0:00:02 > 0:00:03Welcome to my Nightmares Of Nature.
0:00:07 > 0:00:08I'm Naomi Wilkinson.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10SHE SCREAMS Oh, my goodness!
0:00:10 > 0:00:12And I'm coming face-to-face with the nightmares
0:00:12 > 0:00:15of the animal world.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Ohh!
0:00:16 > 0:00:19The ones that make your spine tingle...
0:00:19 > 0:00:20SHE WHIMPERS
0:00:20 > 0:00:21..your heart beat faster...
0:00:23 > 0:00:25There it is! There it is!
0:00:25 > 0:00:27..and your blood run cold.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30Are they truly terrifying?
0:00:32 > 0:00:33Or is there a twist in the tail?
0:00:35 > 0:00:39'Come with me as I shine a light on wildlife's deepest,'
0:00:39 > 0:00:40darkest secrets.
0:00:41 > 0:00:45And see if you can guess which will be my worst nightmare.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50'Ten countries.
0:00:51 > 0:00:53'Over 50 animals.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57'And a whole lot of nasty nightmares.'
0:00:57 > 0:00:59SHE GASPS
0:00:59 > 0:01:01Ah!
0:01:01 > 0:01:06'This series, I've brought you the best of the worst in the world.'
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Look at that eight-legged monstrosity.
0:01:11 > 0:01:15'But we packed so much into our globetrotting travels,
0:01:15 > 0:01:17'that there are some nightmare naughties...'
0:01:17 > 0:01:19SHE GAGS
0:01:19 > 0:01:21'..we simply couldn't squish into the other shows.
0:01:23 > 0:01:25'So I present to you...'
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Naomi's Nightmares Of Nature - Bonus Bites.
0:01:30 > 0:01:32My unseen adventures start
0:01:32 > 0:01:36in my favourite nightmare-hunting destination.
0:01:36 > 0:01:37The Bahamas.
0:01:39 > 0:01:40Oh, yes!
0:01:41 > 0:01:45'But, of course, the crew know how to ruin a good holiday.'
0:01:46 > 0:01:50All they said was be at Compass Quay jetty at high tide,
0:01:50 > 0:01:53don't be late and look for clues in the sand.
0:01:58 > 0:01:59A stethoscope.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04A toy shark.
0:02:04 > 0:02:05Oh.
0:02:08 > 0:02:10And a vacuum cleaner.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13What on earth?
0:02:14 > 0:02:17A medical shark that likes cleaning?
0:02:17 > 0:02:19What?!
0:02:20 > 0:02:23Well, I can see lots of dark shapes circling in the water
0:02:23 > 0:02:26but seeing as I know this nightmare contender's going to meet me
0:02:26 > 0:02:27on dry land,
0:02:27 > 0:02:29at least I know it's not going to be a shark.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34Is it?
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Of course it is.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40And now I get the inflatable shark and stethoscope.
0:02:41 > 0:02:43They're nurse sharks.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Very good, crew, well done.
0:02:47 > 0:02:48Not as daft as you look, are you?
0:02:50 > 0:02:53I must be daft to consider going near one, though.
0:02:54 > 0:02:59Their mouths may be small but they have a vice-like grip
0:02:59 > 0:03:03designed not for biting but for sucking and grinding their prey
0:03:03 > 0:03:05to death.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10They cruise around the seabed ambushing unsuspecting shellfish,
0:03:10 > 0:03:12like this conk.
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Placing their chops over the entrance,
0:03:16 > 0:03:21they suck until the struggling snail ends up in that mashing mouth
0:03:21 > 0:03:24to be dispatched in a few short gulps.
0:03:26 > 0:03:30Normally, on land, I feel safe from sharks...
0:03:30 > 0:03:32'but not here.'
0:03:32 > 0:03:34Hang on, they're all on the jetty.
0:03:34 > 0:03:39Hopefully Tucker can shed some light on this bizarre scene.
0:03:40 > 0:03:43- Am I safe to come down here? Yeah? - Yeah.
0:03:44 > 0:03:46How come they've all come up here?
0:03:46 > 0:03:48- What do you do?- Feed them.
0:03:48 > 0:03:49- You feed them?- Yeah.
0:03:49 > 0:03:52For years, Tucker's put food out for them.
0:03:52 > 0:03:55First, for two sharks, then they bred.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58And now all their little ones come too,
0:03:58 > 0:04:01through choice, everyday, at high tide
0:04:01 > 0:04:04when the water helps them up onto the jetty.
