginormous,
0:02:59 > 0:03:01the size of some of the biggest dinosaurs.
0:03:01 > 0:03:06Their mouths alone can be nearly a metre and a half wide,
0:03:06 > 0:03:09and they swim along holding them agape, as they filter their prey.
0:03:09 > 0:03:13Their distinctive checkerboard markings and broad, flattened heads
0:03:13 > 0:03:16makes them pretty unmistakable.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19They're regular visitors here, but the ocean's a big place,
0:03:19 > 0:03:22and we're going to have our work cut out trying to find one.
0:03:22 > 0:03:23If we don't find one,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26I'm not going to be in the slightest bit disappointed!
0:03:30 > 0:03:35But this series is about nightmares, so it's time to take to the seas.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Woo-hoo!
0:03:48 > 0:03:52Understandably, a little bit nervous today.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55And a little bit scared.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58It looks like it's not all bad,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01there are some pleasant surprises out here.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Loads of bottlenose dolphins!
0:04:07 > 0:04:11Ha, ha, ha, did you see that? Just flew out of the water.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14But sadly, we're not here to see dolphins.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18CAMERAMAN: Whale shark, yes.
0:04:18 > 0:04:20They've spotted a whale shark somewhere.
0:04:20 > 0:04:23A five-metre-long one, not huge.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25But big enough for me, thanks.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29I suppose we'd better check it out.
0:04:29 > 0:04:34There's a really dark shadow between us and the shore. Oooh!
0:04:35 > 0:04:38CAMERAMAN: Oh, yes, I can see it!
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- They're not man-eaters are they? - No, no.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44I don't know what I'm worried about. Whale sharks only eat
0:04:44 > 0:04:48small fish and plankton, so they're absolutely no danger to me,
0:04:48 > 0:04:51but they're huge, and undoubtedly shark-shaped,
0:04:51 > 0:04:53so I'm still very nervous.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Here she comes.
0:04:57 > 0:04:59- Is she coming under the boat? - Here we go.
0:04:59 > 0:05:02- We are completely safe aren't we, Grant?- Completely.
0:05:02 > 0:05:06- Quite near the floor again. - Whoa.- Here she is.
0:05:13 > 0:05:17Oooh, just gotten so wobbly. Cos it's just...
0:05:19 > 0:05:24It's the shape of a shark. It's a big, dark, shape of a shark,
0:05:24 > 0:05:28very close to the boat. Oooh. I can't get over that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:34Here it comes, here it comes, here it comes! Right underneath us!
0:05:36 > 0:05:40There is definitely a grace and elegance to these
0:05:40 > 0:05:42enormous creatures as they cruise through the water.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Now I know a little bit more about it.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52Can I really call it my worst nightmare? I'm not sure if I can.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55Well, actually, Naomi, it's not quite over yet.
0:05:55 > 0:05:58Oh, what?
0:05:58 > 0:05:59Got a little something for you.
0:05:59 > 0:06:03Oh no. "Your shark encounter isn't over yet.
0:06:03 > 0:06:07"Later you'll be meeting the sharks of your nightmares."
0:06:07 > 0:06:10- Yeah.- Oh, no!
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Although whale sharks are huge and intimidating,
0:06:14 > 0:06:16they are gentle giants.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18My next shark challenge will bring me
0:06:18 > 0:06:21face to face with some proper predators.
0:06:30 > 0:06:33But that will have to wait until later.
0:06:33 > 0:06:38First, I'm heading inland to meet a slightly troublesome urban-dweller.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41I love putting out food for the birds at home.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43I get all sorts great tits, bluetits, robins.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46But here in Durban, they have something rather more exotic,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49which isn't always a welcomed visitor.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53In fact, some people here say it's a bit of a nightmare neighbour.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59It's a cute, crafty and very resourceful monkey called
0:06:59 > 0:07:01a vervet. They've earned quite a reputation
0:07:01 > 0:07:06in this part of South Africa for their anti-social behaviour.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10They may look funny, but imagine if you couldn't leave a window open
0:07:10 > 0:07:14for fear of your house being ransacked by these plucky primates.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23Bit different to a seagull stealing your chips, isn't it?
