Earth's Deadliest Animals

The steamy jungles of the Amazon region reverberate with the sound of screeches, growls and grunts. These are the noises of creatures hidden in the trees vying with one another for survival in the forest.

From the parched deserts of Southwestern USA to lush forests of the Costa Rican mountains, this episode covers some of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet. The creatures here have adapted to survive in an extraordinary variety of habitats, and that means a diverse array of weapons.

Asia is the largest and most populated continent on the planet. Here people compete for space with some of the most impressive animals in the world. Creatures that have ingenious adaptations to hunt and defend. Large and powerful predators stalk the snowy landscape in Siberia, and patrol the tropical waters of the Pacific. Ancient, armored creatures rule Asia's grasslands and wetlands. Deadly snakes strike from below, while cunning monkeys attack from above. And perhaps most impressive is the massive polar bear, the largest land based carnivore. They are remarkable animals, armed with massive jaws, venomous bites and impressive strength. Take a journey into their domain for a close-up look at their lethal abilities: how they hunt, kill, and defend. And see what happens if we get in their way.

Stretching from the North Pole to the tropics, Asia is the largest continent on earth. It is the highest and most populated, and life here is harsh. To survive, the animals that inhabit this continent have evolved into the toughest of the tough.

Twelve of the most dangerous animals, insects and arachnids found in North America are examined. Included: how creatures adapt in order to survive.

Australia, a continent unto itself...home to scores of creatures found nowhere else in the world. Among this myriad of species is an elite group of twelve --an assembly of animals, insects, and arachnids-- equipped with an arsenal of predatory skills. Brilliantly adapted, beautiful to observe, they enthrall and amaze us. Now, witness their magnificence by journeying to their inner sanctums. From the Great Barrier Reef to the Outback, to the urban jungle, they creep crawl and live where we live, work, and play. The shows climax comes when it reaches the animal whose size, strength or fearsome reputation looms above all others. To best understand these animals, we not only examine the magnificent adaptations that have allowed them to survive and thrive, but hear from someone who's met them first hand...and lived to tell the story. This first-person narrative offers both stunning detail and insight into why this animal is indeed considered one of the deadliest. They're beautiful, they're highly evolved, and they're dangerous they are Australia's Deadly Dozen.

Africa's most dangerous mammals, reptiles and arachnids are examined in their natural habitats. Included: the Sahara Desert; the Nile River.