2013

S2.E1 ∙ Shark Special

Wed, Jan 11, 2017

Shark Special Steve studies and swims with sharks, the top marine predators. Although ancient, they're not primitive but so well adapted the formula, with many variations, never needed to change. Their electric super-sense locates even immobile prey just by its heartbeat, the hammer shark's broad nose allows multiplying such sensors. No predator is feared more, yet even great Whites rarely attack humans, except mistaking someone for fish. Shark species however are under great threats from humans hunting them, notably for fin soup, and environmental damage.

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S2.E2 ∙ Episode #2.2

Fri, Jan 13, 2017

Extreme Cold Special - Steve studies and experiences Arctic conditions, and how polar prey and predators adapt to it. Shivering his arse off, he demonstrates how poorly nearly-bald human skin compares to furs, especially the most dense with fluffy lining, or feathers with down for that matter. Even closer to fainting he gets submerged in icy water, which Arctic fisher species brave with fur and fat layers. Yet even they couldn't copy the trick of a frog species that slows down it metabolism and uses anti-frost in its blood so it can frost and defrost seasonally.

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S2.E3 ∙ Episode #2.3

Sun, Jan 15, 2017

Forces of Nature Special - Steve studies and experiences four unbound elements which dwarf the threatening might of any predator. Fire duly arouses instinctive fear, when it rages trough devoured bush or wood, but even hotter is lava, which actually melts rock and could wreck world climate as before. Ice turns into an unstoppable landscape changer in the form of a glacier, yet Steve risks descending into a 'moulin', where its melting water rushes down eroding its awn way. Next the power of storms, whether the ocean floods land miles deep or a tornado crushes everything on its narrow land way far worse then the jet outlet Steve braves 'standing' in.

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S2.E4 ∙ Episode #2.4

Mon, Jan 16, 2017

Cold Blooded Killers Special - Steve studies reptiles, deadly heirs of the closely related dinosaurs' age. They came in a wide range, just chameleons from tiny to giant, but being coldblooded, they depend on absorbed environmental (sun) warmth, limiting their activity in time and space, unlike as mammals, who pent most of our calories on body-heating. Reptiles include some of the best biters, from turtles to champion crocodile-family.

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S2.E5 ∙ Episode #2.5

Tue, Jan 17, 2017

Dinosaurs Special - Steve studies dinosaurs, comparing with descended birds and reptilians as well as modern species to explain their probably akin behavior and abilities, while fossils show their extraordinary range of sizes and shapes, both an land and in the water, ultimately even taken ti the air, albeit gliding. However a giant volcano eruption freezing the climate wiped them out, not coldblooded heirs, leaving the stage for the rule of mammals.

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S2.E6 ∙ Episode #2.6

Thu, Jan 19, 2017

Patagonia - Steve is eager to spot killer whales or 'orkas', the dominant sea predators off the Argentine coast, even if the sailing in these waters gets ever tougher. He gets a close look at them, after some effort and a closer look at their prey and rivals, notably seals, one species even adapted to hunt on land.

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S2.E7 ∙ Episode #2.7

Sat, Jan 21, 2017

Falkland islands - Steve admires the rock jumper penguins, a tiny species which doesn't just waggle but climbs and descends rocks, while defending their eggs against predators. He shivers miserably in their fishing surf, despite a wet-suit. On land, the local sea lions have turned in 'amphibious' penguin hunters. At sea playful dolphins prove themselves champion swimmers. Yet the cleverest island predators are caracaras, birds of prey who gang up as youngsters and prove themselves most inventive in a meat lure test that keeps going wrong.

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S2.E11 ∙ Episode #2.11

Fri, Jan 27, 2017

Wolves Special - Steve treats himself to one off topic, devoted to his favorite predators: wolves. He admires their hunting skills, especially smell and stamina, and demonstrates they're not inclined to attack people, yet were hunted near extinction, mostly by farmers, so reintroduction in more conservation-minded regions is vital, as a red wolf project he joins in Carolina. Finally the rarest, African species, the Abessynian wolf in Ethiopia, at threat for habitat loss and rabies among domestic dogs.

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