FOR THE WORLD'S UGLIEST
ANIMALS.
TO FIND OUT WHY THEY LOOK
THE WAY THEY DO,
WE'LL COME FACE TO FACE
WITH FRIGHTFUL FISH,
NOSE TO NOSE WITH MONKEYS,
AND HEAD-ON
WITH BEASTLY BIRDS
THAT ARE GRISLY GOURMETS.
WE'LL DISCOVER REPELLANT PIGS
WITH EYE-CATCHING FEATURES...
MEET A MYSTERIOUS MOLE...
AND PRIZE-WINNING
BEASTLY BUGS.
WE'LL TRAVEL
TO THE DEEP SEA,
TO MEET A HOST OF DEVILISH
BOTTOM-DWELLERS...
AND FIND THE UGLIEST FACE --
ALL TO CELEBRATE
THE SECRET BEAUTY
OF UGLINESS.
Narrator: OUR QUEST BEGINS
IN THE SWAMPS
OF FLORIDA.
TURTLE EXPERT JOE WASILEWSKI
SEARCHES FOR A CREATURE
THAT MANY PEOPLE THINK
IS ABSOLUTELY GROTESQUE.
THIS SWAMP MONSTER
HAS POWERFUL JAWS
THAT CAN SNIP OFF A TOE.
YET THE WAY TO FIND ONE
IS TO FEEL IN THE MUD
WITH YOUR BARE FEET.
Wasilewski:
THREE RIDGES...
YEP!
AH!
THIS IS
AN ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE.
THIS IS THE LARGEST FRESH-WATER
TURTLE IN THE UNITED STATES.
THIS TURTLE HERE
PROBABLY WEIGHS
WELL OVER A 100 POUNDS,
AND THEY CAN GET TO BE
A RECORD OF ABOUT 300.
IF YOU'LL LOOK IN THAT MOUTH,
YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING THAT
APPEARS LIKE A FISHING LURE.
Narrator: IN FACT,
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.
WHEN DEPLOYED,
THE FLESHY PROTUBERANCE
WIGGLES LIKE A WORM
TO DRAW IN HUNGRY FISH.
BIG TURTLES LIKE THIS --
OOPH! --
EAT ALMOST ANYTHING
SMALLER THAN THEMSELVES.
IN FACT,
THEY'LL EVEN EAT OTHER TURTLES.
THEY LOVE FISH.
THESE POINTS, THEY'RE DESIGNED
THAT IF THE TURTLE
MISSES THE FISH AND JUST GRABS
A LITTLE PIECE OF IT,
THEY'LL HANG ON,
KIND OF JUST LIKE A SPEAR.
Narrator:
ONCE PREY IS LURED
WITHIN RANGE,
ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS
SLAM THEIR MOUTHS SHUT.
I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THEM
UGLY, GROTESQUE,
BUT I KIND OF THINK
IT'S PRETTY.
OKAY, WELL,
I'D BETTER LET THIS GUY GO.
YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE ---
GO AHEAD.
Narrator: SO, FEATURES
THAT MANY OF US FIND UGLY
CAN PROVE TO BE VITAL.
THE TURTLE'S MOUTH
MAY LOOK HIDEOUS,
BUT THOSE CAMOUFLAGED JAWS ARE
CRUCIAL FOR THE TURTLE
IF IT'S TO HUNT SUCCESSFULLY.
COLD-BLOODED CREATURES
AREN'T THE PIN-UPS
OF THE ANIMAL WORLD.
IT'S HARD TO SYMPATHIZE
WITH SCALES,
UNBLINKING STARES, AND
FLICKERING FORKED TONGUES...
OR WARM TO THE SLIMY
LOOSE FOLDS OF SKIN
OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN
BUDGETT'S FROG.
BUT THAT BAGGY SKIN
HELPS THIS AMPHIBIAN
ABSORB TRACES OF OXYGEN
FROM DWINDLING POOLS.
SO THEY HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.
BEFORE WE MEET MORE UGLIES,
WE NEED TO DEFINE BEAUTY.
[ BABY LAUGHING ]
HUMAN BABIES HAVE FEATURES
THAT NATURE HAS EFFECTIVELY
PROGRAMMED US
TO FIND BEAUTIFUL.
THESE LOVELY SAUCER EYES,
LITTLE SNUB NOSE, AND TINY CHIN
ALL HELP TO MAKE US WANT
TO PROTECT AND LOVE OUR CHILDREN
WHEN THEY NEED US MOST.
THAT'S A CLUE TO WHY WE FIND
CREATURES LIKE CALIFORNIA
SEA OTTERS SO CUTE.
THE BIG HEAD AND EYES,
THE LITTLE CHIN,
AND THAT INNOCENT EXPRESSION --
WE CAN'T HELP
BUT RESPOND TO THEM
AS WE WOULD TO A CHILD.
BUT WE'RE A LOT HARDER
ON ANIMALS
THAT DON'T CONFORM TO OUR IDEAL
OF PHYSICAL PERFECTION.
TAKE THE PECULIAR SNOUT
WE'RE HOPING TO UNEARTH
IN THE WOODS OF PENNSYLVANIA.
DR. KEN CATANIA
STUDIES A MOLE
WITH A FACE THAT'S UNIQUE
IN THE WHOLE ANIMAL KINGDOM,
BUT FIRST
HE HAS TO FIND ONE.
AND HE'S GOT A NOVEL WAY
TO CATCH IT.
OH, THERE IT GOES.
OH, YEAH, THERE'S
A TUNNEL HERE FOR SURE.
I BET HE'S TRACKING IN THERE.
AND I'M THINKING,
WHAT WE DO --
WE'LL SET UP A LITTLE
TRAP AREA FOR HIM HERE
SO WE'LL KNOW
HE'S COMING THROUGH
FROM WHEN
THOSE STICKS MOVE.
I'LL JUST PUT THREE IN HERE,
MAKE SURE
THAT HE CAN'T GET THROUGH.
Narrator: THESE STICKS BECOME
BARS THAT BLOCK THE TUNNEL.
IF A STICK MOVES,
THEY'VE GOT SOMETHING.
HERE HE COMES.
ALL RIGHT, GO --
GET HIM, RIGHT THERE.
GOT HIM.
GREAT.
NICE CATCH.
LET'S SEE WHAT WE
GOT IN THERE.
LOOKS LIKE WE GOT
A STAR-NOSED MOLE.
FANTASTIC.
WON'T NEED THE GLOVES
FOR THIS GUY.
REALLY SMALL TEETH.
Narrator:
THERE IT IS --
THE EXTRAORDINARY
STAR-NOSED MOLE.
JUST FOUR TO FIVE INCHES LONG,
A LITTLE BUNDLE
OF DIGGING ENERGY.
AND ONE OF THE STRANGEST NOSES
IN NATURE.
KEN IS CATCHING MOLES
AS PART OF HIS RESEARCH.