0:04:05 > 0:04:07This is really weird. I'm standing in a load of sharks.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10- SHE GASPS - Relax.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12- Are you sure?- Yeah.- I might just move away from its mouth.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16I can't believe you're just standing there with your bare feet.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18You're not worried he's going to think your toes are fish?
0:04:18 > 0:04:20They would if you just swipe it in front of their mouth
0:04:20 > 0:04:23- but that's what you don't want to do.- No.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27'If I do get my toes too close, this is what will happen.
0:04:27 > 0:04:29'Feeding time!'
0:04:29 > 0:04:31Drop it in front of that one there.
0:04:31 > 0:04:33SHARK GULPS NAOMI GASPS
0:04:35 > 0:04:37SHE LAUGHS NERVOUSLY
0:04:37 > 0:04:39That nearly bit the other one's face off.
0:04:40 > 0:04:42- That's quite a scary sound, isn't it?- It is.
0:04:45 > 0:04:47NAOMI SLURPS
0:04:47 > 0:04:50SHARK GULPS
0:04:50 > 0:04:52That sound! SHE SLURPS
0:04:54 > 0:04:55Don't you suck my toes.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01Nurse shark mouths are so powerful
0:05:01 > 0:05:04it's said they can suck with the power of ten vacuum cleaners.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07VACUUM CLEANER WHIRS
0:05:09 > 0:05:13Which is why I'm so concerned for my poor feet.
0:05:13 > 0:05:16Oh. Erm...right.
0:05:16 > 0:05:17Goodness me!
0:05:17 > 0:05:19SHE SIGHS NERVOUSLY
0:05:19 > 0:05:21I'm really on edge. Relax!
0:05:21 > 0:05:23It's fine. Stay there, you.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25See what I'm doing?
0:05:25 > 0:05:27- You're petting them!- Yeah.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30- Can I touch one then?- Yeah, touch this one right here.
0:05:30 > 0:05:31Wow!
0:05:31 > 0:05:34'It feels like slimy sandpaper.'
0:05:34 > 0:05:36Giving me a little hand manicure there.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Cor! I never thought I'd do this.
0:05:40 > 0:05:42SHE GIGGLES EXCITEDLY
0:05:42 > 0:05:45'Being so close is strangely calming.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49'I'm even getting used to the sound of them chomping.'
0:05:50 > 0:05:52What's their favourite food?
0:05:52 > 0:05:55They like squid, chicken, steak.
0:05:55 > 0:05:56- Medium rare.- Medium rare!
0:05:57 > 0:05:59They like it medium rare.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01Like the crews' sunburnt feet.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04Brave, come on. Next one down.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I don't want to go. I'm not.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10I'm staying here. I don't particularly want to lose my toes.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14'Wusses! They need to take a leaf out of Tucker's book.'
0:06:14 > 0:06:15Just chilling out.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Just got a shark on your foot.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's no wonder they're so calm around Tucker,
0:06:21 > 0:06:24he protects them from the threat of fishermen.
0:06:25 > 0:06:29Making sure they're around for future generations to appreciate.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33If you treat them with respect, they'll treat you the same way.
0:06:33 > 0:06:35Well, it's really nice to meet you.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37Thanks for coming up to say hi
0:06:37 > 0:06:39without me having to get my wet suit on for once.
0:06:39 > 0:06:40Makes a nice change.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46If this was a competition for slurping up a meal,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49then I think the nurse sharks would easily take the gold medal.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52But can I call such a punctual shark,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55polite enough to come and meet me up here on the jetty,
0:06:55 > 0:06:57my worst nightmare?
0:07:03 > 0:07:07This series, I travelled further than I've ever travelled before.
0:07:08 > 0:07:12All the way upside down to New Zealand.
0:07:14 > 0:07:18There I found a home away from home.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21Familiar green pastures,
0:07:21 > 0:07:24familiar burpy sheep...
0:07:24 > 0:07:26SHEEP BAHS AND BURPS
0:07:26 > 0:07:29But when it came to their garden critters,
0:07:29 > 0:07:33there the familiarity ended, as I was about to find out.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38The crew haven't told me very much about what I'm doing here today
0:07:38 > 0:07:41and that is never a good sign, is it?
0:07:41 > 0:07:43Go on, then, what's in store?
0:07:49 > 0:07:51SHE GASPS What?!
0:07:51 > 0:07:52Eugh!
0:07:52 > 0:07:54'Want to see what I'm seeing?'
0:08:03 > 0:08:07SHE GAGS That is totally gross.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13Snails, not exact scary.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Well, think again.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21New Zealand has some of the largest land snails in the world.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25But it's not the lettuce patch you need to worry about.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28These ones eat meat.
0:08:28 > 0:08:32Schlurping up worms like they're spaghetti.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35So gross!
0:08:35 > 0:08:37It's amazing.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39And it's time to meet some.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Courtesy of Auckland Zoo snail keeper Donald.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47They're pretty sensitive to vibration, so tippy toes.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49WHISPERS: Tiptoe, crew. Shhh!
0:08:50 > 0:08:51Thank you.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55And here they are...the sinister slurpers.
0:08:57 > 0:08:58This is an empty shell
0:08:58 > 0:09:00but this is the kind of size they get to.
0:09:00 > 0:09:01That's a pretty good size, isn't it,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03- for a snail?- Whooping, isn't it?
0:09:03 > 0:09:04But are they fast?
0:09:04 > 0:09:08Cos, obviously, snails are notoriously pretty slow.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Yeah, snails have a reputation for being slow
0:09:10 > 0:09:13but when compared to the rest, actually, they are quite fast.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Are they?- So these guys can move something like 20m in a night.
0:09:17 > 0:09:21Or one mile every two and a half months.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23Now, don't blink or you'll miss him.
0:09:26 > 0:09:27Oh.
0:09:29 > 0:09:31So these ones are about two years old?
0:09:31 > 0:09:32About two years old, that's right.
0:09:32 > 0:09:35Don't be put off by their comparative small size.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38They can take a worm many, many times their length.
0:09:38 > 0:09:42Yeah, that image is seared in my mind...
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Arghh!
0:09:43 > 0:09:44..forever!
0:09:46 > 0:09:48It was a pretty swift movement I saw.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51Kind of vomited out its mouth.
0:09:51 > 0:09:55- That's not too far from how I describe it actually.- Really?- Yes.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58This alien-like structure comes out of their face.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01It's lined with rows and rows of teeth.
0:10:01 > 0:10:03They've got teeth?
0:10:03 > 0:10:07Not teeth like we know it but they're certainly sharp
0:10:07 > 0:10:08and there are a lot of them.
0:10:08 > 0:10:10They literally grab hold and pull the worm in.
0:10:10 > 0:10:13And that is fast. In that moment, they're fast.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15Fast and greedy.
0:10:15 > 0:10:18These snails have been known in the wild to rather engorge themselves
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and when they've been discovered by scientists who are looking for them,
0:10:21 > 0:10:24some of them actually vomit them back up.
0:10:24 > 0:10:25Because to pull themselves back in the shell,
0:10:25 > 0:10:28they've got to get rid of all those worms.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32Ewww! Poor worm.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34- Is it still alive?- Yes.
0:10:34 > 0:10:38How long would it take before it would be all digested?
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Goodness me. I'm afraid snails stick to form and it's rather slowly.
0:10:44 > 0:10:45"Help!
0:10:45 > 0:10:47"Hello!"
0:10:47 > 0:10:48"Anybody out there?"
0:10:50 > 0:10:52- Pretty grim end, isn't it?- Really.
0:10:54 > 0:10:58Well, they're great but they don't seem to be doing a lot.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Yes, that's because like any good predator of course,
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- they operate at night.- Ah!
0:11:04 > 0:11:07'To wake them up, we need to enter...'
0:11:07 > 0:11:09the dark zone.
0:11:13 > 0:11:15Here, Shelly Shelly!
0:11:18 > 0:11:21SNAIL SNORES
0:11:21 > 0:11:22Yoo-hoo.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27Show me your lovely scary mouthparts.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29SNAIL SNORES
0:11:33 > 0:11:37These snails like to take their time, it seems.
0:11:44 > 0:11:46In you go.
0:11:46 > 0:11:48Ohh!
0:11:50 > 0:11:52SNORING CONTINUES
0:11:53 > 0:11:58Mm. Not a lot of love from these guys.
0:11:58 > 0:12:00I bet they've eaten too many juicy worms.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Uh-oh!
0:12:04 > 0:12:07New Zealand's meat-eating snails schlurp up worms
0:12:07 > 0:12:09with impressive efficiency.
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Can you do the same?
0:12:11 > 0:12:12Eugh! Guys!
0:12:12 > 0:12:14I'm not eating any worms.
0:12:16 > 0:12:20Don't worry, they are not that mean. It's just...
0:12:21 > 0:12:22Sweeties.
0:12:22 > 0:12:26So, using only our mouths we have to slurp these up.
0:12:26 > 0:12:28The first one to finish is going to be the winner. Ready?
0:12:28 > 0:12:30Take your positions.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33Three, two, one, go!
0:12:48 > 0:12:51- Done!- No! No!
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- Well done.- Yes!
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Snails often appear to be a bit boring but not in New Zealand.
0:13:02 > 0:13:04Oh, no! Imagine being a worm.
0:13:04 > 0:13:05Seeing one of these, you'd think,
0:13:05 > 0:13:07"Oh, it's a friendly snail."
0:13:07 > 0:13:11And then bam! Suddenly half of you is inside it.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13That's enough to give anyone nightmares.
0:13:13 > 0:13:17And makes these monstrous molluscs serious title challengers.
0:13:20 > 0:13:24'Onwards! Or should I say backwards? To the Caribbean again.'
0:13:26 > 0:13:29'You see, the crew have cottoned on to quite how scared I am
0:13:29 > 0:13:31'of underwater monsters.'
0:13:31 > 0:13:34SHE SCREAMS No! No! No! No! No!
0:13:34 > 0:13:39'So they lured me here with the promise of sun and sand
0:13:39 > 0:13:42'and then found any opportunity to throw me into the sea.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46'This time with a toxic people killer.'
0:13:48 > 0:13:51This nightmare of nature has a nasty reputation.
0:13:51 > 0:13:53They're packed with poison,
0:13:53 > 0:13:56they have stinging cells powerful enough to kill a human.
0:13:56 > 0:14:00They're found in every ocean on the planet and they have no brain.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02Oh, yeah, and I don't mean that as an insult.
0:14:02 > 0:14:05They really have no brain.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08I'm off to get hands-on with a jellyfish.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Some jellyfish grow to be bigger than humans.
0:14:20 > 0:14:25Others swarm in their thousands, blocking all view of the sun.
0:14:25 > 0:14:30Special stinging cells on their tentacles stun their prey
0:14:30 > 0:14:32or fend off predators.
0:14:33 > 0:14:37I'm off on a jellyfied safari with Caribbean connoisseur Lisha
0:14:37 > 0:14:41for an encounter with an upside-down jellyfish.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44'Yeah, there really is such a thing.'
0:14:44 > 0:14:47- So we're going to go into the water with them?- Yes.
0:14:47 > 0:14:49- Is that a good idea?- It's a good idea. Come on.
0:14:49 > 0:14:51- We're going to be safe? - We're completely safe.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52All right.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55- Oh, great.- Come on, Stu.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58Come on, don't be a scaredy-cat. It's going to be fine.
0:14:58 > 0:15:00'You just can't get the crew these days.'
0:15:00 > 0:15:03Right, tell me what we are looking for. What do they look like?
0:15:03 > 0:15:05So, they're going to look like a snowflake, actually.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07- Like a snowflake? - Like a snowflake, yeah.
0:15:07 > 0:15:09- Oh!- They're really pretty.
0:15:09 > 0:15:12- They can grow up into a huge dinner plate size.- Ergh!
0:15:12 > 0:15:16OK, so, the very crucial question - do they sting?
0:15:16 > 0:15:18Yes, they will sting, but these ones are very minimal,
0:15:18 > 0:15:20- so you're going to be OK.- OK.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23Upside-down jellyfish are actually composed of 95% water.
0:15:23 > 0:15:25- 95% water?- 95% water.
0:15:27 > 0:15:31Only a tiny proportion of the other 5% is made up of venom.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34So the bigger the jellyfish, the more it can sting you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37But they are very minimal, which you will find out in a few moments.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- We have one just up here. - You can see one? Where? This?
0:15:41 > 0:15:45- This is the tentacles that are floating.- Er....
0:15:45 > 0:15:48- But it's upside down. - That is upside down.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50That would explain its name, then.
0:15:51 > 0:15:52Are you picking it up?
0:15:52 > 0:15:55We're going to pick it up so I can show you the other side here.
0:15:55 > 0:15:56Oh, be careful, be careful!
0:15:56 > 0:15:58It's very important to say, at this point,
0:15:58 > 0:16:01you shouldn't just go around and pick any old jellyfish.
0:16:01 > 0:16:03You can only do this cos we're with a local expert
0:16:03 > 0:16:05who knows exactly what type of jellyfish we're dealing with.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07- Are you...OK?- I'm OK.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10So this, actually, this is the bell side of a jellyfish.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12So this is the part that you can touch.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17- It's just like jelly that you have with ice cream.- It is.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19This one may be harmless...
0:16:20 > 0:16:23..but other species, like the box jellyfish,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26contain some of the deadliest venom known to man
0:16:26 > 0:16:30that can stun or kill in an instant.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32In all of these giant jelly jewels,
0:16:32 > 0:16:36it's the tentacles you've got to watch out for.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38At the end of the tentacles,
0:16:38 > 0:16:41there is a harpoon-like structure that actually hooks into your skin
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and that's where it releases the venom into your bloodstream.
0:16:44 > 0:16:48- So your hands aren't hurting? - Not at all. No, absolutely not.
0:16:48 > 0:16:50But it's still doing it, is it?
0:16:50 > 0:16:51It's just that the venom's really mild.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53It is being released, but I don't feel it.
0:16:53 > 0:16:57The eight tentacles don't just have stingers...
0:16:57 > 0:17:00each end also has mouths.
0:17:00 > 0:17:0240 of them...
0:17:02 > 0:17:04per tentacle!
0:17:04 > 0:17:088 x 40 is 320 mouths on an upside-down jellyfish.
0:17:08 > 0:17:10I was going to say that's exactly how many...
0:17:10 > 0:17:13- How many?!- 320.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- Mouths? - On just this little creature.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19A brainless blob with 320 mouths?
0:17:19 > 0:17:21That hangs out upside down?
0:17:21 > 0:17:23It's almost alien.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26So, I'm used to seeing jellyfish this way up.
0:17:26 > 0:17:29What's this one doing upside down? Is it sunbathing or something?
0:17:29 > 0:17:31You're absolutely right, it is like it's sunbathing.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33- It's sunbathing?!- Absolutely.
0:17:33 > 0:17:39Upside-down jellyfish need the sun to grow their own food.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Their tentacles are home to algae
0:17:41 > 0:17:44that use the sunlight to make sugar
0:17:44 > 0:17:46which is then eaten by the jellyfish.
0:17:48 > 0:17:52In return, the algae have a nice, safe place to live.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So, it's just lounging around in the sun
0:17:55 > 0:17:58letting someone else do all the hard work and making its energy.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01- Very easy life.- Lazy! - Very lazy!- Lazy jellyfish.
0:18:01 > 0:18:04And the algae have an advantage too cos it's now been provided a home.
0:18:04 > 0:18:06Aw!
0:18:06 > 0:18:09- It's a nice little partnership, isn't it?- Exactly.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Clever jellyfish.
0:18:10 > 0:18:13Considering you have no brain, you're quite clever.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16The more I get to know this little monster,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18the braver I feel.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21So...I want to try and touch this one, then,
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- if you think I'm going to be all right.- Absolutely.
0:18:23 > 0:18:24So, we can pick it up here.
0:18:27 > 0:18:31- You got it. - Oh, my word, it's so beautiful.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34- It's so soft, isn't it? - It is very soft.
0:18:34 > 0:18:35If you turn it the other way,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38you may have a tiny bit of sensitivity in your hand.
0:18:39 > 0:18:41- Oh, look at it pulsing.- You see?
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- Really mild tingling.- Very mild.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46- But nothing... - Nothing to be worried about.- No.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49I've heard you should wee on a jellyfish sting. Is that true?
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- No, it is absolutely... - That's not true?!
0:18:51 > 0:18:54- Someone just made that up to have a laugh at their friend?- I think so.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- You will want vinegar. - LAUGHTER
0:18:57 > 0:19:00Vinegar! Not wee. You got that?
0:19:01 > 0:19:03That's good to know. I would've asked someone to wee,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05and I'm glad I know that now.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Armed with all this info,
0:19:08 > 0:19:11I'm growing rather fond of this little lovely.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14- It's quite mesmerising, just watching it, isn't it?- Absolutely.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16Especially with the sun glistening underneath on the sand,
0:19:16 > 0:19:17it's beautiful.
0:19:21 > 0:19:26This upside-down, sunbathing jelly may well be harmless to people,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28but the same can't be said for its relatives.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32With their harpoon-like stingers and terrifying toxins,
0:19:32 > 0:19:36I think the jellyfish could well wobble into first place
0:19:36 > 0:19:38on my nightmare leaderboard.
0:19:44 > 0:19:47After the delights of the Caribbean,
0:19:47 > 0:19:50it was with some trepidation that I headed inland
0:19:50 > 0:19:53to the dusty desert of South Africa.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59And sure enough, I faced, you know,
0:19:59 > 0:20:04just the most terrifying experience of my entire life!
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- Makes you feel part of the future. - WHISPERING: Oh, my gosh.
0:20:08 > 0:20:13So, when the crew asked me to meet a bloodthirsty aerial assassin...
0:20:13 > 0:20:16I was prepared for the very worst.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22Dotted across this landscape are trees hung with dried grass.
0:20:22 > 0:20:25They look like haystacks with a trunk.
0:20:25 > 0:20:29And in these haystacks can live up to 500 weaver birds.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34But these noisy nesters are not my nightmare.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37In fact, something is wiping them out.
0:20:37 > 0:20:41Only about a quarter of the chicks in this nest
0:20:41 > 0:20:43will make it through to adulthood.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45And sure enough...
0:20:45 > 0:20:47there is an invader in their midst.
0:20:47 > 0:20:50It's a bird of prey with vicious claws and a hooked beak.
0:20:54 > 0:20:58This winged impostor has taken over one of the chambers in the nest
0:20:58 > 0:21:01and it has a taste for fresh meat.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Could this fluttering fiend be our weaver killer?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09To get a good look at this burglar bird,
0:21:09 > 0:21:11I have to get up before the sun. ALARM BEEPS
0:21:11 > 0:21:17No! Oh, no, shh. Shh.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21Shh. Shush. What time is it?
0:21:21 > 0:21:224.30?! O...
0:21:22 > 0:21:25- Morning!- Morning! - SHE GASPS
0:21:25 > 0:21:26- Hiya, Naomes.- Morning.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28What are you lot doing here?
0:21:28 > 0:21:32- It's time to go. - Time to go.- Birdies.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36- All right, I'm coming. Oh... - Do you want to do your hair first?
0:21:36 > 0:21:39SOBBING: I'm so tired. I'm so tired.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44Our guide on this early morning safari is Anthony.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49He's been studying this prowling predator for the last few years.
0:21:49 > 0:21:50So, we're about to meet
0:21:50 > 0:21:53this neighbourhood nightmare face-to-face, then?
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Yes, yes, we are.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57SHE LAUGHS EVILLY
0:21:58 > 0:22:01And we've reached the weaverbird nest.
0:22:04 > 0:22:09It's full of chambers, like individual weaver houses.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12In one of those holes is our assailant.
0:22:13 > 0:22:15Catching one requires specialist kit,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18like...a pillow case,
0:22:18 > 0:22:20to block off the chamber.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22Oh, that's what that's for?
0:22:22 > 0:22:25Yes, that goes over the entrance and then I also have...
0:22:26 > 0:22:28- A stick!- Yeah, it's not the most...
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Trusty stick. - ..scientific of devices,
0:22:30 > 0:22:33but we just try and make a little noise
0:22:33 > 0:22:35so it'll just jump straight into the bag.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Here goes.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44- WHISPERING: Good luck.- Thank you.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56OK. Pillowcase is over the nest.
0:22:58 > 0:23:02You've got it! It's in the pillowcase. Yes!
0:23:02 > 0:23:04- Well done, Anthony.- Thank you.
0:23:10 > 0:23:11And we've got it in there.
0:23:11 > 0:23:16OK, let's go and meet this nightmare neighbour face-to-face.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Soon it will be back in its home,
0:23:22 > 0:23:27but first, Anthony needs to give our detainee a health check.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Certainly a bit easier now the sun's coming up, isn't it?- It is, yes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31See what we're doing.
0:23:31 > 0:23:36- Right, I'm going to give you this. - Thank you very much.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Time to reveal our offender.
0:23:39 > 0:23:43SHE GASPS Oh, it's tiny-weenie.
0:23:44 > 0:23:46That is super sweet. Look at that.
0:23:47 > 0:23:50This is a pygmy falcon.
0:23:51 > 0:23:55Not unlike its cousin, the fearsome peregrine falcon.
0:23:55 > 0:23:58Except...it got shrunk in the wash.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01That is absolutely gorgeous, isn't it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:05But don't be fooled by its cute, ickle face!
0:24:05 > 0:24:08This tiny terror can take down small mammals
0:24:08 > 0:24:11and it eats birds, too.
0:24:11 > 0:24:15Worrying for those weavers it shares its nests with.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19It feels more fragile than ferocious, though.
0:24:19 > 0:24:22- Get a pink ring.- Pink one. Yeah.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25Almost a bit Nightmares Of Nature colour.
0:24:25 > 0:24:27- And this doesn't hurt it or anything?- Nuh-uh, no.
0:24:27 > 0:24:32With this ring on, Anthony will be able to identify our flighty felon
0:24:32 > 0:24:34without needing to recapture it.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36Sweet.
0:24:37 > 0:24:40And she'll happily climb in, then you have to put her upside down.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43- Oh, is that to weigh it?- Yeah.- Oh!
0:24:43 > 0:24:46- What does it weigh?- 59.7 grams.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49That's less than half the weight of a banana.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50Not a lot, is it?
0:24:52 > 0:24:54A ruthless killer? Really?
0:24:54 > 0:24:59What I want to know is do these birds eat the weaverbirds?
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Erm...occasionally, it's been reported that they do,
0:25:02 > 0:25:05but not as its main source of food.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08They prefer to eat lizards and insects.
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Oh! Well, this clearly isn't our culprit, then.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13So what are they doing in the weaver nests?
0:25:13 > 0:25:17The nests provide a cool place during the hot summer days
0:25:17 > 0:25:19and are much warmer during the winter nights.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21Just squatting, then.
0:25:21 > 0:25:23Sounds a bit rubbish for the weavers.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25Do they have any perks from having
0:25:25 > 0:25:28- this little guy living in amongst them?- Potentially.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31We're looking to see whether they can keep away potential predators.
0:25:31 > 0:25:32Oh, right!
0:25:32 > 0:25:34So cape cobras and other snakes will come in
0:25:34 > 0:25:38and take up the 75% of social weaver chicks and eggs.
0:25:38 > 0:25:41Finally we've found the real offenders
0:25:41 > 0:25:44that are wiping out most of our weavers.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48These sinister serpents probe the chambers for chicks
0:25:48 > 0:25:51when Mum and Dad weaver are out foraging for food.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54If they find one,
0:25:54 > 0:25:58they will inject it with venom and swallow it whole.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01It's thought, though, that having falcons about
0:26:01 > 0:26:04might actually keep snakes away.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, for the weavers, having this living with them
0:26:07 > 0:26:10is kind of like having a very cool security guard,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13but one that could potentially eat you.
0:26:13 > 0:26:14Pros and cons!
0:26:15 > 0:26:18From harasser to hero.
0:26:20 > 0:26:23This could be my favourite bird ever.
0:26:23 > 0:26:24Mine too.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29Well, on the face of it, having a bird of prey
0:26:29 > 0:26:32living right on your doorstep, that does sound like a nightmare.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36But this little one who likes to eat lizards
0:26:36 > 0:26:40and who might even fend off the odd predator for you,
0:26:40 > 0:26:43can I really call her my worst nightmare?
0:26:43 > 0:26:46I think it's time to let you go.
0:26:46 > 0:26:49Ready? Three, two, one, off you go.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59My worldwide round-up is over,
0:26:59 > 0:27:01and it's time for me to pick which bonus beastie
0:27:01 > 0:27:04will top this globetrotting chart.
0:27:05 > 0:27:08So, toe-nibbling nurse sharks?
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Not nasty enough.
0:27:10 > 0:27:11- You're petting them.- Yeah.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16Pygmy falcon - simply too sweet.
0:27:19 > 0:27:22That wobbly wonder, the upside-down jellyfish
0:27:22 > 0:27:24was more beauty than beast.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27Oh, my word, it's so soft, isn't it?
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Which leaves that wolf in sheep's clothing,
0:27:31 > 0:27:36the sinister, shlurping, cannibalistic carnivorous snail.
0:27:40 > 0:27:41OK, I'm coming out, guys.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45I'm not sure how.
0:27:45 > 0:27:47How do I get out of here?
0:27:47 > 0:27:50Excuse me.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52SHE SHRIEKS
0:27:52 > 0:27:55Not that way. Just walk through, just walk through them.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57It's fine. Just walk.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59Duh, duh, duh... walking through sharks.
0:28:03 > 0:28:06Urgh!