0:07:23 > 0:07:26This centre specialises in rehabilitating vervet monkeys
0:07:26 > 0:07:29that have been rescued, so it's the perfect place
0:07:29 > 0:07:30to find out more about them.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34We're going to do a Nightmares experiment, to demonstrate
0:07:34 > 0:07:37how not much is safe from these clever creatures,
0:07:37 > 0:07:39not even your packed lunch.
0:07:39 > 0:07:45In here I've got a lunchbox, and we've put some fruit inside.
0:07:45 > 0:07:46Got a camera, as well, in here,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49so that we can catch all the close-up action.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52We've also got a little dog toy with some food inside, as well.
0:07:52 > 0:07:57So we're going to see just how clever these monkeys are,
0:07:57 > 0:07:59see if they can get the food out of these.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07Oh, straight in there.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Smelled it.
0:08:16 > 0:08:20Oooh. What's in there?
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Oh, he's sussed out there's some banana in there.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27Just can't figure out how to get to it.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38He's taken it away to try and figure it out.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39He's like, "I've got the tool."
0:08:43 > 0:08:46He's like a little smuggler.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48There's a conundrum.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51How do you get the food out of the ball?
0:08:51 > 0:08:55So agile. You can see how quickly they'd be able to snatch an orange
0:08:55 > 0:08:57out your fruit bowl without you noticing.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00He's eating it, isn't he? He is getting it out.
0:09:00 > 0:09:03He's rolling the ball, the food's coming out and he's eating it.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06He's figured it out. Well done, clever clogs.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09But how are they getting on with that lunchbox?
0:09:11 > 0:09:14They've all got their beady eyes on the lunchbox,
0:09:14 > 0:09:16they know there's food in there.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19It's just whether they've got the courage to come close enough
0:09:19 > 0:09:22towards us to get to it.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Go on, you can do it, boys.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32He's obviously quite enjoying solving the problem
0:09:32 > 0:09:36because he's got a load of fruit here that's very easy to eat.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Oh! He's done it. He's done it.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55What a smart little fella.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59You could see he was so determined, just wasn't going to give up.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02He was looking at it, studying it, thinking, "I can get into this."
0:10:02 > 0:10:05Then all of a sudden, pop! Not interested in the food,
0:10:05 > 0:10:08they wanted to know how to get into the box.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11So, they're a bit mischievous, but they're not bad.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13They're just intelligent and highly adaptable,
0:10:13 > 0:10:17so are constantly figuring out ways of getting easy meals,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20in their increasingly urban world.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23Yeah, bit of a rubbish neighbour, but a nightmare of nature?
0:10:23 > 0:10:25I think that might be a bit harsh.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37Snails. I think it's fair to say that they are pretty unappealing.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40But the ones we're hoping to find today are truly grim.
0:10:40 > 0:10:44As if it isn't nightmarish enough to be ugly and slimy,
0:10:44 > 0:10:46these ghoulish creatures, called plough snails,
0:10:46 > 0:10:50do something really nasty. They eat rotten flesh!
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Urgh! So, here I have some dead fish, and, all being well,
0:10:58 > 0:11:02those plough snails are going to get a waft, and come in to eat them.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Mwahahahaha!
0:11:05 > 0:11:07Urgh!
0:11:07 > 0:11:10We're laying them out along the shore line,
0:11:10 > 0:11:13in the hope that the scent will attract the snails.
0:11:13 > 0:11:17I think the seagulls have already clocked that we're doing this.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20Oh, there's one already! Where is it, where's it gone?
0:11:20 > 0:11:22There, there, there!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25It's already caught the scent of the dead animal,
0:11:25 > 0:11:29and then it's going to surf up the beach to eat the food. Brilliant!
0:11:29 > 0:11:34Yes, you heard right, these snails surf!
0:11:34 > 0:11:39They suck in water to taste for particles of food,
0:11:39 > 0:11:42and when they've detected the trace of rotten flesh,
0:11:42 > 0:11:45they expand their large fleshy foot, catch a wave,
0:11:45 > 0:11:47and ride it up to the shoreline!