Catania: LET'S SEE HOW MUCH
THIS GUY WEIGHS.
50 GRAMS.
SO HE'S A BIG MALE.
Narrator: HIS STUDIES
ARE REVEALING
EXTRAORDINARY INFORMATION
ABOUT HOW THESE MOLES
USE THEIR NOSES.
OKAY, LET'S
LET HIM GO BACK
INTO HIS
LITTLE BURROW HERE.
Narrator: WHAT IS THAT STRANGE
STAR ALL ABOUT?
IT'S MADE UP
OF 22 FLESHY TENTACLES,
ALL SUPER-SENSITIVE TO TOUCH.
IT MAY LOOK PECULIAR,
BUT IT'S THE CORNERSTONE
OF THIS MOLE'S SUCCESS.
THAT STAR ALLOWS IT TO HUNT
14 TIMES FASTER
THAN ANY OTHER MOLE.
AND THEY EAT A LOT.
THEY CAN CONSUME
THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT
IN WORMS AND INSECTS
EVERY DAY.
WHEN A MEAL
DROPS INTO THEIR TUNNELS,
IT'S SMELL
THAT FIRST ALERTS THE MOLE.
BUT UP CLOSE,
HE TURNS TO THOSE
TOUCH-SENSITIVE TENTACLES.
EACH ONE CAN MOVE INDEPENDENTLY
TO GRASP THE WORM
AND THRUST IT INSIDE
THE MOLE'S MOUTH.
A SEGMENT OF THE WORM
HAS BEEN MISSED.
BUT NOT FOR LONG.
HERE COMES THE SUPERSTAR!
IT'S EQUIPPED WITH OVER
160,000 TOUCH SENSORS
PER SQUARE INCH.
THE WORM HAS BEEN BURIED,
BUT THAT'S ONLY A MINOR SNAG
IF YOUR SNOUT'S EQUIPPED WITH
A TOUCHY-FEELY ATTACHMENT.
HERE'S THE SEARCH,
SLOWED DOWN 20 TIMES.
HE'S FOUND IT.
STAR-NOSED MOLES ARE
RECORD-BREAKERS.
THEY'RE THE WORLD'S
FASTEST EATERS,
CATCHING AND EATING PREY
IN UNDER A FIFTH OF A SECOND.
FROM WET WOODS IN PENNSYLVANIA
TO A RAINFOREST IN INDONESIA,
FOR A MAMMAL
WITH SOME FACIAL ADORNMENTS
THAT ARE JUST AS BIZARRE.
[ RUMBLE ]
MEET THE BABIRUSA.
IT'S CALLED THE PIG-DEER
BY THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN SULAWESI,
AND YOU CAN SEE WHY.
BUT THOSE ARE TUSKS,
NOT ANTLERS,
AND ONLY THE MALES HAVE THEM.
THEY MAY BE NATURE'S
MOST ECCENTRIC TEETH.
THE TUSKS PROTRUDING
FROM THE LOWER JAW
ACTUALLY RESTRICT HOW FAR
THE PIG CAN OPEN ITS MOUTH
TO FEED.
AND THOSE TOP TUSKS
ARE EVEN WEIRDER.
THEY'VE GROWN FROM THE TOP JAW
RIGHT UP THROUGH THE SNOUT.
SOMETIMES BABIRUSA TEETH
CAN GROW SO LONG
THAT THEY CURVE RIGHT AROUND
INTO THE SKULL
AND KILL THE PIG.
BUT THESE ADORNMENTS
DO HAVE A USE...
IN THE COURTSHIP SEASON.
MALES FIGHT WITH THEM,
AND BIG TUSKS MAKE A BOAR
MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE
TO THE ADMIRING FEMALES.
THE BABIRUSA IS EASILY
THE ODDEST-LOOKING PIG IN ASIA.
BUT AFRICA, TOO,
HAS ITS SHARE OF ODDITIES.
THOUGH NOT ALL ANIMALS
THAT CARRY WEAPONS
ARE CONSIDERED UGLY.
THESE NYALA ARE DAINTY ANTELOPE.
THE HORNLESS FEMALES,
WITH THEIR BIG LIQUID EYES,
ARE BEAUTIFUL.
THE MALES, WITH THEIR GRAND
HORNS, ARE STATUESQUE.
FEW PEOPLE THINK RHINOS ARE
CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL.
BUT EVEN THEIR LUGUBRIOUS LOOKS
PALE IN COMPARISON
TO THEIR WALLOW MATE.
MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT THIS IS
THE UGLIEST MAMMAL IN AFRICA.
WARTHOG MOTHERS
AND THEIR PIGLETS
OFTEN VISIT MUD HOLES.
THEY'RE ONE OF THE ONLY PIGS
ACTIVE DURING THE DAY.
SO, LIKE THE RHINO, THEY NEED
TO PROTECT THEIR SKIN
FROM THE FIERCE SUN.
AND PROTECTION IS PART
OF THE REASON
FOR THAT STRANGE,
DISPROPORTIONATE HEAD.
IT'S ROCK HARD, A HELMET
THAT EVEN A LEOPARD'S TEETH
CAN'T PENETRATE.
BUT IT HAS OTHER USES, TOO.
THE WARTHOG'S MUZZLE
IS SHAPED LIKE A SHOVEL
SO IT CAN TURN OVER HARD EARTH
FOR TASTY
BULBS AND ROOTS, BUT THEY OFTEN
HAVE TO GET
DOWN ON THEIR KNEES TO SUPPORT
THAT HEAVY ARMORED HEAD.
[ GRUNTING ]
NO ONE WOULD
CALL WARTHOGS HANDSOME,
BUT TO ADD INJURY TO INSULT,
THIS ONE'S LOST AN EYE --
PROBABLY ESCAPING
FROM A HUNGRY LION.
FORTUNATELY,
WARTHOGS ARE WELL ARMED.
THESE TUSKS
ARE FORMIDABLE WEAPONS.
THE BIGGEST ONES EVER SEEN WERE
TWO FEET LONG
ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE.
BUT IT'S THE SMALLER,
LOWER TUSKS
THAT ARE THE DANGER.
THEY CAN BE VERY SHARP,
AND THEY'RE THE MAIN WEAPON
IN ATTACK.
AND WHAT ABOUT THE WARTS
THAT GIVE THESE PIGS THEIR NAME?
MALES HAVE FOUR.
FEMALES, TWO.
THEY'RE NOT REALLY WARTS,
BUT PROTECTIVE PADS
OF CARTILAGE AND GRISTLE.
IN BATTLE,
THE STRATEGICALLY PLACED PADS
DEFLECT THRUSTING TUSKS
AWAY FROM SOFT PARTS
OF THE FACE,
SHIELDING THE EYES AND MOUTH.
FOR WARTHOGS, AN UGLY SNOUT CAN
LITERALLY BE A LIFESAVER.
