0:00:01 > 0:00:04Welcome to Natural Born Hunters,
0:00:04 > 0:00:08the show where three of the world's top predators go head-to-head
0:00:08 > 0:00:10in a race to eat.
0:00:13 > 0:00:17To be the fittest, the healthiest, and at the top of their game,
0:00:17 > 0:00:19they all need food.
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Without it, they'll die.
0:00:22 > 0:00:24We compare how they hunt
0:00:24 > 0:00:27and why eating today really does matter.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30But even for top predators,
0:00:30 > 0:00:33meal times aren't always guaranteed.
0:00:33 > 0:00:37Success and failure hangs in the balance.
0:00:37 > 0:00:42Three will hunt but only one will be crowned today's Natural Born Hunter.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45The question is, who are you backing?
0:00:50 > 0:00:52- I'm Steve.- And I'm Barney.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56We'll be commentating on all the action you're about to see.
0:00:58 > 0:01:02Today's natural born hunters have one thing in common.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04When they hunt, their chief weapon is speed.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09Wow, I can see that. These guys look fast!
0:01:09 > 0:01:13Yep, Barney, they are the speediest creatures in the business.
0:01:17 > 0:01:20This is our first contender, the cheetah,
0:01:20 > 0:01:22an electric predator.
0:01:22 > 0:01:24Wow! Look at her go!
0:01:24 > 0:01:27With an acceleration that puts a car to shame,
0:01:27 > 0:01:31they can go from 0 to 60 miles an hour in just three seconds!
0:01:31 > 0:01:35I don't think even Lewis Hamilton can do that in a Formula One car!
0:01:35 > 0:01:39You may be right. And with a top speed of 71 miles an hour,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42that makes the cheetah the fastest land mammal.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45Now that is gonna take some beating!
0:01:45 > 0:01:47Who's next?
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Well, armed with some impressive weapons...
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Look at them!
0:01:54 > 0:01:56..it's a peregrine falcon.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59I'm loving it. It looks like the bad boy of the bird world!
0:01:59 > 0:02:02He certainly is. And a fast one at that.
0:02:02 > 0:02:05When it locks on to an airborne target,
0:02:05 > 0:02:08it can reach a diving speed of 200 miles an hour!
0:02:08 > 0:02:12200 miles an hour? That speed knocks spots off the cheetah!
0:02:12 > 0:02:15Yep. That makes her not just the fastest bird in the sky,
0:02:15 > 0:02:17but the fastest animal on Earth!
0:02:17 > 0:02:19Ever!
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I wouldn't want to be that pigeon!
0:02:21 > 0:02:23And how's about this?
0:02:23 > 0:02:27- It's a dragonfly. - Yes, an Emperor dragonfly.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- Sounds posh.- He may sound posh, Barney, but he's a precision killer.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34With the manoeuvrability of a helicopter,
0:02:34 > 0:02:38this dragonfly can move with ease in any direction.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42Travelling at speeds of 35 miles an hour,
0:02:42 > 0:02:45it really is the fastest insect on the planet.
0:02:45 > 0:02:48Hey, look! His fly's open!
0:02:48 > 0:02:50OK, we've got our line-up.
0:02:53 > 0:02:57All speed merchants, all with their own unique design.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59But who gets to eat today?
0:02:59 > 0:03:01What do you reckon, Barney?
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Well, the peregrine's the fastest, so I'm backing him.
0:03:05 > 0:03:08Yeah, but there's loads of other things to think about.
0:03:08 > 0:03:12- Luck is important. Don't forget the weather.- Weather?
0:03:12 > 0:03:16They're hunting outdoors, so they're exposed to the elements
0:03:16 > 0:03:18and performances might be affected.
0:03:18 > 0:03:21- Good point.- Right. Keep an eye on this fuel gauge.
0:03:21 > 0:03:25Whichever of our contenders fills that all the way up, wins.
0:03:25 > 0:03:29To help everyone decide, we'll get to know our contenders a bit better
0:03:29 > 0:03:33by recreating a day in their lives as they prepare to hunt.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35Sounds like a plan!
0:03:35 > 0:03:39Right. Let's kick proceedings off with the cheetah.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42- And one, two, three, four! - What are you doing?
0:03:42 > 0:03:46- Counting her in. - She doesn't need your help, Barney!