0:11:47 > 0:11:49# One way or another
0:11:49 > 0:11:51# I'm gonna find ya
0:11:51 > 0:11:53# I'm gonna getcha, getcha, getcha... #
0:11:53 > 0:11:57Once these strange surfing snails are out of the water,
0:11:57 > 0:11:59they follow the faint scent trail left on the damp sand,
0:11:59 > 0:12:03and almost row up the beach towards their prey.
0:12:03 > 0:12:06And you can see it making those rowing movements,
0:12:06 > 0:12:09so they can move through wet sand, and then the minute the wave
0:12:09 > 0:12:12comes past they stick out that foot and just surf in.
0:12:17 > 0:12:21But it's already extremely close to the fish.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23Not as close as that seagull, Naomi.
0:12:25 > 0:12:28Go away! You're spoiling our experiment.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34Come on, plough snails. Oh, there's one!
0:12:36 > 0:12:38They're definitely getting closer,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42let's just hope they can get to the food before the gulls.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46Go away, go away. Go away!
0:12:48 > 0:12:50You can see where they get their name from,
0:12:50 > 0:12:54they're all leaving little plough tracks in the soft sand.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07Finally, a snail has made it to the fish.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11Time to see some macabre munching.
0:13:11 > 0:13:14And trust me, it's not for the faint-hearted.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Oooh, look at this one. It's found that blood.
0:13:23 > 0:13:26Urgh!
0:13:26 > 0:13:29He is chomping away on that.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32Urgh!
0:13:32 > 0:13:35Oooh. Look at this one. Can you see it?
0:13:35 > 0:13:39You can actually see the bits of fish going down its mouth.
0:13:39 > 0:13:42They use that proboscis to probe into the dead animal
0:13:42 > 0:13:45and suck up the flesh. Urgh!
0:13:45 > 0:13:48And as if that wasn't disturbing enough,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50inside that proboscis are dagger-like teeth,
0:13:50 > 0:13:54used for tearing up the meat. Yuck!
0:13:57 > 0:14:01Urgh! I can feel it all squirming around on my hand.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03Please don't think I'm carrion and try and eat me.
0:14:03 > 0:14:07It is, it thinks I'm food. Look! Thinks I'm food, urgh!
0:14:07 > 0:14:12I can feel it eating my little finger. It's quite scratchy.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Scratching away on my little finger, thinking I'm food.
0:14:19 > 0:14:24So, they are pretty impressive. They're snails which can surf.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Ha-ha. They have an incredible sense of smell.
0:14:28 > 0:14:32But they still are ugly, slimy snails that eat dead things,
0:14:32 > 0:14:34so I don't think we're in any doubt about their
0:14:34 > 0:14:38nightmarish credentials, but are they my worst nightmare?
0:14:44 > 0:14:47After flesh-eating snails and whopping whale sharks,
0:14:47 > 0:14:49I'm in the mood for something a bit nicer,
0:14:49 > 0:14:52and the next animals are certainly that.
0:14:52 > 0:14:54I'm going to meet some owls,
0:14:54 > 0:14:57but I'm not sure how they'll qualify as a nightmare.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02First up, a remarkably cute, little wood owl.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07So, Hank, this is Twiggy, and I understand Twiggy can transform?
0:15:07 > 0:15:11Shall we have a look and see if we can make Twiggy do it?
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Hank owns this rescue centre,
0:15:12 > 0:15:15and is an all-round bird of prey expert.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Oh, don't look behind you, Twiggy.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Now this is Leo and he's a Black Eagle,
0:15:22 > 0:15:28and what's normally happened in the past is Twiggy is a bit
0:15:28 > 0:15:31scared of Leo, so he tries to puff himself up.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35CLATTERS BEAK TOGETHER
0:15:35 > 0:15:37He's making those noises with his beak.
0:15:37 > 0:15:39- Yeah, what's that?- It's also aggression.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43Owls change their shape to try and look bigger,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45as a way of defending themselves.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48But it looks like Twiggy's got another tactic!
0:15:48 > 0:15:51If you don't look at him you're pretending he's not there?