AND THAT'S JUST AS WELL,
IF THEY DON'T WANT TO FINISH
AS A FEAST FOR THE NEXT ANIMAL
IN OUR LACK-OF-BEAUTY PARADE --
THE VULTURE.
IN NAMIBIA, SOUTHERN AFRICA,
THERE'S A VULTURE RESTAURANT
WHERE HUNDREDS OF THEM GATHER.
OTHER BIRDS HAVE THICK FEATHERS
ON THEIR HEADS AND NECKS,
BUT VULTURES ARE THREADBARE...
AND WITH GOOD REASON.
IN THIS RESERVE,
A NATURE CHARITY DELIVERS
MEALS ON WHEELS,
AND THE GHASTLY GOURMETS
GORGE ON OFFAL.
BECAUSE OF THEIR GRISLY HABITS
AND LOOKS,
VULTURES HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED
FOR YEARS.
MARIA DIEKMANN
RUNS THIS VULTURE SANCTUARY.
SHE'S HOPING TO IMPROVE
THEIR FORTUNES.
HI!
THESE ARE CAPE GRIFFON VULTURES.
THIS IS THE MOST
ENDANGERED SPECIES IN NAMIBIA.
WE'VE ONLY GOT 11 LEFT.
AND THE FEMALES DOMINATE.
[ LAUGHING ]
EVERY ANCIENT CULTURE
IN THE WORLD RESPECTED VULTURES
AND REVERED VULTURES
BECAUSE OF THE ROLE
THAT THEY PLAY
IN THE ENVIRONMENT --
AND THAT'S THE CLEAN-UP ROLE.
WITHOUT THEM,
THE SPREAD OF DISEASE
WOULD PROBABLY KILL A LOT
OF OUR OTHER MAMMALS
AND SCAVENGERS.
SO, IF YOU LOVE
THE ANIMALS OF AFRICA,
YOU HAVE TO LOVE A VULTURE,
BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS
EVERYTHING ELSE GOING.
Narrator: WHITE-BACKED VULTURES
ARRIVE EN MASSE,
UP TO 300 AT A TIME.
VULTURES CAN'T PREEN
THEIR OWN HEADS.
FEATHERS WOULD SOON BE MATTED
WITH GUTS AND GORE.
EVEN LARGER,
LAPPET-FACED VULTURES
BEGIN TO ARRIVE.
THEY CAN FLY
MORE THAN 40 MILES AN HOUR
AND USE THEIR NINE-FOOT WINGSPAN
TO BRAKE AND LAND
RIGHT BY THE FOOD.
THE KINGS OF THE CARCASS.
LAPPET-FACE VULTURES DOMINATE
AT THE FEAST,
BUT SPECIALIZE IN EATING
SKIN AND BONES.
THOUGH THEY'RE BULLIES,
THEIR PRESENCE IS VITAL
TO THE OTHER BIRDS
AROUND THE CARCASS.
THEY'VE GOT THE BIGGEST BEAK
OF ANY VULTURE,
THE ONLY ONE STRONG ENOUGH
TO RIP OPEN TOUGH ANIMAL HIDE.
[ SCREECHES ]
A LAPPET IS
A FLESHY FOLD OF SKIN,
AND THESE VULTURES CERTAINLY
HAVE SKIN TO SPARE.
THEIR BALD HEADS HELP THEM
TO STAY CLEAN
AND LOSE HEAT.
PLUS, THEY'RE A STATUS SYMBOL --
THE PINKER THE SKIN,
THE HIGHER UP
IN THE PECKING ORDER.
A VULTURE'S VILE LOOKS
ARE DICTATED
BY ITS MESSY LIFESTYLE.
BUT, IN FACT, VULTURES ARE
EXTREMELY HYGIENIC ANIMALS.
AFTER FIGHTING OVER A FEED,
THEY'LL WASH
WHENEVER THEY CAN FIND
FRESH WATER.
BUT AT A COST --
VULTURES WITH WET FEATHERS
AND A THROAT FULL OF CARRION
CAN'T EASILY TAKE OFF.
THEY'RE SITTING TARGETS
FOR A GOOD HALF HOUR
UNTIL THE SUN DRIES THEM OUT.
AN EVEN UGLIER BIRD LIVES HERE
IN GUWAHATI,
NORTHERN INDIA, AND HAS
A REPUTATION AS A GRAVE ROBBER.
LESS THAN 1,000 OF THEM
SURVIVE NOW,
BUT YOU CAN STILL FIND THEM...
AT THE LOCAL GARBAGE DUMP.
IT'S ONE OF THE RAREST
OF THE REVOLTING...
THE GREATER ADJUTANT STORK.
ALTHOUGH THEY'RE NOT
CLASSICALLY HANDSOME,
THEY'RE CERTAINLY IMPOSING,
STANDING OVER FIVE FEET TALL.
BUT EVEN ORNITHOLOGISTS
INSULTED THESE BIRDS,
WRITING THAT THEY WERE
PRODIGIES OF UGLINESS,
THE MOST MASSIVE AND UGLY
OF THE ASIAN STORKS.
LIKE VULTURES,
ADJUTANT STORKS POSSESS THE SAME
NEAR-NAKED HEADS AND NECKS
FOR THE SAME REASON --
THEIR DIET.
EVEN THOUGH THEY DO EAT
LIVE FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS,
THEY'RE NOT AVERSE
TO DELVING INTO CARRION
AND ROTTING RUBBISH.
THEIR UNATTRACTIVENESS
IS INCREASED
BY TWO INFLATABLE AIR SACS --
A POUCH AT THE FRONT
AND A GIANT
STRAWBERRY-SHAPED ONE
AT THE BACK.
THIS DOMINANT BIRD HAS INFLATED
THEM TO SHOW WHO'S BOSS.
THESE STRANGE STORKS NEST IN
TALL TREES AT THE EDGE OF TOWN.
GREATER ADJUTANTS
ARE CLOSE TO EXTINCTION,
AND EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE
THINK THEY'RE UGLY,
IT HASN'T STOPPED OTHERS
FROM TRYING TO SAVE THEM.
AND THESE NETS UNDER THE TREES
CAN HELP.
STRONG WINDS
CAN BLOW THE YOUNGSTERS
OUT OF THE EXPOSED NESTS.
THE SAFETY NETS
BREAK THEIR FALL.
SO FAR, OVER 40 CHICKS
HAVE BEEN RESCUED.
THEY'RE CARED FOR
AT THIS REHABILITATION CENTER
UNTIL THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH
TO GO BACK INTO THE WILD.
THEY'RE RAISED
ON A FISH DIET HERE,
BUT HOPEFULLY, ON THEIR RELEASE,
THEY'LL DO WHAT COMES NATURALLY,
CLEARING UP ROTTING CARCASSES
THROUGHOUT NORTHERN INDIA.
IN NATURE, LOOKS --
GOOD OR BAD --
ARE THERE FOR A PURPOSE.
TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE,
THE NOBLE PEACOCK.
IT'S ONE
OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRDS,
WITH NEARLY EVERY COLOR
UNDER THE SUN.
BUT THAT FIVE-FOOT-LONG TAIL
IS ALSO TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL --
MORE OF A HINDRANCE
THAN A HELP
EN FLEEING FROM PREDATORS
SUCH AS TIGERS.
SO WHY HAVE A TAIL TO DIE FOR?
IF THE MALE CAN SURVIVE
DESPITE BEING HANDICAPPED
BY HANDSOMENESS,
HE'S LIKELY TO BE SEEN
AS HYPER-HEALTHY...
A TRAIT ANY PROSPECTIVE MOTHER
WOULD WANT TO PASS ON
TO HER CHILDREN.
THE WHOLE POINT
OF THIS DANDY'S DANCE
IS FOR THE MALE TO ADVERTISE
HIS GORGEOUSNESS.
AMONG PEACOCKS,
THE GOOD-LOOKING GUY
ALWAYS GETS THE GIRL.
BUT THE PRECISE OPPOSITE IS TRUE
AT AÃ‘O NUEVO RESERVE
ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST.
HERE, IT'S MONSTROUS MALES
THAT ATTRACT MATES.
THESE ARE
NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL BULLS,
AND THAT PROBOSCIS, OR NOSE,
CAN BE OVER TWO FEET LONG.
DURING THE BREEDING SEASON,
THEY SHOW OFF THEIR NOSES
WITH TREMENDOUS BELLOWING
THAT CAN BE HEARD
UP TO A MILE AWAY.
IT'S THEIR WAY
OF CHALLENGING RIVALS.
[ BELLOWING ]
HERE IN CALIFORNIA, IT'S WINTER,
THE BEGINNING
OF THE BREEDING SEASON.
NEWLY ARRIVED FEMALES
ARE STAINED WITH YELLOW
WHERE MARINE MICROBES
ARE DYING OFF,
OUT OF SALTWATER.
THE MOMS AND PUPS
ARE FAR FROM FRIGHTFUL --
BIG EYES, SNUB NOSES,
THOSE BABY-FACE FEATURES AGAIN.
RATHER THAN ROAST IN THE SUN,
THE SEALS SLIP ON
A COOLING SAND WRAP.
TWENTY DAYS AFTER GIVING BIRTH,
FEMALES ARE READY TO MATE AGAIN.
THIS IS WHY THE BULLS
COME LUMBERING
OUT OF THE WATER
AND BEGIN WARMING UP
FOR THE BATTLES TO COME.
DURING THE WHOLE THREE-MONTH
BREEDING SEASON,
THEY WON'T FEED AT ALL
AND CAN LOSE
MORE THAN A QUARTER
OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT.
USUALLY, IT'S ONLY
THE BIGGEST BULLS,
THE BEACHMASTERS,
THAT GET GOOD OPPORTUNITIES
FOR MATING.
BUT IT DOESN'T PREVENT
LOW-RANKING MALES
FROM TRYING THEIR LUCK.
[ CALLING ]
A BEACHMASTER IS IN THE CENTER
OF HIS HAREM, NOT FAR AWAY.
AND THIS FEMALE DOESN'T WANT
THE LESSER MALE.
HER WARNING WILL ALERT
THE BIG BULL.
HERE HE COMES.
MOVING IN TO PROTECT HIS HAREM,
USING HIS NOSE
TO INTIMIDATE HIS RIVAL.
[ BELLOWING ]
WEIGHING IN AT OVER TWO TONS,
THE BEACHMASTER ENJOYS
A SIZEABLE ADVANTAGE.
BUT THE CHALLENGER DECIDES
TO MAKE A STAND.
THE BLOATED FAT
OF THE SUPER-SIZED NECKS
CUSHIONS THE TREMENDOUS BLOWS.
THE BEACHMASTER IS VICTORIOUS.
HIS NOSE AND CALLS
USUALLY DETER CHALLENGERS.
THESE UGLY BRAWLS ARE RARE.
FOR ELEPHANT SEALS,
AN IMPRESSIVE PROBOSCIS
IS A WINNING ASSET.
NATURALISTS ARE INVESTIGATING
WHETHER THE SAME HOLDS TRUE
IN THE JUNGLES OF BORNEO.
THEY'RE ON THE TRAIL
OF A PRIMATE,
BUT NOT THIS ONE.
THIS IS A CRAB-EATING MACAQUE.
THEY'RE COMMON HERE
IN GARAMA NATIONAL PARK.
THEY HANG OUT DOWN
BY THE RIVERSIDE,
FORAGING FOR FRUITS, FLOWERS,
AND CRABS, AND KEEPING WELL AWAY
FROM A HUNGRY MONITOR LIZARD.
THERE'S THE ANIMAL
WE'RE LOOKING FOR --
A MALE PROBOSCIS MONKEY.
WHAT A PREPOSTEROUS,
PENDULOUS NOSE.
BUT IT'S THE BOSS'S
STATUS SYMBOL,
HELPING HIM HANG ON TO HIS HAREM
OF UP TO NINE FEMALES.
THE NOSES OF THE FEMALES
AND THEIR BLUE-FACED BABIES
AREN'T NEARLY AS LARGE.
BUT THEY'RE STILL BIGGER
THAN OTHER MONKEYS'.
PROBOSCIS MONKEYS
DINE MAINLY ON LEAVES.
IT'S A SUPER-HIGH-FIBER DIET.
BUT THE NUTRIENTS IN LEAVES
ARE HARD TO EXTRACT.
SO BOTH MALES AND FEMALES SHARE
AN EQUALLY UNATTRACTIVE
FEATURE --
A PROTRUDING POTBELLY.
INSIDE, BACTERIA
FERMENT THE FOLIAGE
TO RELEASE ALL THE ENERGY.
THE PROCESS PRODUCES HEAT.
THAT'S ONE REASON WHY THESE
MONKEYS HAVE THEIR NOTABLE NOSE.
THE GREATER SURFACE AREA
HELPS COOL DOWN ITS OWNER.
FOR MALES, THE PROBOSCIS
HAS A DUAL PURPOSE.
[ MONKEYS CALLING ]
A RIVAL MALE HAS DISHONORABLE
DESIGNS ON THE FEMALES.
TIME FOR THE BOSS
TO STICK HIS NOSE IN.
[ CALLS ]
THE INTRUDER GAUGES
THE MALE'S SIZE AND FITNESS
FROM THAT DISTINCTIVE HONK.
AND THE CALL RALLIES
THE EXTENDED FAMILY GROUP.
[ SCREECHING ]
[ HONKS ]
[ HONKING ]
[ HONKING ]
THE INTERLOPER IS OFF.
THE WINNER...
BY A NOSE.
