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Last broadcast on Fri, 30 Oct 2009, 00:55 on BBC One (see all broadcasts).
Synopsis
Reptiles and amphibians look like hang-overs from the past. But they overcome their shortcomings through amazing innovation.
The pebble toad turns into a rubber ball to roll and bounce from its enemies. Extreme slow-motion shows how a Jesus Christ lizard runs on water, and how a chameleon fires an extendible tongue at its prey with unfailing accuracy. The camera dives with a Niuean sea snake, which must breed on land but avoids predators by swimming to an air bubble at the end of an underwater tunnel. In a TV first, Komodo dragons hunt a huge water-buffalo, biting it to inject venom, then waiting for weeks until it dies. Ten dragons strip the carcass to the bone in four hours.
Clips (6)
Komodo dragon
Growing to an average length of 2-3 metres, Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world. Listen to the noises made by a Komodo dragon.
Coral snake: beautiful but deadly
The Life team try to get to grips with a coral snake when it finds its way into their equipment.
Venezuela pebble toad
The Venezuela pebble toad has a unique way of evading predators. Find out more about this tiny amphibian.
Brown basilisk
The brown basilisk can actually run on water. Find out more about this remarkable talent.
Black-banded sea krait
Black-banded sea kraits are highly venomous sea snakes. Watch one sea krait looking for a safe, dry place to lay her eggs.
Geckos
Geckos are renowned for being able to stick to almost anything. The pygmy gecko has another amazing ability.
Chameleons
Chameleons are thought to change the colour of their skin as a method of communication. See how they also change the colour of their skin to adapt to hostile environments.
Wildlife Finder: follow one chameleon's journey to find a mate
Chapters
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Chapter 1
Reptiles and Amphibians
(00.22)Opening Titles
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Chapter 2
Dragon vs Dragon
(03.35)The Komodo dragon is left unchallenged by all animals, with the exception of another Komodo dragon.
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Chapter 3
Escape by any Means
(06.03)The Mount Raraima waterfall toad and the pebble toad must use an alternative to hopping so they can escape predators.
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Chapter 4
Reptiles and Water
(08.00)The caiman crocodile conserves all its energy waiting for fish to re-populate the swamp. Also, the Jesus Christ lizard can run on water whilst the miniature gecko has the ability to stand on it.
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Chapter 5
Chameleons on the Attack
(06.34)There is no escape from the Madagascan chameleon, whose tongue acts as a retractable missile. Also, a female namaqua chameleon adapts to find food in the desert whilst looking for a mate.
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Chapter 6
Mating and Protection
(09.25)A garter snake tricks his male competition after coming out of hibernation late. Also, the collared iguana and the horned lizard have two different ways of dealing with snakes.
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Chapter 7
Breeding
(08.06)A Niuean sea snake must go down into the depths of the ocean so her eggs will be safe. Also, male bull frogs fight it out to see who the dominant male is, whilst one looks after all the tadpoles.
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Chapter 8
Hunting Strategy
(07.06)The Komodo dragon manages to take down a buffalo with a poisonous bite. However it can take weeks until it dies - all the while the dragons watch and wait.
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Chapter 9
No one has ever filmed the Komodo dragon hunting a buffalo; this process can be very long and potentially dangerous.
Credits
- Narrator
- David Attenborough
- Producer
- Rupert Barrington
- Executive Producer
- Michael Gunton
Broadcasts
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Mon 19 Oct 200921:00
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Mon 19 Oct 200921:00
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Mon 19 Oct 200922:35
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Tue 20 Oct 200920:00
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Sun 25 Oct 200918:00
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Sun 25 Oct 200918:00
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Sun 25 Oct 200919:00
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Mon 26 Oct 200900:00
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Fri 30 Oct 200900:55
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