0:15:51 > 0:15:52He's also got a bit used to Leo.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56- Leo doesn't sleep that far from him.- Ah, OK.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00He's been introduced to Leo before. Twiggy's being a bit too brave
0:16:00 > 0:16:04to give much of a demo, so we're going to try another owl.
0:16:04 > 0:16:07This is a Barn Owl and her name is Glory.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10Nice to meet you, Glory. Gotcha.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13We're going to try the eagle again
0:16:13 > 0:16:15- and let's see what happens with that.- All right. Take two.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20She seems a little bit more alert and a little bit more aware
0:16:20 > 0:16:24of things around her, so she might react slightly differently, I think.
0:16:24 > 0:16:26Oooh, watch out behind you.
0:16:26 > 0:16:31Oooh, there we go. Straight away. Now that's an intruder position.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34She is not at all happy. She's even shaking her head.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37- What's she doing that for?- She's trying to make herself look bigger.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40She's trying to tell this eagle, "Don't mess with me.
0:16:40 > 0:16:42"I can protect myself."
0:16:42 > 0:16:44So, why does she shake her head?
0:16:44 > 0:16:47- Part of the motion that she's going through.- Just signalling,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49"Just leave me alone." Whoa!
0:16:49 > 0:16:53- She's also opening her beak and just holding it open.- Absolutely.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57- What's that for?- That's also just a way of glaring, if you want, that she
0:16:57 > 0:17:00can show that she's not an easy meal. She can protect herself.
0:17:00 > 0:17:03Although they're a little alarming when threatened,
0:17:03 > 0:17:05I'm still not convinced.
0:17:05 > 0:17:07But there's one more owl to meet,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10and I'm told it makes a bit of a nightmare transformation.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12So, what does this one do?
0:17:14 > 0:17:17You've actually got to see it to understand how it works.
0:17:17 > 0:17:19OK, let's have a look. See if it'll do it...
0:17:19 > 0:17:22SHE GASPS
0:17:22 > 0:17:24SCARY ORGAN MUSIC
0:17:24 > 0:17:26So, it's elongated its body,
0:17:26 > 0:17:29kind of narrowed its eyes into little slits,
0:17:29 > 0:17:31twisted its wings around.
0:17:31 > 0:17:35And note the horns on his head, how they're now protruding.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38He's telling us, "Hey, I've got horns, I can defend myself.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42"Watch out." We know those are just feathers and we're not scared.
0:17:42 > 0:17:46- Can I go closer?- Let's go inside and see what reaction we can get.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49And he's looking at us, although we can't see any eyes.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52So, why is he doing that?
0:17:52 > 0:17:56He sees us as an intruder, and what he's doing now is showing aggression.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Is he trying to hide by making himself thin?
0:17:59 > 0:18:02Absolutely. Look at the colouration of this bird.
0:18:02 > 0:18:04It looks very similar to an old log with moss on it.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07That bird would be sitting in a tree very quietly
0:18:07 > 0:18:11but he knows we've now seen him. He's not just sitting there quietly.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15He's showing, "Hey, guys, watch out, I can look after myself!"
0:18:15 > 0:18:17If I actually get a little bit closer,
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- now, look, he's become more bulky now.- Red eyes!
0:18:20 > 0:18:24- And the clicking, see? Look at that. - Reddy, orangey eyes.
0:18:24 > 0:18:26Ooh, and now he's puffing himself up.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Look at the one around the corner, too.
0:18:28 > 0:18:30See the whole face has come up now?
0:18:30 > 0:18:34These guys are showing real aggression. Oh, yes.
0:18:34 > 0:18:36Look how wide their eyes have gone.
0:18:42 > 0:18:47Oooh, that's the most amazing transformation, isn't it? Wow.
0:18:47 > 0:18:52So why did they change from being very narrow to being wide and big?
0:18:52 > 0:18:56Initially, the bird was sitting there quietly pretending to be a log.
0:18:56 > 0:18:59Then all of a sudden, the bird realised that it's been seen,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02so what does it do? It now has to show aggression, "You've seen me,
0:19:02 > 0:19:06"but now I have to show you that I can protect myself."
0:19:06 > 0:19:09They're puffed up, the bulging eyes,
0:19:09 > 0:19:12everything about the bird is screaming aggression,
0:19:12 > 0:19:14"Watch out, I mean business."
0:19:14 > 0:19:17It's quite like Dracula when it drew its wing
0:19:17 > 0:19:20in front of its chest and made its eyes all slits.
0:19:20 > 0:19:25Oh, he's gone back to being thin. These are funny, these owls.
0:19:26 > 0:19:29They've put on a perfect display for us.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32We should leave them alone so they can return to their normal size.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34They certainly had the most impressive
0:19:34 > 0:19:38transformation from skinny and twig-like with big feather horns,
0:19:38 > 0:19:42to puffed-up like a big pompom with huge saucer eyes.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45It's almost hard to believe it's the same animal.
0:19:45 > 0:19:47I started off thinking there is no way
0:19:47 > 0:19:50owls could have nightmare qualities, but I've changed my mind!
0:19:50 > 0:19:52Although that white-faced scops owl
0:19:52 > 0:19:57was really comedy doing its Dracula impression, they all did a great job
0:19:57 > 0:20:00of making themselves look fearsome!
0:20:00 > 0:20:02So, maybe they could be my worst nightmare.
0:20:07 > 0:20:11Earlier on, I faced my worst fear, went out on a boat
0:20:11 > 0:20:13and saw a shark in the sea for the first time.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I was very proud of myself. Then I was told that my nightmare
0:20:16 > 0:20:20shark encounter wasn't over yet.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22So, I've come to Rocky Bay, south of Durban,
0:20:22 > 0:20:26to meet a ten-year-old who spends her life living out my bad dreams
0:20:26 > 0:20:30and her mission is to see if she can change my mind about sharks.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32She's going to have her work cut out!
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Ella's been getting close to these top predators
0:20:35 > 0:20:37for most of her life, and today she's going to try to
0:20:37 > 0:20:41demonstrate that it's perfectly safe to get into the water with them.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44They will swim like that but barely even touch you.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47- That close to your face? - Then they'll just swim away.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50And that doesn't frighten you when they go that close to your face?
0:20:50 > 0:20:53- It's exciting.- Is it? Just sends your heart racing?
0:20:53 > 0:20:57- How old were you when you first swam with sharks?- I was three.
0:20:57 > 0:21:01Seriously? You were three years old?
0:21:01 > 0:21:04You're so brave, you're the bravest ten-year-old I've ever met. Wow.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06Because Ella is so young,
0:21:06 > 0:21:09her mum Gail will be getting in with her.
0:21:09 > 0:21:12Today, we're going to have the blacktip shark.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14How big are we talking? As big as me?
0:21:14 > 0:21:15Average size is 2 metres.
0:21:15 > 0:21:19How many sharks are we thinking might come and see us today?
0:21:19 > 0:21:24- Somewhere between five and 60. Just depends.- 60?- 60.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26SHE GASPS
0:21:32 > 0:21:35So, we're back on the water,
0:21:35 > 0:21:38and this time we've got some surf to contend with!
0:21:43 > 0:21:48We're towing a drum containing fish blood and oil,
0:21:48 > 0:21:52which will create a slick and should attract some sharks.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55It shouldn't take long for them to start catching the scent
0:21:55 > 0:21:58and coming in, so I'm mentally preparing myself,
0:21:58 > 0:22:01and keeping a keen lookout.
0:22:01 > 0:22:04- Here we go!- Here we go.- Here we go.
0:22:04 > 0:22:07OK. That wasn't too big.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10No, they're little. They're little sharks.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- Here she is.- Oh, that one really came up over the surface.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Oooh. Wow, it's very close to the boat here.
0:22:17 > 0:22:18There's two, three!
0:22:27 > 0:22:29NAOMI GASPS
0:22:33 > 0:22:37I can't believe I'm being splashed by a shark!
0:22:37 > 0:22:40Oh, this is quite frightening, isn't it?
0:22:40 > 0:22:43I guess it helps a little bit if you try and think of them
0:22:43 > 0:22:47as one's a grandma, one's a mother, one's a child.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50It's helpful to think of them in family group terms.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54- Definitely. They're actually here to live a life.- Yes.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Ella and Gail aren't messing about,
0:22:59 > 0:23:02they've kitted up and are ready to get in.
0:23:09 > 0:23:11She's in the water.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16She's so brave. What a cool kid.
0:23:16 > 0:23:20I have got massive respect for her at the minute.
0:23:20 > 0:23:21Look, she's straight in.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30Ella and Gail are keen for people like me
0:23:30 > 0:23:33to see them in the water with sharks, because they really
0:23:33 > 0:23:36want to change people's attitudes towards these animals.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41Around 70 million are killed every year for their fins,
0:23:41 > 0:23:43so their numbers are falling dramatically.
0:23:43 > 0:23:46If attitudes change, hopefully more will be done
0:23:46 > 0:23:49to try to improve their situation.
0:23:51 > 0:23:53There's a tiny little part of me
0:23:53 > 0:23:57that's a bit envious about what they're seeing.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01I kind of want to overcome this fear.
0:24:01 > 0:24:04I'm tired of being this afraid of sharks.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08I reckon I might try and be brave
0:24:08 > 0:24:11and have a go at getting in the water.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19If Backshall can do it, I can do it.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51My heart is racing!
0:24:55 > 0:25:01I never thought I'd ever find myself swimming in shark-infested waters.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04They're coming so close and they're not small!
0:25:04 > 0:25:07Ooh!
0:25:11 > 0:25:14But they're actually really graceful.
0:25:26 > 0:25:28How was that?
0:25:30 > 0:25:35Quite simply the most terrifying thing I've ever done.
0:25:36 > 0:25:38But, but...
0:25:40 > 0:25:42Let me just calm my nerves.
0:25:45 > 0:25:51It was fantastic. It was brilliant.
0:25:52 > 0:25:57I think I'm just overcome. Yes, I did it!
0:25:58 > 0:26:03That has been a fear all my life and to be so close to a shark...
0:26:03 > 0:26:05I can't believe I've done it!
0:26:05 > 0:26:10They were just beautiful. So slowly swimming by.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15One went so close by me I saw its teeth
0:26:15 > 0:26:18and then it just wasn't interested in me and it just took off.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24It doesn't want to eat me.
0:26:24 > 0:26:26It's just living its life,
0:26:26 > 0:26:31getting on with doing whatever the shark wants to do and I just
0:26:31 > 0:26:35got the privilege of being able to observe it doing that stuff.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40That was unbelievably scary, but brilliant.
0:26:40 > 0:26:42If you're safe with them,
0:26:42 > 0:26:46if I can swim with them, can they really be my worst nightmare?
0:26:57 > 0:27:01So, what was my worst nightmare on South Africa's East Coast?
0:27:01 > 0:27:02I can see how it would be a pain to have to
0:27:02 > 0:27:06monkey-proof your house, but I'm not sure I blame those vervets
0:27:06 > 0:27:08cos they're just trying to get an easy meal.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12It was fascinating to see the scops owl's transformation,
0:27:12 > 0:27:15but after all that, it's just trying to protect itself
0:27:15 > 0:27:16by putting on a display.
0:27:16 > 0:27:19And getting into the water with all those black tips was
0:27:19 > 0:27:22by far and away the most terrifying thing I've ever done,
0:27:22 > 0:27:25but it was a revelation to realise I can get in the water
0:27:25 > 0:27:28with that many sharks and come to no harm.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33So, staggeringly, it's not sharks, but the strange, surfing, macabre
0:27:33 > 0:27:35mollusc that likes to feed on rotten flesh.
0:27:35 > 0:27:40Yes, this time the plough snail is my worst nightmare.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49Shoo! Off! Go away, go away!
0:27:49 > 0:27:52No, no, no. No!
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Go away! Shoo!
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Go away, go away.
0:28:00 > 0:28:04Don't spoil our TV programme. Get lost.
0:28:04 > 0:28:06You're spoiling our experiment!
0:28:06 > 0:28:10Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd