0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to my Nightmares Of Nature.
0:00:03 > 0:00:05HOWLING
0:00:07 > 0:00:09I'm Naomi Wilkinson...
0:00:09 > 0:00:10SHE SCREAMS
0:00:10 > 0:00:14..and I'm coming face-to-face with the nightmares of the animal world.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20The ones that make your spine tingle...
0:00:22 > 0:00:23..your heart beat faster...
0:00:23 > 0:00:25SHE SHRIEKS
0:00:25 > 0:00:27..and your blood run cold.
0:00:29 > 0:00:30Are they truly terrifying?
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Or is there a twist in the tale?
0:00:33 > 0:00:35Whoopee!
0:00:35 > 0:00:37Come with me as I shine a light on
0:00:37 > 0:00:40wildlife's deepest darkest secrets...
0:00:41 > 0:00:45..and see if you can guess which will be my worst nightmare.
0:00:47 > 0:00:51Welcome to Africa, the wildest continent in the world!
0:00:51 > 0:00:53And with a place as wild as this,
0:00:53 > 0:00:55there's a lot of nightmare potential.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01The wildlife here spans some of the biggest...
0:01:02 > 0:01:03..the tallest...
0:01:05 > 0:01:07..and the fastest in the world.
0:01:09 > 0:01:11So, it's a perfect place to go looking
0:01:11 > 0:01:13for some nightmares of nature!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18I'll be travelling all over the southern tip of Africa
0:01:18 > 0:01:20in search of my nightmare nominees
0:01:20 > 0:01:22which include
0:01:22 > 0:01:25a beautiful bird with a terrifying taste for blood...
0:01:25 > 0:01:28Oh, it doesn't half look painful though.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32..a mysterious marine reptile that only emerges
0:01:32 > 0:01:34under the cover of night.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36What if I run? Come on, quick!
0:01:37 > 0:01:41And I'll be coming face to face with Africa's largest crocodilian.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Ah! Look at the size of those teeth, they are terrifying.
0:01:48 > 0:01:53But first, I have a date with THE most dangerous animal in Africa.
0:01:53 > 0:01:55Actually, guys, I was wondering,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58how about we go and see, like, a meerkat?
0:01:58 > 0:02:00They're dangerous, aren't they? Guys?
0:02:00 > 0:02:03OK, Naomi, are we ready to go and look at some hippos?
0:02:06 > 0:02:09Hippos are one of the most aggressive animals
0:02:09 > 0:02:11in the world.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Highly territorial in the water,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16one male rules his stretch of the river.
0:02:16 > 0:02:18And to make sure he keeps control of it,
0:02:18 > 0:02:20he will fight.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22And these battles can be brutal.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25Weighing in at 3.5 tonnes,
0:02:25 > 0:02:29and with razor-sharp canine teeth,
0:02:29 > 0:02:31they can do some serious damage.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34And not just to each other.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Hippos kill more people in Africa than any other animal.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43But these humongous herbivores only eat grass,
0:02:43 > 0:02:47so, are they just guilty of having a bit of a bad attitude?
0:02:53 > 0:02:55I'm heading out into the wild waterways of
0:02:55 > 0:02:59Isimangaliso Wetland Park with park ranger Stacey
0:02:59 > 0:03:02who knows just the place to find these nightmare contenders.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06And with Stacey's keen eye,
0:03:06 > 0:03:08it wasn't long before we spotted our first pod.
0:03:10 > 0:03:12I think we've got them over there. The big black pile of rocks.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16You have got a trained eye. I couldn't see that. Oh, yes!
0:03:16 > 0:03:19And while I was happy to keep my distance,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21Stacey was keen for me to get a closer look.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23- Quite big rocks, aren't they? - Ha, hm.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29You work with a lot of quite dangerous animals in your job,
0:03:29 > 0:03:30- don't you?- Mm-hm.
0:03:30 > 0:03:32Are you afraid of any of the animals?
0:03:32 > 0:03:35Hippos.
0:03:35 > 0:03:37Did you hear that?
0:03:37 > 0:03:40Hippos can bite crocodiles of 3m in half.
0:03:43 > 0:03:44Right. OK.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46Hippos are well scary!
0:03:46 > 0:03:48You wouldn't want to mess with a hippo.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52Well, you have to remember, as cute as what they look,
0:03:52 > 0:03:54they don't give you any warnings.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56- What do you mean?- They just charge.
0:03:56 > 0:03:57- From the water?- Yes.
0:04:06 > 0:04:08Even though they can't tip us over
0:04:08 > 0:04:11they do have teeth that can reach almost a half a metre long,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13so they can put a big hole in the boat.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19I was feeling quite safe on this boat until you said that.
0:04:19 > 0:04:22As long as we keep our distance, we'll be OK.
0:04:23 > 0:04:24Will she...?
0:04:24 > 0:04:27- Now, what does that mean? - She's telling us we're in her way,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29so we're just going to back up a bit.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38And snorting wasn't the only threatening behaviour on display.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40Ah, watch, look, he's yawning! He wants to yawn.
0:04:41 > 0:04:46- Is this yawning...? Is it a sign of aggression?- Territorial.- To us?
0:04:46 > 0:04:47To everybody around.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51The big yawning mouth is definitely a sign of aggression.
0:04:51 > 0:04:52Right.
0:04:54 > 0:04:57They do have one pretty disgusting habit, don't they, hippos?
0:04:57 > 0:04:58Yes, unfortunately, they do, yes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01We've got a nice big male standing up there on the right
0:05:01 > 0:05:04and he might fling his droppings.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07Urgh, that's disgusting!
0:05:09 > 0:05:11Yes, you heard correctly.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14Male hippos mark their territory by flicking their tail
0:05:14 > 0:05:16from side to side,
0:05:16 > 0:05:20propelling their poo as far and wide as they possibly can.
0:05:20 > 0:05:21IT GRUNTS
0:05:21 > 0:05:24It's designed as a warning to other males
0:05:24 > 0:05:27to keep off their patch.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29And it would certainly keep me at a distance!
0:05:30 > 0:05:32I don't recommend chucking your poo around at home
0:05:32 > 0:05:34to try and make yourself look bigger.
0:05:34 > 0:05:37Get in a right mess. It'd be gross.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39I've only been in the company of these huge hippos
0:05:39 > 0:05:41for a very short time.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45But I've already seen some serious nightmare potential.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49The only reason we're able to get this close to wild hippos is
0:05:49 > 0:05:52because we've got this big old boat between us and them.
0:05:52 > 0:05:55And I think that might be our cue to leave.
0:05:55 > 0:05:57Honestly, they've got some revolting habits,
0:05:57 > 0:06:00and I've certainly seen signs of their aggression today.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02I wouldn't want to get any closer than this!
0:06:06 > 0:06:09My crew, however, have other ideas,
0:06:09 > 0:06:11and are sending me to meet a couple
0:06:11 > 0:06:13who have a rather strange house guest.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16- Hello.- Hello, hello.
0:06:16 > 0:06:18- Naomi.- Tonie.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23- Very nice to meet you.- Same here.
0:06:23 > 0:06:24Now, Tonie, is this right?
0:06:24 > 0:06:27Do you live alongside a wild hippo?
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Yes, we certainly do.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31What?
0:06:31 > 0:06:32May I come and meet her?
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- With pleasure. Follow me. - And this is safe?
0:06:34 > 0:06:36- It's safe.- OK.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39- As long as you do what I say.- I will.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Yes, Tonie is about to introduce me to Jessica,
0:06:43 > 0:06:47a wild hippo left orphaned after severe floods 14 years ago.
0:06:47 > 0:06:52This feels very strange going to meet a hippopotamus.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56And having been pretty close to these humongous hippos in the wild,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59I'm feeling more than a little nervous about what's in store.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01Ahh!
0:07:02 > 0:07:04- And this is Jessica?- That's Jessica.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09- That's Jessica.- OK, so is there anything I need to know and...?
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Yes. Don't approach her from the side.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14- Approach her from the front.- OK.- OK?
0:07:14 > 0:07:16And armed with that reassuring advice,
0:07:16 > 0:07:19Jessica wanted to make her own introductions.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- Come over here.- Are you serious? - Can you reach here?- Yes. Ooh!
0:07:28 > 0:07:30- Am I standing in a good place? - Yes, you are.
0:07:30 > 0:07:32It feels like she's going to come straight up.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34- Come in front of her here.- OK.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37How else would a wild hippo start their day,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40but with four litres of sweet tea?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42SHE LAUGHS
0:07:42 > 0:07:44I don't even know how to describe this experience,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47it's just the weirdest thing ever...
0:07:47 > 0:07:50feeding a hippo tea.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52And you seem very, very happy.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53And now...
0:07:53 > 0:07:55- She's all right?- ..kissy. Kissy.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Hello.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I just kissed a hippopotamus.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04Sorry, I might have got a bit of lipstick on you there.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Sorry, Jessica.
0:08:06 > 0:08:08This is unreal.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13- How sweet?- She really likes you.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Oh, Jessica. Thank you.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21After devouring the tea, it's time for her second course,
0:08:21 > 0:08:23that common hippo food...
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- Patatas.- Potatoes.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28- Sweet potatoes.- Sweet potatoes.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32Touch her nose and just put it in.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37Touch her nose and just put it in, OK?
0:08:38 > 0:08:40- Grab some food there.- OK.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43- Hello, Jessica.- Touch her nose. - So, just like that?
0:08:43 > 0:08:46On the wire, and then just...
0:08:46 > 0:08:48- Keep on feeding.- Like that?
0:08:48 > 0:08:52Oh, good grief, look at the size of those teeth! This is... Like this?
0:08:52 > 0:08:54- Yeah?- That's it. Just keep on feeding.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Ah, what a...
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I can't believe I am feeding a hippo.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Yes, it's a great honour feeding her.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01She is a wild hippo.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03She also goes down to the other hippos.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06- Oh, she's got some hippo friends? - Many hippos in the area.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10Being a female, she's accepted by all of them.
0:09:10 > 0:09:12That's brilliant, isn't it?
0:09:12 > 0:09:15But you would never get this close to a wild hippo, would you?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17- Yes, you would.- Well, apart from Jessica.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19You won't live to tell the tale.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20THEY LAUGH
0:09:22 > 0:09:27I know they're really dangerous animals but she's so adorable.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30You can't help but fall in love with her.
0:09:30 > 0:09:33Cute little face. Hello.
0:09:33 > 0:09:37Well, it has been an incredible experience to meet Jessica,
0:09:37 > 0:09:41a real privilege that she allows me to get this close to her,
0:09:41 > 0:09:44a wild, dangerous animal.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48But I'm under no illusions. I know that hippos are exactly that -
0:09:48 > 0:09:49dangerous, wild animals.
0:09:49 > 0:09:53And I think Jessica here is the only exception to that rule.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55So, for that reason, I'm going to say that
0:09:55 > 0:09:58hippos could be my worst nightmare.
0:09:58 > 0:09:59Sorry, Jessica.
0:10:03 > 0:10:07The next animal on my list can be found right here on this very beach,
0:10:07 > 0:10:08but not during the day.
0:10:08 > 0:10:09It only comes out
0:10:09 > 0:10:13on the darkest of nights, when there's very little moonlight.
0:10:14 > 0:10:17As the sun sets on this beach paradise,
0:10:17 > 0:10:21creatures begin to emerge from the darkness.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Clawed, ghost-like crustaceans
0:10:23 > 0:10:26surface from their underground burrows in search of food...
0:10:28 > 0:10:32..and opportunistic omnivores stalk the shoreline
0:10:32 > 0:10:34in the hope of a midnight feast.
0:10:36 > 0:10:40And if all of that doesn't make this place a sinister setting,
0:10:40 > 0:10:45in the depth of the darkness, monsters emerge from the ocean.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Now that night's fallen, we've come back to the beach,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56but we can't head down there with any light at all
0:10:56 > 0:10:58or we may scare it straight back into the sea.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00So, lights off everybody.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05Let's go and look for a dinosaur of the deep.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08So, the crew and I head out on our nocturnal search,
0:11:08 > 0:11:11hoping to find our next nightmare nominee.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13Our infrared night cameras
0:11:13 > 0:11:15are able to see in the dark.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18We, on the other hand, cannot see a thing.
0:11:18 > 0:11:22It is pitch black, we are struggling to see anything at all.
0:11:22 > 0:11:26But what we're trying to spot is a big thick track
0:11:26 > 0:11:27coming out of the sea.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30Now, obviously, this is an animal that's designed to be in the water,
0:11:30 > 0:11:32not on the land. And they are really heavy,
0:11:32 > 0:11:35so the imprints they make in the sand are quite distinctive.
0:11:35 > 0:11:38And, all being well, we should be able to spot one.
0:11:39 > 0:11:42And it wasn't long before we found what we were looking for.
0:11:43 > 0:11:45This is it, this is it. This is a track.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48Oh, and it's a really big one which is a good sign.
0:11:48 > 0:11:52So, if we follow this up carefully and quietly she may be up there.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04(Oh, she's huge!)
0:12:06 > 0:12:07Oh, my word.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13So, this is a loggerhead turtle.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15But now that I'm up close,
0:12:15 > 0:12:18it's not the monster I was expecting.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21This really is an incredible sight.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26During the breeding season, the females make their way up
0:12:26 > 0:12:29onto the beach for a very special night.
0:12:29 > 0:12:32It's the night they lay their eggs,
0:12:32 > 0:12:34and that's why she's hauled herself out of the sea.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38She's already begun laying her eggs,
0:12:38 > 0:12:41so that means she's entered a sort of trance-like state,
0:12:41 > 0:12:43so she's not even aware of our presence.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46We're not disturbing her at all now.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50You can see she's dug out a big pit using her flippers.
0:12:50 > 0:12:52And in that big deep hole down there,
0:12:52 > 0:12:55that's where she's delivering her eggs.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Each female that makes it up onto this beach
0:12:57 > 0:13:00will lay up to 190 eggs
0:13:00 > 0:13:02before they cover them over with sand
0:13:02 > 0:13:04and then make their way back down to the sea.
0:13:15 > 0:13:19Having seen these mysterious marine marvels up close,
0:13:19 > 0:13:22there is no way I can call them one of my nightmares of nature.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26This experience is just way too magical.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28But...there is a bit of a twist in this tale,
0:13:28 > 0:13:31because the beach that these turtles nest on,
0:13:31 > 0:13:34becomes a PLACE of nightmares.
0:13:35 > 0:13:40When turtle hatchlings emerge they are tiny and vulnerable.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44Determined to make it to the sea, they embark on their
0:13:44 > 0:13:45gruelling journey.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53But it is now that the beaches become a battle ground,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55a place of nightmares.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57SQUAWKING
0:13:57 > 0:14:00These predators have been waiting for this very moment.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04And, for the hatchlings, there is nowhere to hide.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22For adult turtles, their size is their main defence.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24But for these little guys,
0:14:24 > 0:14:25when they eventually hatch
0:14:25 > 0:14:27they are going to face a nightmare journey,
0:14:27 > 0:14:30a race for their lives down to the sea.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Only 1 in 1,000 hatchlings on average
0:14:33 > 0:14:34make it through to adulthood.
0:14:34 > 0:14:39And that makes this beach a top contender for my worst nightmare.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48For my next encounter we're leaving the coast behind
0:14:48 > 0:14:50and heading inland,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54where I'm hoping to meet a rather surprising candidate.
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Now, I'm a big fan of birds.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59In fact, I might go as far as saying
0:14:59 > 0:15:00they're some of my favourite animals.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04But there is one very small, very beautiful bird that lives here
0:15:04 > 0:15:07which could prove to be a bit of a nightmare.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13The bird I've come to find is the oxpecker.
0:15:18 > 0:15:22But how can a bird this beautiful be a nightmare?
0:15:23 > 0:15:26To help me find out, Dr Ian Whyte,
0:15:26 > 0:15:29who has studied oxpeckers for 13 years,
0:15:29 > 0:15:32is going to help me reveal their nightmare credentials.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37- Uh-oh, look who's come to see us straightaway.- Here they are.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41- These are red-billed oxpeckers. - These are the red-billed oxpeckers.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Shall we go over here to see if they'll come and sit...?
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Oh, oh! It's come straight onto my head. Oh!
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Oh, they're quite cute, aren't they?
0:15:50 > 0:15:51Ian, you're going to have your work cut out
0:15:51 > 0:15:55trying to encourage me that these are a nightmare.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56They're so lovely!
0:15:56 > 0:15:58They're very dainty, aren't they?
0:15:58 > 0:15:59So, they've got... They're very grippy.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01What's that for? Why do they...?
0:16:01 > 0:16:03Well, they need to cling on the sides of animals,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05so they can go all over them, on their sides,
0:16:05 > 0:16:07actually even under their belly,
0:16:07 > 0:16:09they can hang upside down.
0:16:09 > 0:16:11That's what's really unusual about these birds, isn't it?
0:16:11 > 0:16:12Sat on the camera at the moment.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Is because they have got wings, they're perfectly capable of flying,
0:16:15 > 0:16:18and yet, instead, they choose to just hitch a ride?
0:16:18 > 0:16:20Yeah, they're very strong fliers in fact,
0:16:20 > 0:16:22and they do fly from animal to animal.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24They'll sit on a buffalo for a while
0:16:24 > 0:16:27and then fly onto the next buffalo, so, they move around a lot.
0:16:27 > 0:16:29And what are they looking for?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31They're looking for parasites.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36Oxpeckers feed on ticks and parasites which have attached
0:16:36 > 0:16:40themselves to the skin and coats of wandering mammals.
0:16:40 > 0:16:45Adult oxpeckers can munch their way through hundreds of ticks each day.
0:16:45 > 0:16:50Not to mention the dandruff and earwax to round off their menu!
0:16:50 > 0:16:51Urgh!
0:16:53 > 0:16:56Using their beaks, much like a pair of scissors,
0:16:56 > 0:16:58they comb through the coats of their hosts,
0:16:58 > 0:17:02clearing them of these pesky pests.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04So, they're doing a really useful job then.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07It may turn my stomach a little bit to think of eating parasites
0:17:07 > 0:17:10but they really are perfect companions for the mammals,
0:17:10 > 0:17:13aren't they? Cos the mammals give them a free ride, and in return,
0:17:13 > 0:17:15they're getting rid of all of those annoying itches.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18It's a win-win situation for both of them.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22- So, even with one feeding inside your ear at the moment...- Yeah.
0:17:22 > 0:17:25..you would say that these birds do more good than harm?
0:17:25 > 0:17:26Ah, absolutely, yeah.
0:17:26 > 0:17:28Do you think they are at all nightmarish?
0:17:28 > 0:17:30You know, they do... They are known
0:17:30 > 0:17:33in the softer-skinned animals to open up sores.
0:17:33 > 0:17:35And then they actually feed on little bits
0:17:35 > 0:17:38of flesh and blood that they can pull off.
0:17:38 > 0:17:40- They feed on blood?- Yeah.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46So, eating parasites and ticks was just the beginning.
0:17:46 > 0:17:51It turns out these pretty peckers are creatures of nightmares.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54They get a lot of blood in their diet from the engorged ticks
0:17:54 > 0:17:55that they eat.
0:17:55 > 0:17:59But with a tantalizing taste for it, they also peck away
0:17:59 > 0:18:01at already open wounds,
0:18:01 > 0:18:04feeding their voracious vampire-like appetite.
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Urgh, did I say birds were my favourite?
0:18:09 > 0:18:11Changing my mind rapidly.
0:18:11 > 0:18:13Ah, look at them go! Does it hurt?
0:18:13 > 0:18:16It's a little painful, you know, your skin is a bit sensitive.
0:18:16 > 0:18:17- I'm not a buffalo but...- Yeah.
0:18:17 > 0:18:20- I'm sure, for a human...- It's a lot more sensitive...
0:18:21 > 0:18:24- He's trying to...- Oh, he's going to draw blood. Oh, no.
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Not yet, not yet.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28Oh, he has a little bit, there, look. He's drawn blood!
0:18:28 > 0:18:29Oh, no.
0:18:29 > 0:18:32And it wasn't long before these blood-thirsty birds
0:18:32 > 0:18:37saw an opportunity in our somewhat soft-skinned crew.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39- Oh, he's going at your arm now, Jacques. Are you all right?- Yeah.
0:18:39 > 0:18:42- He's drawing blood, look.- He's opening up a wound, a sore there.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44Oh! Oh! Oi-oi-oi.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46DR IAN LAUGHS
0:18:46 > 0:18:48Well, maybe they are a nightmare. Are you all right?
0:18:48 > 0:18:51Oh, they really go for it, don't they?
0:18:51 > 0:18:53Do you want a handkerchief?
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- No, don't worry, I've got one.- Do you want to just...?
0:18:55 > 0:18:58Please, leave Ian alone now.
0:18:58 > 0:19:00You're full up, surely. Go away.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02Little Dracula bird.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04HE LAUGHS
0:19:04 > 0:19:10Now I really don't like them! Ohh!
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Now I've just seen what you do to Ian,
0:19:12 > 0:19:15I don't want you to draw blood on me, please.
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Oh, scratchy little things.
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Well, I'm really surprised.
0:19:22 > 0:19:23I never thought I'd say that a bird,
0:19:23 > 0:19:25especially one this beautiful,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27I would describe as a nightmare of nature.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29It shows that looks can be deceiving.
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Hiding under this sweet, innocent appearance
0:19:32 > 0:19:34is a piggy-backing, parasite-munching,
0:19:34 > 0:19:35blood-slurping contender,
0:19:35 > 0:19:38and could definitely be my worst nightmare.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Have you had enough, Ian? I have.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Come on, let's get out of here. Ooh.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51We all know that Nile crocodiles are creatures of nightmares,
0:19:51 > 0:19:53cold-blooded killers.
0:19:53 > 0:19:57But are these killer instincts engrained from birth?
0:19:57 > 0:19:59All babies are cute when they're born...right?!
0:20:03 > 0:20:06I've come to a reptile park to meet Martin...
0:20:08 > 0:20:10..who may have the answers.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16Aren't they adorable?
0:20:16 > 0:20:18CHIRPING
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Ah, they're so cute!
0:20:20 > 0:20:23But, with feeding time approaching,
0:20:23 > 0:20:26I may be about to change my mind.
0:20:31 > 0:20:34(Did you see how fast that one moved?)
0:20:34 > 0:20:35Pff!
0:20:35 > 0:20:38So, they just grabbed it, and they're just shaking it
0:20:38 > 0:20:41- to try and break off the bits? - That's right, yeah.
0:20:41 > 0:20:44Here they come. So, they've dragged it into the water?
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Yes, and that's exactly what they would do out in nature as well.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50- And there you go...- Oh, yes, I just saw it - twirl, twirl, twirl?
0:20:50 > 0:20:52- Yes.- Twisted off a piece. - And, as you can see,
0:20:52 > 0:20:54they become very aggressive during feeding times,
0:20:54 > 0:20:57so they actually will fight over the pieces of meat.
0:20:57 > 0:20:59- Oh, it's a real squabble, isn't it? - Hm!
0:21:00 > 0:21:04So, their bite is still very powerful even though they're babies?
0:21:04 > 0:21:07Yes, that's correct, they'll be able to draw blood without a doubt.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10And obviously, the bigger they get, the more damage
0:21:10 > 0:21:12they could potentially do if they do bite you.
0:21:12 > 0:21:14That is seriously scary. So, even as babies they are
0:21:14 > 0:21:17- natural-born killers, aren't they? - Yes.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19I'm glad I'm only meeting baby crocs today.
0:21:21 > 0:21:24Oh, I'm not just meeting baby crocs today.
0:21:24 > 0:21:26"Did you really think you'd get away with it that easily?
0:21:26 > 0:21:28"Baby crocs are one thing, but if you want to know
0:21:28 > 0:21:31"if the Nile crocodile is a nightmare of nature,
0:21:31 > 0:21:34"you're going to need to delve deep into the world of adults."
0:21:36 > 0:21:37Nightmare!
0:21:40 > 0:21:43Having already been convinced that the babies aren't
0:21:43 > 0:21:45quite as cute as they appear,
0:21:45 > 0:21:46I can't say I'm looking forward
0:21:46 > 0:21:50to coming face to face with their super-sized relatives.
0:21:52 > 0:21:56So, all that's going to be between me and those colossal crocs...
0:21:56 > 0:21:58is this cage.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01I am definitely going to be keeping my arms inside!
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Reluctantly, I kit up. If I'm going to be submerged under the water
0:22:05 > 0:22:08for any length of time, I'm going to need all
0:22:08 > 0:22:10the relevant equipment.
0:22:10 > 0:22:13And, trying to calm my nerves today is Daniel,
0:22:13 > 0:22:15my dive supervisor.
0:22:17 > 0:22:22With our safety checks complete, it was time to take the plunge.
0:22:22 > 0:22:23Oh, my goodness.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Ah, we're going up! Ahh!
0:22:27 > 0:22:29Ah! The croc's just waiting for us.
0:22:31 > 0:22:33And he didn't have long to wait.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37Ah.
0:22:40 > 0:22:41Well, my feet are in now, so...
0:22:45 > 0:22:47Ah, breathe, Naomi, breathe.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52SHE BREATHES THROUGH MASK
0:22:54 > 0:22:55Ah.
0:22:57 > 0:22:59Oh!
0:22:59 > 0:23:03I don't mind telling you, I feel very nervous in here...
0:23:03 > 0:23:05just seeing the size of it in front of me.
0:23:07 > 0:23:12Whooooa. This is...a bit frightening
0:23:13 > 0:23:16Here we go, here it comes. Ah-ah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:17Ah-ah.
0:23:18 > 0:23:20Deep breath, deep breath. Right.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Oh, my word, it's looking straight at me.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Whoa!
0:23:27 > 0:23:31Whoa, he's opened his mouth to show us those teeth!
0:23:31 > 0:23:33They look terrifying.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37He's giving us a nice big show of them at the moment.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Ah, it's absolutely incredible
0:23:42 > 0:23:46to think that those cute little hatchlings turn into these
0:23:46 > 0:23:48huge predators.
0:23:48 > 0:23:49Look at the size of him.
0:23:50 > 0:23:55Nile crocodiles are the largest crocodilian in Africa.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58They can reach 6m in length,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01and weigh in at an impressive 730kg...
0:24:03 > 0:24:06..which is more than 12 times the weight of me.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14I think this is what I find most frightening about crocs,
0:24:14 > 0:24:15is they just lay motionless.
0:24:15 > 0:24:17Doesn't even look real.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19You can barely see him breathing.
0:24:19 > 0:24:21But then, in the blink of an eye,
0:24:21 > 0:24:24in an absolute flash, they can whip into action.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29Nile crocodiles are the masters of disguise.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34They lie in wait, almost totally submerged,
0:24:34 > 0:24:36patiently awaiting passing prey.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Without warning, they launch themselves out of the water,
0:24:46 > 0:24:50and lock onto their prey with those incredibly powerful jaws.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55And this croc is giving me a prey's-eye view
0:24:55 > 0:24:57of that terrifying toolkit.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Look at those teeth!
0:25:00 > 0:25:04They're not actually designed to tear away at flesh.
0:25:04 > 0:25:08They actually just sink deep into their victim,
0:25:08 > 0:25:12and they can drag their prey back into the water, drown it,
0:25:12 > 0:25:15before they perform that infamous death roll.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30They may only eat insects and spiders and small fish
0:25:30 > 0:25:31when they're little
0:25:31 > 0:25:34but at this size they would have absolutely no problem
0:25:34 > 0:25:38in taking down a wildebeest or a buffalo,
0:25:38 > 0:25:40or dare I say it...even me.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43With that sobering thought,
0:25:43 > 0:25:46and while we're still in one piece...
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Ooh! Ha-ha.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51..I think it's time for us to make our exit.
0:25:54 > 0:25:57SHE SQUEALS
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I can safely say, whether babies or adults,
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Nile crocodiles are pretty perfect predators.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Let us out of here!
0:26:11 > 0:26:13Let me out.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14SHE LAUGHS
0:26:15 > 0:26:17Ah.
0:26:20 > 0:26:24That was absolutely insane.
0:26:24 > 0:26:27So terrifying. I can't believe I've just been that close
0:26:27 > 0:26:29to one of the most dangerous animals on the planet
0:26:29 > 0:26:32with just this between me and it!
0:26:33 > 0:26:38No doubt about it, those prehistoric predators of huge proportions
0:26:38 > 0:26:41are a nightmare, and one which could definitely
0:26:41 > 0:26:43snap up pole position.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Well that's it. My wild African adventure
0:26:48 > 0:26:51is almost over, and my nerves are very grateful
0:26:51 > 0:26:53cos I've met some truly terrifying candidates.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56So, all that's left for me to do is decide which one
0:26:56 > 0:26:57was my biggest nightmare.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Could it be the pretty peckers with a positively putrid palate?
0:27:03 > 0:27:05Ooh!
0:27:06 > 0:27:08This seemingly-beautiful beach
0:27:08 > 0:27:11hiding a whole host of deadly dangers...
0:27:11 > 0:27:13THEY SQUAWK
0:27:16 > 0:27:21..or coming eye to eye with a seriously snappy crocodile?
0:27:21 > 0:27:23Whoa. Those teeth...
0:27:23 > 0:27:26look terrifying.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29All of them, pretty petrifying, all deserving of a place
0:27:29 > 0:27:30on my list of nightmares,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32but the top spot has to go to
0:27:32 > 0:27:35Africa's most inhospitable inhabitant.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Yes, my worst nightmare here is the
0:27:37 > 0:27:39humongous hippo.
0:27:41 > 0:27:42GRUNTING
0:27:47 > 0:27:49BUBBLING
0:27:51 > 0:27:53It's a brilliant sound. Funny.
0:27:53 > 0:27:55He let off some gas.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57SHE LAUGHS