NOW TO MINI-MAMMALS
WHO LIVE LIFE
IN THE RAW --
NAKED MOLE RATS.
THESE SMALL RODENTS
LIVE IN COLONIES
UP TO 300 STRONG.
THEY NORMALLY BURROW UNDERGROUND
IN EAST AFRICA,
BUT THIS COLONY HAPPILY SCAMPERS
AROUND A LAB
IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.
[ SQUEAKING ]
SAM CRISH IS STUDYING THEM.
Man:
THIS IS A NAKED MOLE RAT.
WHILE SOME PEOPLE
FIND THEM REPULSIVE,
I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THEM
FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS,
AND I'M A BIG FAN.
THESE GUYS ARE
FASCINATING CREATURES.
THEY'RE NOT MOLES
AND THEY'RE NOT RATS.
THEY'RE RODENTS
MORE CLOSELY RELATED
TO CHINCHILLAS AND PORCUPINES.
LET'S SEE WHY THEY LOOK SO ODD.
Narrator: NAKED MOLE RATS
HAVE SHED THEIR HAIR FOREVER.
WITH NO FUR
TO TRAP MUD OR SAND,
THESE BURROWERS
CAN SLIDE ALONG SMOOTHLY.
KEEPING WARM ISN'T A PROBLEM.
UNDERGROUND,
IT'S USUALLY A COMFY 86 DEGREES.
ANOTHER BONUS --
HEAT TRANSFERS QUICKLY
IN THEIR GROUP HUDDLES.
AND WITH NO FUR,
THERE'S NOWHERE FOR FLEAS
AND MANY OTHER PARASITES
TO HIDE.
THERE'S THE QUEEN.
SHE'S MUCH BIGGER THAN THE REST.
SHE WASN'T ALWAYS ROYALTY,
BUT, INCREDIBLY,
WHEN SHE BECAME QUEEN,
HER BACKBONE
ACTUALLY GREW LONGER.
QUEEN NAKED MOLE RATS
ARE THE ONLY ANIMALS
IN THE WORLD
THAT CAN LENGTHEN
THEIR VERTEBRAE.
THE QUEEN BULLIES HER WORKERS
AND PRODUCES PHEROMONES,
INVISIBLE CHEMICALS,
TO KEEP HER SUBJECTS IN LINE.
THEY WORK CONTINUOUSLY
TO PROTECT HER,
MAINTAIN THE BURROWS,
AND BABYSIT HER OFFSPRING.
BUT WHY THOSE UGLY BUCK TEETH?
ONE OF THE REASONS IS THAT
NAKED MOLE RATS
GNAW ROOTS AND TUBERS.
OUTSIZE INCISORS CAN TEAR
THROUGH TOUGH FIBERS.
A QUARTER OF ALL
MOLE RAT MUSCLE-POWER
MOVES THOSE GIANT JAWS.
THEIR LIPS CAN SHUT
BEHIND THEIR FRONT TEETH.
AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON
FOR THAT.
MOLE RATS LITERALLY
BITE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SOIL.
WITH LIPS CLOSED
BEHIND THEIR AMAZING TEETH,
THEY CAN TUNNEL MORE THAN A MILE
IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS,
WITHOUT SO MUCH
AS A MOUTHFUL OF MUD.
THEY'RE SUCH
INDUSTRIOUS DIGGERS,
ONE COLONY'S TUNNELS CAN STRETCH
OVER THE AREA
OF 20 FOOTBALL FIELDS,
ALL IN THE SEARCH FOR FOOD.
COLONY-DWELLERS
UNDER THE CONTROL OF A QUEEN,
MOLE RATS ARE LIKE
TERMITES OR ANTS.
INSECTS ARE ARTHROPODS,
A GROUP THAT INCLUDES 95 PERCENT
OF ALL ANIMALS ON EARTH.
A PRECIOUS FEW, LIKE BUSY BEES
AND BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES,
ARE FAMILIAR TO US,
AND WE DON'T FIND THEM
THREATENING OR UGLY.
IN FACT,
THEIR COLORS ENCHANT US.
BUT MOST CREEPY-CRAWLIES AREN'T
SO FAMILIAR,
AND THEY'RE CERTAINLY
NOT AS PRETTY.
THE WHIP SCORPION IS A GRUESOME
CASE IN POINT.
LIKE OTHER BUGS,
THEY'RE INVERTEBRATES.
THEY HAVE NO BACKBONE.
AND SO BODY DESIGN RULES
ARE THROWN OUT THE WINDOW.
THEY LOOK SO ALIEN,
IT'S NO WONDER
PEOPLE ARE REPULSED BY THEM.
BUT THEY DO HAVE
THEIR OWN BEAUTY PAGEANT --
WELL, ACTUALLY,
IT'S AN UGLY PAGEANT.
THESE ARE CLOSE-UPS
OF SOME OF THE CONTESTANTS.
A DAMSELFLY.
WHEN THESE CREATURES
ARE MAGNIFIED
MANY TIMES LIFE SIZE,
THEY REALLY DO LOOK
UTTERLY BIZARRE.
EVERY YEAR, HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS
ACROSS OKLAHOMA COMPETE
TO FIND
THE STATE'S UGLIEST BUG.
TODAY IS THE DAY
THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT
AND TRY TO FIND THE UGLIEST BUG
TO REPRESENT JACKSON ELEMENTARY.
SO ARE YOU READY?
Students:
YEAH!
CAN YOU DO IT?
Narrator: THERE ARE MILLIONS
OF INSECT SPECIES WORLDWIDE.
A SINGLE GARDEN
CAN HOLD
OVER 8,000 DIFFERENT KINDS.
AND NOT JUST ON DRY LAND.
DRAGONFLY LARVAE SPEND
UP TO FIVE YEARS UNDERWATER.
THOSE POP EYES
COULD MAKE THEM WINNERS.
OH!
A STINK BUG!
Narrator: BUT EACH KID
HAS A FAVORITE.
AWESOME!
Narrator: THE PRAYING MANTIS
IS A BEAUTIFUL BUG.
BUT SHE DISAGREES.
[ Gasps ]
EW, EW, EW!
Teacher: YOU THOUGHT CATCHING
THE BUG WAS HARD?
Student: YES.
WE NOW HAVE TO DECIDE
WHICH BUG IS THE UGLIEST.
Narrator: HOW DO YOU
JUDGE UGLINESS
IN CREATURES
SO DIFFERENT FROM US?
Teacher:
OUR FIRST-PLACE,
UGLIEST BUG IN OUR SCHOOL
GOES TO
THE VELVET ANT.
Narrator:
BUT WILL IT WIN THE STATE TITLE?
THE ENTRIES GO
TO DR. PAIGE JOHNSON.
HER ELECTRON MICROSCOPE
MAGNIFIES THE BUGS
UP TO 200 TIMES.
WHAT DOES SHE THINK
MAKES A CHAMPION?
WE GET ALL KINDS OF UGLY BUGS
IN THE CONTEST,
LOTS OF VARIETIES.
I THINK ANYTHING WITH FANGS
IS ALWAYS VERY SINISTER
AND THREATENING.
THE ANT LION HAS FANGS
ALMOST AS LONG
AS ITS BODY.
BUT I THINK MY FAVORITES
ARE THE WEEVILS.
THEY TEND TO HAVE
A LONG SNOUT THAT THEY USE
FOR GATHERING THEIR FOOD,
AND I ACTUALLY THINK,
RATHER THAN BEING UGLY,
THEY'RE KIND OF CUTE.
SO THIS IS THE VELVET ANT
FROM JACKSON ELEMENTARY.
AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS
A TRULY UGLY BUG.
UNDER HERE, UNDERNEATH ITS CHIN,
YOU CAN SEE WHY
IT'S CALLED THE COW-KILLER ANT.
THESE ARE THE BIG FANGS
THAT IT WOULD BITE A COW
OR I GUESS EVEN A PERSON WITH.
AS ALWAYS, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH
CONTEST AND A CLOSE DECISION,
BUT THE MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA
MICROSCOPY SOCIETY HAVE MET
AND VOTED, AND WE'VE DECIDED
THAT THE WINNER
OF THE NINTH ANNUAL
UGLY BUG CONTEST
IS...
Narrator:
A DUNG BEETLE.
TIED FOR SECOND WERE...
A CODLING MOTH...
AND A NET-WINGED BEETLE.
BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY
NO PRIZES
FOR THE ABHORRENT ANIMALS
WE'RE GOING TO MEET NEXT.
DR. PHIL CRAIG
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD
IN ENGLAND
IS AN EXPERT ON PARASITES.
PARASITES ARE, BROADLY SPEAKING,
ANIMALS THAT LIVE
WITHIN OTHER ANIMALS OR HUMANS.
AND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS
OF THE HUMAN POPULATION
ARE INFECTED WITH PARASITES,
AND VIRTUALLY 100 PERCENT
OF ANIMALS ARE INFECTED.
THIS IS A TAPEWORM.
THEY'RE SEGMENTED.
THEY DON'T HAVE A GUT,
THEY DON'T HAVE A MOUTH,
AND THEY LIVE
IN THE HUMAN INTESTINE.
THIS ONE IS ABOUT
TEN FEET LONG,
AND IT GREW IN A VOLUNTEER
IN 10 WEEKS.
BUT IT'S NOT THE RECORD.
IN HUMANS, TAPEWORMS CAN GROW
TO 35 OR 40 FEET.
TAPEWORMS CAN LIVE
A VERY LONG TIME,
ACTUALLY UP TO 25 YEARS,
IN THE HUMAN GUT.
AND THEY ARE VERY WELL ADAPTED
TO DO THAT
WITH PERHAPS THE MOST UGLY PART
OF THE WORM,
WHICH IS A HEAD,
BUT MORE CORRECTLY KNOWN
AS A SCOLEX.
AND YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE FOUR
LARGE SUCKERS ON THIS HEAD,
WHICH ARE USED FOR IT
TO HANG INTO THE GUT.
THIS SPECIES OF TAPEWORM
IS UGLY ENOUGH.
BUT OTHER SPECIES,
UNDER HIGHER MAGNIFICATION,
EVEN HAVE ADDITIONAL
DEVELOPMENTS ON THEIR HEAD,
PARTICULARLY HOOKS,
THAT IT USES TO ATTACH
TO THE LINING OF THE HUMAN GUT.
TAPEWORMS AND ASCARIDS
MAY BE CONSIDERED BY MANY
TO BE UGLY ORGANISMS,
BUT, IN FACT,
THAT UGLINESS
IS A SUPREME ADAPTATION
FOR THEIR PARASITIC WAY OF LIFE.
AND IT'S ENABLED THEM TO EVOLVE
AND SURVIVE
FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS.
SO WE CAN'T CRITICIZE THEM
FOR BEING UGLY.
IT'S PART OF THEIR SUCCESS,
IN ACTUAL FACT.
Narrator: BUT WHAT ABOUT ANIMALS
THAT INHABIT
AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WORLD?
THE SEA COVERS 70 PERCENT
OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE.
BUT THIS DIVER WON'T FIND MANY
GRIM FACES
IN THESE WARM SHALLOWS.
RABBITFISH
AND CLOWN TRIGGERFISH.
THEIR BRIGHT MARKINGS MAKE THEM
APPEALING TO OUR EYES.
AROUND THESE CORALS,
THERE'S ONE FISH SO CUTE
THAT IT EVEN STARRED
IN ITS OWN ANIMATED ADVENTURE.
A SEA ANEMONE IS HOME
TO CLOWN FISH.
WE'VE FOUND NEMO!
A SCHOOL OF BUMPHEAD PARROTFISH.
THEY'VE BEEN KNOWN
TO USE THEIR LUMPY HEADS
TO RAM INTO THE REEF --
BREAKING OFF
BITS OF CORAL TO EAT.
BUT WE'RE AFTER
A STRANGER CHARACTER.
A GIANT FROGFISH.
THE SPONGE-LIKE SHAPE AND COLOR
ARE PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE,
AND THEIR SPATULA-SHAPE FINS
CAN HELP KEEP THEM
PERFECTLY STILL.
THEY'RE A PHENOMENAL
AMBUSH PREDATOR.
ANY SMALL FISH
SWIMMING INTO THE REACH
OF THOSE TELESCOPIC JAWS
WILL BE SUCKED UP
IN A FLASH.
ANOTHER AMBUSH PREDATOR
WITH INTRICATE MARKINGS.
EVEN THE PUPILS OF ITS EYES
ARE DISGUISED.
THIS CAMOUFLAGE
BREAKS UP ITS SHAPE
AGAINST THE SEA BOTTOM.
BUT WHEN IT MOVES,
IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY IT'S CALLED
THE CROCODILE FISH.
BUT FOR EVEN FUNNIER FACES,
WE NEED TO LEAVE THE TROPICS
FOR CHILLIER SEAS.
THE GIANT OCTOPUS LIVES
IN THE COLD WATERS
OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.
BUT WE'RE HERE
TO SEE ITS NEIGHBORS --
WOLF EELS.
THEY LOOK LIKE GRUMPY OLD MEN
OF THE SEA.
TO GET A GOOD LOOK AT THEM,
WE NEED TO COAX THEM
OUT OF THEIR LAIR.
A FEW CHOICE MORSELS
WILL TEMPT THEM.
THOSE CURMUDGEONLY LIPS
HAVE REINFORCED SKIN.
AT THE FRONT OF THE MOUTH,
PEG-LIKE TEETH
CLAMP LIKE A VISE.
AT THE BACK, MASSIVE MOLARS
CAN CRUSH CRABS
AND GRIND SEA URCHIN SPINES.
ITS OFF-PUTTING LOOKS
ARE KEY TO ITS SURVIVAL.
THE WOLF EEL IS NATURE'S OWN
LOBSTER CRACKER.
BUT THESE WONDERFUL EELS
AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING
THE UGLIEST
FISH IN THE SEA.
THE DEEPER YOU VENTURE
INTO THE OCEANS,
THE STRANGER LIFE BECOMES.
THE DEEP SEA IS THE LARGEST
AND LEAST-EXPLORED HABITAT
ON EARTH...
AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING.
AT 600 FEET, WE'RE VENTURING
INTO A BRAND NEW WORLD.
SOME EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES
HAVE EVOLVED TO THRIVE HERE --
COMB JELLIES,
SEA BUTTERFLIES,
AND GHOSTLY SQUID.
AT 3,000 FEET,
90 PERCENT OF ALL CREATURES
PRODUCE THEIR OWN LIGHT.
THIS SCINTILLATING JELLYFISH
COULD ATTRACT SOME OF THE GRIM
PREDATORS OF THE DEEP.
THIS SQUID, TOO, COULD SOON
BE A MEAL FOR A MONSTER.
A CAPTURE JAR ON THE SUB DRAWS
IN A BIZARRE-LOOKING ODDITY
THAT SEEMS TO COME
STRAIGHT FROM A NIGHTMARE --
A GULPER EEL.
FOOD IS SCARCE DOWN HERE,
BUT THIS EEL
CAN MAXIMIZE ITS MEALS
BY SWALLOWING PREY
LARGER THAN ITSELF.
IT'S GOT THE BIGGEST MOUTH
IN RELATION TO BODY SIZE
OF ANY VERTEBRATE.
THE CONTENTS
OF THE EEL'S STOMACH
WILL REVEAL ITS DIET,
BUT NO ONE HAS EVER
SEEN IT FEED.
THE SUB CAPTURES
A NEEDLE-TOOTHED VIPERFISH
AND BRINGS BACK
A GHOUL'S GALLERY OF IMAGES.
A HATCHETFISH
WITH BULGING EYES...
A DEEP SEA ANGLERFISH...
THE WELL-NAMED FANGTOOTH...
ONE VIPERFISH
FLEEING FROM ANOTHER.
THESE ARE CREATURES THAT WILL
NEVER SEE THE SURFACE.
BUT A REMARKABLE
RESEARCH PROJECT HOPES TO REVEAL
WHY THESE UGLIES
LOOK THE WAY THEY DO
BY FILMING THEM
IN THEIR DEEP-SEA LAIR.
IT'S CALLED EYE IN THE SEA,
AND IT'S THE BRAINCHILD
OF DR. EDIE WIDDER.
UNLIKE NORMAL LIGHTS,
A BATTERY OF RED LIGHTS
WON'T DISTURB
ANY DEEP SEA CREATURES
ATTRACTED BY THE BAIT.
Woman: WE WANT TO BRING IN
THE SCAVENGERS BECAUSE,
EVEN THOUGH SCAVENGERS
ARE SOMETHING
THAT MOST PEOPLE
GET TO SEE,
THEN PREDATORS WILL COME IN
AND FEED ON THE SCAVENGERS.
SO IT'S WORTHWHILE
BRINGING THEM IN, AS WELL.
Narrator: A SPECIAL
LIGHT-SENSITIVE CAMERA
WILL RECORD
THEIR IMAGES.
DR. WIDDER'S TEAM HAS EVEN
FAKED A FLASHING JELLYFISH.
BUT WILL THEY REALLY TEMPT
THE CHASM'S CHILLING PREDATORS
TO PERFORM FOR THE CAMERA?
THE EYE IN THE SEA
MAKES ITS FIRST-EVER DIVE.
A REMOTE-CONTROLLED SUB
TAKES THE CAMERA RIG
2,300 FEET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM
OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.
YEP -- HERE IT IS.
Narrator:
THE SEA FLOOR.
THE SUBMARINE'S ROBOT ARM
RELEASES EYE IN THE SEA.
SOON THE FIRST RESULTS ARE BACK,
THE IMAGES DOWNLOADED.
AS THE DARKNESS WAKES,
THE BAIT AND DECOY JELLYFISH
SUCCEED IN ATTRACTING ATTENTION.
ALREADY, EYE IN THE SEA IS
RECORDING REVOLTING SCAVENGERS.
A 10-FOOT-LONG SLEEPER SHARK.
RATTAILS.
BENEATH THEM IS A MASS
OF WRITHING SHAPES.
PACIFIC HAGFISH
ARE SO ABUNDANT HERE,
IN NINE MONTHS,
THEY CAN STRIP A 35-TON WHALE
DOWN TO THE BARE BONES.
THESE PRIMITIVE FISH
ARE VIRTUALLY BLIND,
WITH RUDIMENTARY EYES
COVERED IN SKIN.
THEY SNIFF OUT CARRION
WITH A SINGLE NOSTRIL
AND FEEL AROUND FOOD
WITH THE TENTACLES
ABOVE THEIR MOUTHS.
MOST HORRIFIC OF ALL,
THESE CARRION FEEDERS
HAVE NO JAWS.
INSTEAD, THEY TEAR AWAY FLESH
WITH THEIR RASPING TONGUES.
WE KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT THEM
BECAUSE HAGFISH CAN SURVIVE
IN THE SHALLOWS.
AT U.C. IRVINE, ANDREW CLARK
HAS BEEN STUDYING THEM
IN THE LAB.
RIGHT, WELL, HAGFISH ARE AMONG
THE MOST INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL
ANIMALS THAT YOU
COULD EVER IMAGINE.
THESE ANIMALS HAVE SLIME GLANDS
THAT ARE SITUATED THROUGHOUT
THE LENGTH OF THE BODY,
AND THEY SECRETE THIS MUCUS
THROUGH TINY PORES IN THE SKIN.
HAGFISH SECRETE SLIME
TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.
IT CAN BE USED TO CLOG UP
THE GILLS
OF ATTACKING FISH PREDATORS.
SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE
THAT HAGFISH SLIME
CAN BE USED FOR COOKING
AS A SUBSTITUTE
FOR EGG WHITES.
SO JUST IMAGINE HAVING
HAGFISH SLIME AND BACON
FOR BREAKFAST.
IT'S A REALLY, REALLY
PLEASANT THOUGHT.
Narrator: JUST SO LONG
AS IT DOESN'T KILL OUR APPETITE
FOR FINDING THE ULTIMATE UGLY.
THIS IS CHAA CREEK
IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA,
HOME TO THE ANIMAL WITH MAYBE
THE UGLIEST FACE IN THE WORLD.
TO CATCH THIS
AMAZINGLY BIZARRE CREATURE
TAKES A NET BIGGER
THAN A WHOLE TENNIS COURT.
Man: THERE WE GO.
Man: OKAY, GOT IT.
Narrator: IT HAS TO BE SET
IN THE PERFECT POSITION.
DAVID JOHNSTON IS A WORLD EXPERT
ON THE GROUP OF ANIMALS
THIS CREATURE BELONGS TO.
HE'S BEEN CATCHING THEM
FOR YEARS.
BUT DESPITE
THE NET'S ENORMOUS SIZE,
THE ANIMAL HE'S LOOKING FOR
IS NO MONSTROUS GIANT.
THE CREATURE DAVE'S AFTER
IS A HIGH FLIER.
AND, OF COURSE,
IT ONLY COMES OUT AT NIGHT.
IT'S A BAT.
BATTING IS A LOT LIKE FISHING.
THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 40
SPECIES OF BATS HERE.
I MEAN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT
YOU'RE GOING TO GET.
Narrator: WHAT YOU CAN GUARANTEE
IS THAT
MOST OF WHAT IS CAUGHT
WILL LOOK WEIRD
OR UGLY.
WHY?
THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR BATS
TO LOOK BIZARRE.
LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.
OH, THIS IS GREAT!
THIS IS THE GOLDEN BAT.
IT'S CALLED THE GOLDEN BAT
BECAUSE IT HAS THIS MARVELOUS,
MARVELOUS FUR
THAT'S ACTUALLY
IRIDESCENT.
IT'S TRULY A GOLDEN BAT.
IT HAS AN ENORMOUS LEAF NOSE.
IT USES THAT
TO FOCUS THE SONAR SOUNDS
THAT GO OUT THROUGH THE NOSE
TO HELP DIRECT THOSE CALLS
WHERE IT WANTS TO.
SO IMAGINE THE SOUND GOING
THROUGH THE NOSE,
HITS AN OBJECT,
BOUNCING BACK,
THAT ECHOES THEN
AND IS RECEIVED
BY THESE ENORMOUS EARS.
NOW, THIS BAT CAN DO SOMETHING
IN ADDITION TO THAT --
THIS BAT TURNS OFF
ITS ECHOLOCATION.
IT CAN LISTEN TO LITTLE CRICKETS
AND WHATNOT MOVING
THROUGH THE FOLIAGE,
AND IT SIMPLY ZEROES IN
ON EXACTLY WHERE THAT INSECT IS,
SWOOPS DOWN, AND PICKS IT UP.
Narrator: THE GOLDEN BAT
ISN'T THE BAT WE'RE AFTER.
57.6.
Narrator:
THAT LEAF NOSE IS WEIRD,
BUT NOT QUITE WEIRD ENOUGH.
DAVID COLLECTS
THIS BAT'S MEASUREMENTS.
EACH FACE IS FASHIONED
TO HELP LISTEN IN
TO ULTRASOUND ECHOES
FOR NOCTURNAL NAVIGATION.
WHEN IT COMES
TO NIGHT-TIME AEROBATICS,
WINGS ARE VITAL,
BUT FACE SHAPE
IS NO LESS IMPORTANT.
19.2...
Narrator:
BUT NOW IT'S TIME
TO LET THE GOLDEN BAT GO
AND CHECK THE NET
FOR AN EVEN UGLIER PRIZE.
LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.
OH!
THIS IS
THE GREATER MUSTACHE BAT.
IT'S CALLED
THE MUSTACHE BAT
BECAUSE IT HAS THESE FOLDS
JUST BELOW THE MOUTH,
IN FACT,
THE CHIN AREA,
THAT IT USES
TO PRODUCE PHEROMONES.
PHEROMONES ARE CHEMICALS
THAT HELP THE BAT
COMMUNICATE
WITH OTHER MEMBERS
OF ITS OWN SPECIES.
AND THESE ARE
PARASITIC FLIES.
THEY SUCK
THE BLOOD OF THE BAT
AND THEY OFTEN
HIDE IN THE FUR.
[ SQUEAKS ]
Narrator:
THAT'S STRANGE ENOUGH,
BUT A BAT
CAUGHT IN THE TOP PART
OF THE NET
PROMISES MORE.
AH, LOOKS LIKE
WE HAVE A BAT,
UP HIGH.
OKAY.
LET'S SEE
WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.
OH!
THIS IS FANTASTIC!
MORMOOPS MEGALOPHYLLA,
OTHERWISE KNOWN
AS THE GHOST-FACED BAT.
AND IT'S GOT
THE MOST BIZARRE FACE.
IT'S GOT THESE FLAPS OF SKIN
UNDER THE CHIN AND THEN
THIS DISH-LIKE HEAD
THAT GIVE IT PRECISION
ECHOLOCATION
TO HELP HUNT DOWN
INSECTS IN DENSE
TROPICAL FORESTS.
JUST INCREDIBLE,
AND REALLY
TRULY A RARE BAT.
WELL, THANK YOU, LITTLE GUY.
[ BELLOWING ]
Narrator:
SURVIVING IN THE WILD
TAKES MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE.
WHAT AN ANIMAL NEEDS TO BE
IS OFTEN
JUST WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.
WINNERS COME
IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES --
AND THE MOST ECCENTRIC
CAN ALSO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE.
STRANGE AS THEY MAY SEEM,
EACH FORM HAS A FUNCTION,
AN ABILITY
THAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE.
AND AS WE DISCOVER THE AMAZING
WAYS THESE CREATURES
MAKE THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD,
WE CAN SEE
THAT EACH ONE
HAS A BEAUTY
ALL ITS OWN.
On Masterpiece Mystery!...
Oh, please help me!
What is it?
He's dead.
I don't believe
it was a coincidence.
Eh bien, it is a puzzle.
He is a private detective
of excellent reputation.
You believe I'm innocent,
don't you?
WOMAN:
Sounds a most desperate cry!
(screaming)
POIROT:
Most desperate indeed.
I know she's a good person.
The world is full of good people
who do bad things, mon ami.
CUMMING:
"The Clocks"... Poirot.
On Masterpiece Mystery!
Next on most PBS stations.
NEXT TIME ON "NATURE"...
IT'S TITUS,
KING OF THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS,
VERSUS KURYAMA,
HIS TOUGHEST CHALLENGER.
THIS COULD BE THE CLIMAX
OF AN EPIC STORY
SPANNING MORE THAN 30 YEARS.
IT'S THE STORY OF A TINY BABY,
DESTINED TO BE AN ORPHAN
AND AN OUTCAST, WHO WOULD RISE
TO BECOME THE GREATEST GORILLA
OF HIS GENERATION.
THIS "NATURE" PROGRAM
IS AVAILABLE
ON DVD FOR $19.99,
PLUS SHIPPING.
TO ORDER,
CALL 1-800-336-1917.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
WHAT YOU'VE SEEN
ON THIS "NATURE" PROGRAM,
VISIT pbs.org.