0:03:46 > 0:03:47Sorry!
0:03:48 > 0:03:54- Dawn breaks on the African plains... - When?- Now!
0:03:54 > 0:03:59- Wow, that was quick!- We can't hang about. There's only 25 minutes left!
0:03:59 > 0:04:03- Good point.- There's our cheetah. - She's got two cubs!
0:04:03 > 0:04:07She's a first-time mum. Raising those cubs, she's on her own.
0:04:07 > 0:04:10It's her job to feed and protect them.
0:04:10 > 0:04:14Protect them from what? Surely nothing would dare come near her?
0:04:14 > 0:04:18She may be a big cat, but there are bigger ones.
0:04:18 > 0:04:22A lion wouldn't think twice about attacking this family,
0:04:22 > 0:04:26not to mention hyenas, wild dogs, baboons.
0:04:26 > 0:04:30- So only 10% of cubs survive their first six weeks.- No way!
0:04:30 > 0:04:34Don't worry. These guys are nearly eight weeks old,
0:04:34 > 0:04:36and the odds are much better.
0:04:36 > 0:04:39- But check out Mum's fuel gauge. - It's nearly on empty!
0:04:39 > 0:04:42This family haven't eaten since yesterday morning.
0:04:42 > 0:04:46That's like eating breakfast, then nothing else all day.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48Yeah, but cheetahs can survive on one meal a day.
0:04:48 > 0:04:52But any longer and Mum just won't have the energy to hunt.
0:04:52 > 0:04:56Those cubs totally rely on her. We'll come back to them in a minute.
0:04:56 > 0:05:00Now, the day is just beginning for this guy, too.
0:05:00 > 0:05:02The Emperor dragonfly.
0:05:02 > 0:05:04Ah, the posh one. What's his story?
0:05:04 > 0:05:08Well, believe it or not, this guy is only one day old!
0:05:08 > 0:05:13- Now you're joking! Only a day? - Well, I am teasing you slightly.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15This is the first day he's looked like this.
0:05:15 > 0:05:20- For the last seven years, he's lived under there.- Under where?
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Under here. As a very different beast.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Meet his younger self -
0:05:25 > 0:05:29- a dragonfly larvae.- He couldn't look any different if he tried.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31This is how dragonflies start out in life.
0:05:31 > 0:05:35- A bit like a caterpillar/butterfly thing.- Yes.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39During this part of its life, the dragonfly is an ambush predator,
0:05:39 > 0:05:42feeding on anything that's smaller, like tadpoles and shrimp.
0:05:42 > 0:05:44Watch this!
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Now that is impressive!
0:05:48 > 0:05:50He extends his lower lip at lightning speed
0:05:50 > 0:05:53and impales prey on those sharp mandibles.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Mandibles?- Well, jaws, to you and me.
0:05:56 > 0:06:00Thanks. Well, that is impressive. Gross, but impressive.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03And then comes the day for the larvae to leave the pond
0:06:03 > 0:06:06and begin a magical transformation.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Yeah, but what... I mean, why... How does it change...
0:06:10 > 0:06:12This natural world thing defies me.
0:06:12 > 0:06:16Don't ask. Just admire nature at work.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29The Emperor will only live like this for a month and then he'll die.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33He dies in a month? The poor thing! I feel sorry for him already.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36OK, so that's the dragonfly and the cheetah.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38On to our final contender.
0:06:38 > 0:06:40The peregrine falcon.
0:06:40 > 0:06:44Ah, yes. A fine bird of prey. My favourite. Who's that?
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- That is her chick.- Ah, he's cute!
0:06:47 > 0:06:52If you think that's cute, check him out when he was a few days old.
0:06:52 > 0:06:55There's two chicks. What happened to the other one?
0:06:55 > 0:06:57- I'm afraid he died.- Oh, no!
0:06:57 > 0:07:00That's the sad reality of these birds.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Two out of three chicks don't make it to their first birthday
0:07:03 > 0:07:06- because of lack of food.- That's sad.
0:07:07 > 0:07:11- Well at least he seems to be growing up nicely.- Yes, luckily for him,
0:07:11 > 0:07:14Mum has just brought his breakfast.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17- So the peregrines won?- Well, no.
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Look at the fuel gauge.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22It's only a quarter full.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25Mum needs to catch enough for her and her chick to share.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29And a nice, plump, juicy pigeon will do just that.
0:07:31 > 0:07:35While she's in the air, we can see why she's such a great hunter.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38Look at the way she moves. She's like a jet!
0:07:40 > 0:07:43Exactly. Think of this animal as a mini jet fighter pilot
0:07:43 > 0:07:45and everything will make sense.
0:07:47 > 0:07:50To cope with those extreme aerial manoeuvres, she has this -
0:07:50 > 0:07:55- a semi-transparent third eyelid. - Something else that's gross.
0:07:55 > 0:08:00- It's protection against the wind. - Like a pilot's helmet and visor?
0:08:00 > 0:08:01Exactly.
0:08:01 > 0:08:05On-board safety doesn't end there
0:08:05 > 0:08:08because breathing can be a real problem at high speeds.
0:08:08 > 0:08:11So here's the solution. Each nostril has a central cone
0:08:11 > 0:08:13which acts like a wind break,
0:08:13 > 0:08:17slowing down the incredible rush of air before it hits the lungs,
0:08:17 > 0:08:22- a design used in jet engines today. - The copycats!- Very true.
0:08:22 > 0:08:25Now, while Mum's looking out for dinner, let's check out
0:08:25 > 0:08:27her hungry chick.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Even at eight weeks old, he's armed and dangerous.
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- He looks pretty vicious. - What better built-in cutlery to use
0:08:35 > 0:08:37to enjoy your main course than this?
0:08:37 > 0:08:41A hooked bill, perfect for tearing meat.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45- I suppose those terrifying claws are for catching it?- Of course.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47This is the business end of the beast.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50Each toe has a talon, a sharp, curved claw
0:08:50 > 0:08:53used to seize prey. It's so well designed,
0:08:53 > 0:08:58the more the prey struggles, the tighter the grip becomes.
0:08:58 > 0:09:01Pretty nasty. So with such good weapons,
0:09:01 > 0:09:03that chick might get to eat after all.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Back in France, let's catch up with the dragonfly.
0:09:08 > 0:09:13Is it just me, but this guy seems in no hurry to get hunting.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- That's because he can't yet.- Really?
0:09:16 > 0:09:21The first thing he needs to do is warm up those flight muscles.
0:09:21 > 0:09:23It's those that power his enormous wings.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26Look at this. Those muscles are so big,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29they make up two-thirds of the dragonfly's total weight.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33But they won't work until they reach 40 degrees centigrade.
0:09:33 > 0:09:38- Sounds hot.- By comparison, our bodies work at around 37 degrees.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41But unlike us, insects get much of their body heat
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- from the sun.- Like a holiday in Spain. Sunbathing, then lunch.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48- Kind of!- Sounds like a perfect day to me!
0:09:48 > 0:09:52He'll be ready to take to the air soon. Let's come back in a bit.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57Back on the savannah, with hungry cubs to feed,
0:09:57 > 0:09:59there's no time to sit around.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02Mum's on the move. This gives us a good chance
0:10:02 > 0:10:05to take a closer look at what makes her a contender
0:10:05 > 0:10:08for the title of natural born hunter.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11First up, there's that distinctive spotted coat.
0:10:11 > 0:10:13What makes it distinctive?
0:10:13 > 0:10:17It helps her to blend in to the high grasses here on the savannah.
0:10:17 > 0:10:21I thought you meant it had pockets! Ooh, look! Is that a gazelle?
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Yes. One of those would win this race for her and her cubs.
0:10:25 > 0:10:30- Now, most of these ungulates... - Uncle who?- Ungulates.
0:10:30 > 0:10:34- That means hoofed animals that eat grass.- I see. Got it.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39Most of these ungulates see in black and white. To give you an idea,
0:10:39 > 0:10:43watch what happens to our cheetah when we take out the colour.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46Wow, that's cool. She nearly disappears.
0:10:46 > 0:10:51Yes, and that's why the gazelles so often appear on the cheetah's menu.
0:10:51 > 0:10:54Despite the fact they're looking straight at her,
0:10:54 > 0:10:56they just can't see the killer coming.
0:10:58 > 0:11:03- What about our cheetah's eyesight? - Nothing wrong with her vision!
0:11:03 > 0:11:05In fact, her eyes are so good,
0:11:05 > 0:11:09she can take in a view that's twice as wide as our own.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12That's handy!
0:11:12 > 0:11:16It's so good that she could detect a group of gazelles on the horizon
0:11:16 > 0:11:18- three miles away.- Three miles?!
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Has she got binoculars?- No, Barney!
0:11:21 > 0:11:26Mind you, our peregrine has almost got built-in binoculars.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Huge eyes take up half of its skull.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31That's got to come in handy.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37Also, its eyes can track three moving objects simultaneously.
0:11:37 > 0:11:39This one...
0:11:40 > 0:11:42..this one...
0:11:42 > 0:11:43and this one!
0:11:43 > 0:11:47- Can you do that, Barn? - Just tried. Got a headache.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50Right. Have a look at this.
0:11:50 > 0:11:54Here's the regular binocular image - that's what we'd see.
0:11:54 > 0:11:59But these are two magnified images our peregrine sees on top of that.
0:11:59 > 0:12:04They show exactly what's going on over to her left and her right.
0:12:04 > 0:12:05- Right?- Right.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10Little wonder that peregrines can spot prey from over six miles away.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13Six miles? That's twice as far as the cheetah can see.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16I definitely made the right choice with this girl.
0:12:18 > 0:12:22Ah, finally the dragonfly's all warmed up.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25Now the competition is underway. How's his eyesight?
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Sight is our dragonfly's most important sense.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Each eye contains up to 30,000 tiny lenses.
0:12:34 > 0:12:3830,000? Am I right in thinking we've only got one in each eye?
0:12:38 > 0:12:41Yes. And even with one, our eyesight's pretty good.
0:12:41 > 0:12:44But with all those lenses, it means the dragonfly can see
0:12:44 > 0:12:46in a complete circle.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50Like teachers, who have eyes in the back of their heads!
0:12:50 > 0:12:53And the sides of their heads, too. It's uncanny!
0:12:53 > 0:12:58The Emperor can fly at 35 miles an hour in any direction.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00Forwards, backwards and sideways.
0:13:01 > 0:13:05He's a full-on stunt pilot, with the manoeuvrability of a helicopter
0:13:05 > 0:13:10and the speed of a jet fighter, who provides his own sound effects!
0:13:10 > 0:13:15- Cool.- The dragonfly's ancestors date back 300 million years,
0:13:15 > 0:13:17long before the dinosaurs roamed.
0:13:17 > 0:13:19That is old!
0:13:23 > 0:13:25His breathtaking air combat skills
0:13:25 > 0:13:30are down to wings that are hinged onto the body with flexible pivots
0:13:30 > 0:13:33that can twist in flight. Each one is controlled separately
0:13:33 > 0:13:35giving precision movement.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38Look at that, it can even hover.
0:13:38 > 0:13:40All of these skills are very useful
0:13:40 > 0:13:45when he's out looking for these - damselflies. To keep alive,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48he needs to eat one fifth of his bodyweight every day.
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- So what's that, then? - Well, one of these damselflies.
0:13:53 > 0:13:56He needs it. His fuel gauge is on empty.
0:13:56 > 0:13:59But he's got some impressive armoury to help him.
0:14:01 > 0:14:03An Emperor's jaws are razor sharp
0:14:03 > 0:14:06and act as shears, to slice through his prey.
0:14:06 > 0:14:10OK, Steve, I get the idea. Can we cut now - I'm scared!
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Those damselflies are pretty nippy.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18Wait a minute - I think he's got away.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Yeah, that was pretty unimpressive.
0:14:22 > 0:14:26Our dragonfly needs to polish up his skills if he's to get some dinner!
0:14:28 > 0:14:31OK. All our contenders have started to hunt.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- Our new mum, the cheetah. - She's got two cubs.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37They haven't eaten for 24 hours
0:14:37 > 0:14:40and they're relying on her to keep them alive.
0:14:40 > 0:14:42Then there's our peregrine.
0:14:42 > 0:14:45My favourite. Her chick's already eaten.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48Yes, but that's not enough to keep her chick happy.
0:14:48 > 0:14:51Mum needs to catch another meal to feed the family.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- And finally, the dragonfly. - Who's on empty.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56That's right. To survive today,
0:14:56 > 0:14:58he needs to catch one damselfly.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01That'll fill up his fuel gauge.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Looking at those stats, the peregrine's in the lead.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It's still early, so it's anybody's game.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11We're back with our cheetah.
0:15:11 > 0:15:15And she's spotted a gazelle. Now she's in stealth mode.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18And this is how all hunts begin.
0:15:18 > 0:15:21She has to get as close as possible to her victim.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24But you said she was the fastest legs on land.
0:15:24 > 0:15:28- Why can't she run from there?- She's a sprinter, not a marathon runner.
0:15:28 > 0:15:32She can only run really fast for a short period of time.
0:15:32 > 0:15:36She needs to get within 30 metres before launching her attack.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42Right. This is exciting.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44She's off on her first chase of the day.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48That burst of acceleration gives her an immediate advantage.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51No wonder she has a top speed of 71 miles an hour.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54Nothing on earth runs faster.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's unbelievable. How can she run so fast?
0:15:58 > 0:16:03It's all down to her sleek design and some very powerful muscles.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Let me show you.
0:16:05 > 0:16:09Wow, they're enormous. I'd like a set of pins like that.
0:16:11 > 0:16:15All the energy from those muscles pushes down on the ground,
0:16:15 > 0:16:16powering her forwards.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21She even leaves smoke trails! I'm well impressed!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Yeah, but she needs to catch that gazelle within 300 metres.
0:16:27 > 0:16:30Any longer and she'll be just too tired.
0:16:30 > 0:16:33She could even overheat and possibly even die.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36- Oh, she's slowing down! - That's the problem.
0:16:36 > 0:16:40Like I said, she's a sprinter. She just ran out of gas.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Can't she just catch her breath and go again?
0:16:43 > 0:16:47No, she needs to cool down. The recovery could take half an hour.
0:16:47 > 0:16:51By then, the gazelles will have gone. She's back to square one.
0:16:51 > 0:16:55Look at those poor cubs. I hope they get to eat today, Steve.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58While we're waiting to find out,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01let's check on our dragonfly.
0:17:02 > 0:17:04Unlike our other contenders,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07this fella has only himself to worry about.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09- No family ties. - You mean no family flies!
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Ha! Sorry. Living the easy life, then.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14Well, not quite.
0:17:14 > 0:17:16Who's that?
0:17:16 > 0:17:20That is a rival male, and he looks intent on taking our guy's patch.
0:17:21 > 0:17:27- Should our guy be worried?- Yes, this rival could spell serious trouble.
0:17:27 > 0:17:29Are you gonna tell me it's a fight to the death?
0:17:29 > 0:17:32This is a fight to the death.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I'm gonna need a lie-down at the end of this show. Oh -
0:17:39 > 0:17:43hang on, something tells me they're not cuddling here.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47- Oh - man down! Which one is it? - Don't worry.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50Our dragonfly is safe.
0:17:50 > 0:17:51The intruder, though,
0:17:51 > 0:17:53is in big trouble.
0:17:53 > 0:17:57Our hero will have many more punch-ups to protect his patch.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00But for now, he's resting up at the edge of the pond.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02Phew!
0:18:04 > 0:18:05It's high noon on the plains
0:18:05 > 0:18:07and the heat is intense.
0:18:07 > 0:18:10Let's see how the fastest land mammal copes.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15- Has Mum overheated after that last race?- She's just resting.
0:18:16 > 0:18:20It's midday and in Africa it's the hottest part of the day,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22far too hot to go hunting.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26You wouldn't go out in that hot sun, let alone run in it.
0:18:26 > 0:18:29Ah, you did say the weather could be a problem.
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- What about the dragonfly? - He's got troubles of his own.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38Events have been put on hold for the dragonfly, too.
0:18:38 > 0:18:42A storm's moved in, and he struggles to fly in the rain.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45It's only a bit of rain.
0:18:45 > 0:18:50Yes, but those fragile wings wouldn't stand a chance
0:18:50 > 0:18:53against an aerial bombardment of watery bombs.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56He's got to sit there until the storm passes.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58And get very soggy, yes.
0:18:58 > 0:19:02With two out of three hunts on hold, the peregrine could steal the show.
0:19:02 > 0:19:04Talking of which...
0:19:10 > 0:19:12Ah, here we go. Mum's on the move.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16She hunts by soaring high above her prey.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19Once her target is singled out,
0:19:19 > 0:19:22she folds her wings and drops headlong towards it.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25This is known as a stoop.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28And they start from half a mile away.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33That's my girl! She looks like a missile.
0:19:33 > 0:19:35Right now, she's in freefall.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38It's the equivalent of you or I jumping out of a plane
0:19:38 > 0:19:41before we pulled our parachutes.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I've never done it, but I'm guessing it's fast.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45But the peregrine is the master.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48She's so much faster than us, that at this speed,
0:19:48 > 0:19:51200 miles an hour, we'd black out and die.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54- That would make landing a bit messy! - Yeah.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58As she reaches her prey, her wings are extended in a braking motion,
0:19:59 > 0:20:01while the legs are thrust forward.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04- That pigeon was lucky!- Very lucky.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08But here's a surprising fact. Only one in three chases is successful.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11So the odds are against the peregrine.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13But still, her chick's gonna need feeding.
0:20:13 > 0:20:17So it's tough, and they're supposed to be the best.
0:20:20 > 0:20:25- Looks like rest time is over. - Our cheetah is tracking the herd.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30In a few minutes, this gazelle will have to run for its life.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32This is the whole circle of life thing.
0:20:32 > 0:20:35Think of the cubs, Barney, the cubs.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38- Quiet! She's just about to go. - (Sorry!)
0:20:40 > 0:20:41And...
0:20:42 > 0:20:44..the chase is on!
0:20:51 > 0:20:54Millions of years of evolution
0:20:54 > 0:20:58have honed the cheetah into the perfect athlete.
0:21:05 > 0:21:09Her agility and light step means she can turn at a moment's notice
0:21:09 > 0:21:11in pursuit of her prey.
0:21:11 > 0:21:15Remember, she has to do it within 300 metres or she'll be too tired.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It has to be said, though, that gazelle is no tortoise!
0:21:20 > 0:21:25- It's got a spring in its step!- But it's not as fast as the cheetah.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28It does, however, have an advantage. And that's stamina.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30How does stamina help a gazelle?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35It means it can run for longer periods of time than the cheetah.
0:21:35 > 0:21:37They can also turn more sharply.
0:21:37 > 0:21:41Every second this race carries on works to the gazelle's advantage.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Our spotty friend will begin to overheat very soon.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46And then it's all over.
0:21:46 > 0:21:49All the cheetah has to do is trip up the gazelle
0:21:49 > 0:21:51then it's certain death.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57It looks like those hungry cubs might get to eat after all.
0:21:57 > 0:21:59I have to say this is amazing to watch.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06She's got a back leg! She got kicked in the head, then!
0:22:06 > 0:22:09It's a dangerous business, this hunting.
0:22:13 > 0:22:14She's got it! It's down!
0:22:14 > 0:22:17She's nailed it. She must be our winner, Steve?
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Great news for those cubs. They must be starving.
0:22:20 > 0:22:23No wonder they're excited to join their mum.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Wait a minute, who's that?
0:22:25 > 0:22:27That is a hyena.
0:22:27 > 0:22:31Things are gonna get interesting now. Hyenas are scavengers.
0:22:31 > 0:22:36There's nothing they like more than getting their paws on an easy meal.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39It's going to steal the gazelle the cheetah has caught?
0:22:39 > 0:22:41Yes, and he's succeeded!
0:22:41 > 0:22:43Oh, this doesn't look good.
0:22:43 > 0:22:47While she may have made a kill, the prize was not hers to keep.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51So the cheetah is not today's winner.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53Can't she have another go later?
0:22:53 > 0:22:56By the time she's recovered, it'll be getting dark.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59That's when the other big cats come out to hunt,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03and it's far too dangerous for a cheetah to be out with her cubs.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Oh, Steve, what's gonna happen to them?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09Mum will do everything she can as soon as it's morning.
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Let's just hope they have more luck.
0:23:15 > 0:23:17So that's one down, two to go.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21For the peregrine and the dragonfly, the battle continues.
0:23:22 > 0:23:26So far, the peregrine's had an unsuccessful attack on a pigeon
0:23:26 > 0:23:30which gave our peregrine a slip at the last moment.
0:23:30 > 0:23:33That chick hasn't eaten now for nine hours
0:23:33 > 0:23:36so getting a meal is becoming pretty critical.
0:23:37 > 0:23:39The dragonfly had a late start,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43waiting for his wing muscles to warm up. Almost immediately,
0:23:43 > 0:23:45he had to fend off a rival male.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49After a failed hunt for a damselfly, rain stopped play.
0:23:49 > 0:23:54He hasn't eaten since he was a larvae, so he's losing vital energy.
0:23:54 > 0:23:59Time for them to go head-to-head, in the final round of the day.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02We're back with our Emperor dragonfly.
0:24:02 > 0:24:07The storm's passed and he's on a mission to hunt down a damselfly.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Meanwhile, the peregrine's ready for another attempt.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Look at what he's checking out - all those lovely pigeons,
0:24:15 > 0:24:18going about their daily business, unaware.
0:24:18 > 0:24:22The peregrine has to single one of these out.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26Pigeons are really fast and have great stamina.
0:24:26 > 0:24:29They have a top speed of 65 miles per hour
0:24:29 > 0:24:32and in level flight, a peregrine can't go any faster.
0:24:32 > 0:24:37This isn't a time for jokes, but that is fast food, if ever I saw it!
0:24:40 > 0:24:46By the lake, the Emperor dragonfly is closing the gap on his victim.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49That precision turning really coming into its own.
0:24:49 > 0:24:51Yeah, I wouldn't want to be that damselfly right now.
0:24:52 > 0:24:58Over the beach, the pigeon gives our peregrine a run for its money!
0:24:59 > 0:25:03The pigeons have some flash moves for getting away.
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Oh, that was close!
0:25:05 > 0:25:09At the last moment, they dive, confusing the peregrine.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12- How about the dragonfly? - He's doing really well.
0:25:12 > 0:25:15He's hot on the tail of another damselfly.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Success!
0:25:21 > 0:25:24That is one crunchy stick of protein if ever I saw one.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27So that's our winner, Steve?
0:25:27 > 0:25:30Well, hang on a second. The peregrine is still in the race.
0:25:32 > 0:25:37He's banked around for another pass and singled one pigeon out.
0:25:37 > 0:25:41He's in the firing line! She's got it!
0:25:41 > 0:25:43His luck has totally run out.
0:25:43 > 0:25:46It's a draw! Can we have two winners?
0:25:46 > 0:25:49Oh, hang on. No, our peregrine's having another go.
0:25:49 > 0:25:54- No, we're in France and this is another bird of prey.- Another one?
0:25:54 > 0:26:00This is the hobby, a falcon and a dragonfly slayer.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04Soaring through the summer skies, it picks off flying insects
0:26:04 > 0:26:08on the wing, and it's headed straight for our Emperor dragonfly.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11Steve, I didn't expect a twist in events.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15One of our natural born hunters is now being hunted.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19I haven't taken a breath for five minutes. Am I going red?
0:26:21 > 0:26:27- No way!- Our dragonfly's empire vanishes in an instant!
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Can I come out from behind the sofa now?
0:26:30 > 0:26:32Come on, let's announce the winner.
0:26:32 > 0:26:36Well, this is our victor, the peregrine falcon.
0:26:36 > 0:26:39Didn't she do well? Great show. Legendary performance.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Tuck in, son. You deserve it.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45Not a great day for the dragonfly and the cheetah.
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Both of them showed great skills, but not enough to take the title.
0:26:49 > 0:26:53The cheetah is super speedy, but also vulnerable.
0:26:54 > 0:26:57And while the dragonfly may be a precision hunter,
0:26:57 > 0:26:59it's often hunted itself.
0:27:01 > 0:27:05But with an impressive air speed of 200 miles an hour,
0:27:05 > 0:27:08the peregrine is our natural born hunter.
0:27:08 > 0:27:11And without doubt the fastest natural born hunter
0:27:11 > 0:27:12on the planet.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16- Is that it?- Yep, it's all over. - Thank goodness for that!
0:27:16 > 0:27:19Join us next time when we seek out three more contenders
0:27:19 > 0:27:21to earn the title of natural born hunter.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24- Until then...- See ya!- Bye!
0:27:24 > 0:27:26I'm going for a lie-down!
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd