Original subtitles

Narrator: THERE’VE BEEN TUNNELERS IN THE EARTH

FOR OVER 600 MILLION YEARS.

\h\hAND NOW DIGGING FREAKS COME IN MANY WEIRD SHAPES AND SIZES.

\hTHEY BORE UNDER THE DRY SAVANNA,

OR PUNCTURE SOGGY SWAMPS,

\h\hAND SOME HAVE EVEN CONQUERED THE OCEANS.

\hTHERE ARE CARNIVORES THAT EXPLODE FROM PITS TO HUNT...

\h\hAND PLUNDERERS EQUIPPED TO EXPLOIT BURIED TREASURE.

SOME SIFT THROUGH DIRT...

WHILE OTHERS JUST BITE IT!

AND FINALLY, WE’LL REVEAL THE MONSTER THAT RULES THEM ALL...

\hTHE MOST POWERFUL DIGGER ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY,

\h\h\h\hGRAB FRONT-ROW SEATS TO NATURE’S REAL FREAK SHOW.

[THUNDER]

Man: CRAZY MONSTER DIGGERS!

Narrator: COME OUT OF THE COLD

\h\h\h\h\h\hAND STEP INSIDE OUR LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS.

TONIGHT WE LURK IN THE SHADOWS

AND ENTER A SUBTERRANEAN WORLD

WHERE DIGGING FREAKS HIDE \h\hRIGHT UNDER OUR FEET.

DELVE INTO OUR COLLECTION \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF DIGGERS.

THERE’S THE CREEP WITH A PUNCH \h\h\h\hTHAT SHATTERS GLASS...

AN ARMORED TANK WITH A TONGUE \h\h\hAS LONG AS YOUR ARM...

ONE FREAK FIDDLES IN FECES...

WHILE ANOTHER BORES \hINTO HUMAN FLESH.

\h\h\h\hBUT FIRST, A DIGGER WITH TENTACLES THAT SMELL UNDERWATER!

♪ CRAZY MONSTER, CRAZY MONSTER ♪

♪ MONSTER DIGGERS! ♪

THE MOST FANTASTICAL NOSE \h\hIN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM

\h\hWIGGLES ON THE FACE OF A TINY BOG MONSTER.

THIS DIGGER SHOVELS AWAY

\h\h\hIN DARK, MUSTY UNDERGROUND TUNNELS.

THE STAR-NOSED MOLE IS NO BIGGER THAN THE PALM OF YOUR HAND,

AND ALL 22 FLESHY TENTACLES WOULD FIT ON YOUR FINGERTIP.

[SNIFFING]

WITH EXTREMELY POOR EYESIGHT,

SHE HAS A MORE TOUCHY-FEELY \h\h\h\h\hAPPROACH TO LIFE.

\hTHIS SCHNOZ-ON-STEROIDS ISN’T ONLY USED TO SMELL.

\h\h\h\hHER STAR IS THOUGHT TO BE THE MOST COMPLEX TOUCH APPARATUS

OF ANY MAMMAL.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hZOOMED IN, EACH FINGER-LIKE TENTACLE

IS MADE UP OF 25,000 COBBLED DOMES CALLED EIMER’S ORGANS.

\hAT THE CENTER OF EACH DOME ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE NERVE ENDINGS.

\hTHE SLIGHTEST TOUCH ACTIVATES THE NERVES,

AND THEY ARE ABLE TO DETECT \h\h\h\hTHE LAY OF THE LAND

IN MICROSCOPIC DETAIL.

ONE STAR-PRINT AT A TIME, \hHER TUNNEL IS REVEALED.

THE EIMER’S ORGANS WORK TOGETHER TO CREATE A TOUCH PHOTOGRAPH.

AND SHE PROCESSES 20 NEW IMAGES EVERY SECOND

TO CREATE A 3D MAP OF HER WORLD.

THIS SPEEDY SENSE OF TOUCH,

\h\h\h\hIN EFFECT, ALLOWS THIS BLIND MOLE TO SEE IN THE DARK.

SHE’S THE FASTEST FORAGING \h\h\h\h\hMAMMAL ON RECORD!

SMALL GRUBS AND BEETLES \h\h\h\h\h\hARE CAUGHT

IN LESS THAN ONE-FIFTH \h\h\h\h\hOF A SECOND.

BUT SOME MEALS DESERVE \h\h\h\hTO BE SAVORED.

\hTHIS FREAK’S TALENTS EXTEND BEYOND THE LAND,

BECAUSE HER INCREDIBLE NOSE

IS ABLE TO SNIFF OUT PREY \h\h\h\h\h\h\hUNDERWATER.

♪

♪

SHE BLOWS AN AIR BUBBLE \h\h\h\hOVER AN OBJECT,

THEN RE-INHALES THE SAME BUBBLE

\hTO SMELL WHETHER IT’S EDIBLE OR NOT.

CLAWS BECOME FLIPPERS,

FUR DOUBLES AS A WET SUIT,

AND DIGGER TRANSFORMS \h\h\h\h\hINTO DIVER.

ONE DIGGER HAS SCUBA GEAR, WHILE ANOTHER WEARS A SUIT OF ARMOR.

\h\hJUST DON’T WALK BAREFOOT ANYWHERE NEAR OUR NEXT FREAK.

BE AMAZED BY THE SPINY ANTEATER.

\hFROM THE SCRUBBY AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK

COMES A FOUR-LEGGED VERSION \hOF THE SWISS ARMY KNIFE.

THE DESIGN IS LESS SLEEK THAN \h\hYOUR TYPICAL MULTI-TOOL,

BUT THE SPINY ANTEATER, \h\h\h\h\h\hOR ECHIDNA,

\hHAS AN ARRAY OF GADGETS FOR DEFENSE...OR DINNER.

\h\h\h\h\hSHE FOLLOWS A NOSE THAT’S AN ELECTRO DETECTOR!

MUCUS GLANDS AT THE END \h\h\h\h\hOF HER SNOUT

SENSE THE TINY ELECTRIC SIGNALS EMITTED BY INSECTS.

PREY LOCATED, SHE WHIPS OUT \hHER 7-INCH SLIMY TONGUE--

\h\hPERFECT TO NAVIGATE CONVOLUTED ANT TUNNELS.

HER CHISEL-SHAPED NOSE IS ALSO \h\h\h\h\hAN EFFICIENT CROWBAR

TO EXPOSE MORE SUCCULENT \h\h\h\hGRUBS AND WORMS.

DON’T LET THIS WADDLING \hPINCUSHION FOOL YOU.

THOUSANDS OF NEEDLE SPIKES ARE \hEFFECTIVE DEFENSIVE WEAPONS

IN HER ARSENAL.

THIS TIME HER NOSE DETECTS \h\h\hMORE THAN JUST ANTS.

NOT THAT IT STOPS HER.

SHE WON’T ATTACK THE LIZARDS,

BUT THE REPTILE FAMILY \h\h\h\h\h\hFEELS SAFER

GIVING THOSE PRICKLES \h\h\h\hA WIDE BERTH.

♪

HER SPIKES BECOME MORE DANGEROUS WHEN SHE ACTIVATES THEM.

[GROWLS]

EVEN AUSTRALIA’S TOP PREDATOR, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE DINGO,

CAN DO NOTHING TO DAMAGE \h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS ODDBALL.

SHE CONTRACTS A LAYER OF MUSCLE BENEATH HER SKIN

TO ROLL UP AND FORCE \hHER SPINES ERECT.

THESE EFFICIENT PACK HUNTERS,

CAPABLE OF PULLING DOWN \h\h\h\h\h\h\hA BUFFALO

\hWITHDRAW IN FRUSTRATION WITH THIS THORNY CUSTOMER.

\hBUT THE SPINY ANTEATER’S GREATEST DEFENSE MECHANISM

IS HER ABILITY TO BREATHE \h\h\h\h\h\hTHROUGH FIRE!

FURIOUS BUSHFIRES REGULARLY \h\h\hSWEEP ACROSS AUSTRALIA

KILLING ANYTHING IN THEIR WAKE.

UNABLE TO OUTRUN THE BLAZE,

THE SPINY ANTEATER DIGS HERSELF OUT OF DANGER.

\hSHE REMAINS UNDERGROUND TILL THE FIRE BURNS OUT.

HER SECRET?

SHE ENTERS A MINI-HIBERNATION \hAND LOWERS HER METABOLISM,

\h\h\h\hSO SHE CAN BREATHE, DESPITE THE CRAZY-LOW OXYGEN

AND TOXIC CARBON DIOXIDE LEVELS DURING A FIRE.

♪

SHE HAS ONE LAST TALENT

\h\h\hTO TOP OFF THAT DEATH-DEFYING ACT...

SHE CAN LAY AN EGG!

SHE’S ONE OF ONLY TWO MAMMALS \h\h\h\h\h\hABLE TO DO THIS!

HER BABY, KNOWN AS A PUGGLE,

HATCHES FROM A GRAPE-SIZED EGG \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN HER POUCH.

SHE KEEPS IT SAFELY TUCKED AWAY INSIDE HER FOR TWO MONTHS

WHILE IT FEEDS AND GROWS

INTO A NEW FIRE-BREATHING, \h\h\h\hEGG-LAYING PINHEAD!

DIGGERS COME IN ALL \hSHAPES AND SIZES.

SOME ARE HAIRY,

WHILE OTHERS ARE COMPLETELY NUDE.

SOME CHOOSE TO BURY THEMSELVES \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE SEABED...

OR DIG INTO DUNG.

OUR NEXT MONSTER BORES \h\hINTO LIVING FLESH.

THIS IS THE SKIN CRAWLER.

♪ MONSTER DIGGERS! ♪

\h\h\hWE MEET OUR NEXT FREAK ON THE TANGLED FOREST FLOOR

IN CENTRAL AMERICA.

THIS LOATHSOME MAGGOT \h\h\h\hHIDES IN SOIL

FOR THE FINAL TRANSFORMATION \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF ITS LIFE.

BUT NEWLY HATCHED,

\hITS DIGGING SPOT IS A MORE GRISLY, PERSONAL NIGHTMARE.

THE SKIN CRAWLER, OR HUMAN BOT FLY,

LIVES AND BREATHES IN YOUR SKIN!

[MOSQUITO BUZZING]

\h\h\h\hTHE SKIN CRAWLER ENDS UP UNDER YOUR FLESH

BECAUSE A MOSQUITO \h\hACTS AS COURIER

FOR THIS GHOULISH PARASITE.

YOU WON’T SEE IT, BUT WHILE \h\h\hTHE BLOODSUCKER FEEDS,

THE TINY LARVA DROPS \h\h\hONTO YOUR SKIN.

AT FIRST, ALL YOU’LL NOTICE \h\h\h\h\hIS AN INSECT BITE

THAT REFUSES TO HEAL.

LOOK CLOSER.

THERE’S SOMETHING MOVING \h\hAND FEEDING IN THERE.

\hTHE SKIN CRAWLER DIGS INTO YOUR FLESH WITH FANG-LIKE MOUTHPARTS.

ITS TAIL REMAINS \hAT THE SURFACE,

BECAUSE IT BREATHES \hTHROUGH ITS BUTT.

\hBURIED IN YOUR SKIN, IT FEASTS AND GROWS...

FROM A SLIVER OF A RICE GRAIN, \h\h\h\hTO A PLUMP JELLYBEAN.

\h\h\hTHORNY SPINES ANCHOR IT IN PLACE,

SO NOBODY CAN PULL IT OUT.

YOUR BOIL-SIZED WOUND \hOOZES CONTINUOUSLY,

BECAUSE THE SKIN CRAWLER \h\hREMOVES SCAB TISSUE,

KEEPS IT WET AND OPEN TO BREATHE,

LIKE AN AIR HOLE IN ICE.

FULLY GROWN, THE BOT FLY LARVA \h\hEXPLODES FROM ITS CHAMBER

LIKE A SUPER-SIZED ZIT.

\hDESPITE THE BACKWARDS-FACING SPIKES, YOU DON’T FEEL A THING.

IT SECRETES PAINKILLERS

\hTO MAKE ITS PRESENCE AS UNNOTICEABLE AS POSSIBLE.

FREE OF ITS HUMAN COCOON, \hIT BURROWS ONCE AGAIN.

SO BE CAREFUL WHEN NEXT YOU \h\h\hGO DOWN TO THE WOODS.

SOMETIMES A SINGLE DIGGER \h\h\h\h\h\hCAUSES CHAOS.

\hOTHERS SWARM WITH THE TERROR OF A MOB.

\h\h\h\hNEXT UP WE UNCOVER A COLONY OF MANIC MINERS.

[SNIFFING]

IT’S OVERCROWDED, BUSY, \hAND STUFFY DOWN HERE.

A HUNDRED ENERGETIC WORKERS \h\hGENERATE A LOT OF HEAT.

[SQUEAKING]

THE NUDISTS IN THIS COLONY WON’T WIN ANY BEAUTY COMPETITIONS.

WRINKLY SKIN, SQUINTY EYES AND \h\hQUESTIONABLE DENTAL WORK,

THE NAKED MOLE RAT’S MORE LIKELY TO BE THE CENTERFOLD

FOR WORLD’S WEIRDEST.

THREE FEET UNDER THE EARTH, \h\h\hYOU DON’T NEED LOOKS.

NOW, ABOUT THESE TEETH...

\h\h\hIT’S SAFE TO SAY THEY PRACTICALLY RUN THEIR LIVES.

THEY’RE USED FOR EATING, \h\h\h\h\h\hSOCIALIZING,

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY DIGGING.

FOUR MASSIVE INCISORS PROTRUDE \h\h\h\hOUTSIDE THEIR MOUTHS,

\h\h\hAND A QUARTER OF ALL MUSCLE POWER

IS CHANNELED TO THEIR JAWS.

THEIR LIPS CLOSE BEHIND THESE TUSKS, SO THEY DON’T EAT DIRT.

\hTEAMS OF WORKERS GNAW IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS

IN SEARCH OF ROOTS AND TUBERS.

\h\hIT’S LITERALLY A SHOT IN THE DARK.

THEY’RE PRODIGIOUS DIGGERS!

IN AN HOUR, 100 NAKED MOLE RATS, THE SIZE OF PORK SAUSAGES,

MOVE A WHEELBARROW’S \h\h\hWORTH OF SOIL.

THEY WORK IN CHAIN GANGS,

AND IT’S NO FUN BEING \h\h\hTHE SECOND LINK!

WHILE THE DIGGER TACKLES \h\h\hTHE SOIL ROCK FACE,

SWEEPERS KICK THE RUBBLE AWAY.

FINE TUFTS OF HAIR TURN THEIR FEET CONVENIENTLY INTO BROOMS.

♪

SHIFT CHANGE ALWAYS CAUSES \hDISSENTION IN THE RANKS.

♪

\h\hWHEN FOOD IS DISCOVERED IT’S NOT EATEN IMMEDIATELY.

NEWS OF THE TUBER IS SHARED WITH THE REST OF THE COLONY.

THE FINDER DOES KEEP A SMALL \h\h\h\hPORTION FOR HIMSELF.

NOW HIS TEETH GET \hEVEN FREAKIER--

EACH ONE WIGGLES INDEPENDENTLY, LIKE CHOPSTICKS,

TO WRANGLE HIS FOOD.

AND NOBODY LIKES EATING \h\hWITH DIRTY CUTLERY.

ONE MOLE RAT CALLS THE SHOTS.

THE QUEEN MOTHER.

[SQUEAKING]

HER FERTILITY IS MORE INSECT \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHAN MAMMAL.

SHE FALLS PREGNANT EVERY \h\hTWO AND A HALF MONTHS

AND CAN POP OUT LITTERS \h\h\h\h\h\hOF 20 PUPS!

\h\hSHE LOOKS DEFORMED BECAUSE SOME VERTEBRAE IN HER BACKBONE

\hELONGATE TO ACCOMMODATE HER PUP-BEARING LIFESTYLE.

WITH MANY MORE MOUTHS \hTO FEED EVERY YEAR,

IT’S NO WONDER THESE GUYS \h\h\h\h\h\hWORK OVERTIME.

FROM SABER-TOOTHED MINIONS WHO DIG FOR THE COMMUNITY,

\h\h\h\hTO A SOLO ARTIST, IN IT FOR PERSONAL GAIN.

HE’S THE OWNER OF THIS \h\hSUPER-SIZED TONGUE

WITH AN APPETITE TO MATCH.

THE TANTALIZING TONGUE TWISTER.

♪ CRAZY MONSTERS DIGGERS! ♪

IN THE ARID AFRICAN BUSHVELD,

THERE’S A BATTLE OF PATIENCE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBEING WAGED.

[SNORTING]

IT’S AN UNFAIR FIGHT.

\hTHIS OVERSIZED PINECONE IS THE EPITOME OF SELF-DEFENSE.

DESPITE POWERFUL JAWS AND CLAWS,

IT’S BETTER FOR THE CUB \h\h\h\h\hTO SURRENDER.

THIS FREAK ROLLS UP FOR HOURS

TO KEEP HIS VULNERABLE BITS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hPROTECTED

BENEATH TOUGH ARMOR CASING.

\h\h\h\h\h\hUNDERNEATH, HE’S A BIT OF A SOFTIE.

AND DEEP INSIDE, HE HIDES HIS UNIQUE FEEDING TOOL.

♪

THE TONGUE TWISTER, \hOR CAPE PANGOLIN,

HAS ONE OF THE LONGEST TONGUES \h\h\h\hIN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM.

12 INCHES OF FLEXIBLE MUSCLE, \h\h\h\h\hSTICKY AS FLYPAPER.

WITHDRAWN TILL IT’S NEEDED.

\h\h\hTHIS ARTICULATED TANK FOLLOWS HIS NOSE ANYWHERE.

HOOKED CLAWS ON HIS FRONT LEGS \hARE IMPRACTICAL FOR WALKING,

SO HE USES HIS TWO BACK LEGS, \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLIKE US,

\h\h\hCOUNTERBALANCED BY HIS MASSIVE TAIL.

\h\h\hTHE TONGUE TWISTER IS A SPECIALIST SURFACE DIGGER,

AND NOW CURVED TALONS FIT PERFECTLY INTO ANT HOLES.

HE PICKS HIS WAY ALONG \h\hSINGLE ANT TUNNELS

TO REACH THE CENTRAL NEST.

WITH NO TEETH TO CHEW,

\h\h\hTHE TONGUE TWISTER SWALLOWS THE ANTS WHOLE.

HE’S SO FAST.

HIS FEEDING METHOD IS MORE LIKE DRINKING THAN EATING.

HE LAPS UP HUNDREDS IN A SINGLE SESSION.

12 INCHES IS JUST THE PORTION \h\h\h\h\h\hTHAT STICKS OUT.

\hINSIDE, THE STRUCTURE THAT SUPPORTS THIS ENORMOUS TONGUE

IS EVEN LONGER!

THIS SPECIAL SHEATH ATTACHES \h\h\h\h\hTO THE BREASTBONE

EXTENDS DOWN PAST THE RIBS,

AND FOLDS BACK AROUND \h\h\hNEAR THE PELVIS.

TOTAL LENGTH--28 INCHES!

THE TONGUE TWISTER IS PREPARED \h\hFOR THE ANTS’ RETALIATION.

\h\hSUPER-THICK EYELIDS PROTECT HIM FROM BITES.

\h\hAND HE ACTIVELY FLATTENS HIS SCALES

\hSO THERE’S NOT EVEN AN ANT-SIZED OPENING!

[SLURPING]

\h\hEVEN THE FORMIC ACID ANTS PRODUCE AS A DEFENSE MECHANISM

ACTUALLY HELPS THE PANGOLIN \h\h\h\h\h\hTO DIGEST THEM!

[SNIFFING]

\h\h\h\hDINNER SORTED, IT’S TIME FOR A BATH.

\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE DRY MONTHS, WASHING IS DONE WITHOUT WATER.

THAT LEAVES SAND AND URINE.

AN UNCONVENTIONAL HYGIENE \hCHOICE, BUT EFFECTIVE.

\h\hARMOR PLATE SCALES ARE SO TIGHTLY PACKED TOGETHER

\hHE HAS TO PRY THEM APART TO REMOVE ITCHY PARASITES.

STICKY SALIVA IS PERFECT FOR THOSE HARD-TO-REACH PLACES.

BUT CAN LEAVE HIM TONGUE-TIED!

[PANTING]

♪

THE TERMITE MOUND IS HIS FINAL \h\h\hDESTINATION FOR THE DAY.

NOT TO PLUNDER, BUT FOR SLUMBER.

HE DOESN’T DIG HIS OWN BURROW.

HE USES A NEIGHBOR’S PAD \h\h\h\h\h\h\hFOR A NAP.

♪

\hDIGGING FREAKS HAVE CONQUERED THE LAND SINCE THE DAWN OF TIME,

WHEN LIFE FIRST WRIGGLED FREE \h\h\hOF THE PRIMORDIAL SOUP.

BUT SOME DECIDED TO STAY WET.

\h\h\hDESCEND TO THE DEPTHS FOR THE SCARY SAND STRIKER.

SEA MONSTERS ARE REAL!

\h\h\h\hON THE MUCKY SEABED OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC OCEAN

IS A FEROCIOUS PREDATOR.

HE APPEARS OUT OF NOWHERE,

EASY TO MISTAKE AS A PIECE OF SEAWEED.

BUT THESE FIVE ANTENNAE \h\h\h\h\h\hSEEK FLESH.

BENEATH THE PREY-DETECTION \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hEQUIPMENT,

THINGS GET MUCH WORSE--

JAWS UNFOLD LIKE A BEAR TRAP.

DEEP ON THE OCEAN FLOOR,

\h\h\hTHE SAND-STRIKER, OR BOBBIT WORM, WAITS,

WITH MULTIPLE MOUTHPARTS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hDISPLAYED.

BONE-HARD GRAPPLING HOOKS,

POISED TO PIERCE AND \h\hIMMOBILIZE PREY.

BUT THE REAL NIGHTMARE \h\h\hREMAINS UNSEEN--

COILED, PENT-UP AGGRESSION \h\h\h\hAS LONG AS AN ARM!

AND SOME SPECIMENS GROW TO TWICE THE LENGTH OF A MAN!

\h\h\h\h\hAS NIGHT FALLS, MANY SAND-STRIKERS EMERGE TO FEAST.

IT’S A BAD NEIGHBORHOOD \h\h\h\hTO HANG OUT IN.

BUT FISH ARE FAST.

AND THE SAND-STRIKERS \h\hARE FEEDING BLIND.

THEY DON’T HAVE EYES OR A BRAIN.

THEY REACT ONLY IF ONE OF THEIR ANTENNAE IS TRIGGERED,

OR IF A SHADOW LINGERS.

PATIENCE.

GOTCHA!

THE SHOAL IS MINUS ONE...

TWO!

JAWS SNAP SO VIOLENTLY, \hTHE FISH IS STUNNED.

IT’S A GRISLY WAY TO DIE.

\h\h\hLOOSE SOIL POURS INTO THE FISH’S GILLS.

IT SUFFOCATES IN THE DIRT.

\h\hAND THE SAND-STRIKERS ARE JUST GETTING STARTED.

IT’S TIME FOR THE MAIN COURSE.

♪

♪

UNDERGROUND, THERE’S PLENTY \h\h\h\h\hOF STORAGE SPACE.

ANYTHING ON THE SEABED \h\h\h\h\hIS FAIR GAME.

EVEN SPIKES AND VENOM \h\h\h\hARE NO MATCH.

♪

GONE IN SECONDS!

MASSACRE OVER, THE STRIKERS \h\h\hWITHDRAW TO DIGEST...

UNTIL THE NEXT TIME.

THERE’S ANOTHER OCEAN DIGGER

WHO PREFERS THE COLORFUL SPLENDOR OF A CORAL REEF.

SHE LOOKS LIKE A MONSTER \h\h\h\h\h\h\hFROM SPACE

WITH MORE APPENDAGES THAN SHE \h\h\hKNOWS WHAT TO DO WITH.

LEGS, ANTENNAE, CLAWS...

\h\h34 ARTICULATED BITS STICK OUT OF HER BODY.

EVEN HER EYES ARE ON STALKS.

HER DIGGING IS A LITTLE OCD.

UNDERSTANDABLE, WITH THE ARRAY \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF TOOLS SHE HAS

FOR HOME IMPROVEMENT.

\h\h\h\h\hTHE ALIEN ASSASSIN, OR MANTIS SHRIMP, IS A NEAT FREAK--

\h\hFASTIDIOUS ABOUT BURROW MAINTENANCE AND CLEANLINESS.

WHEN SHE’S NOT HUNTING,

\h\hSHE CHANNELS HOMICIDAL TENDENCIES INTO HOUSEWORK.

♪

HOOKED CLAWS ARE HANDY \h\hFOR RUBBLE REMOVAL,

\h\hBUT THEIR REAL PURPOSE IS TO ASSIST DURING AN ATTACK...

JUST LIKE HER EYES.

\h\hTHESE EXTRATERRESTRIAL ORBS POSSESS UNIQUE DEPTH PERCEPTION

TO TRACK PREY.

THE MOST SOPHISTICATED VISION \h\h\h\h\h\h\hON THE PLANET.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT SHE KEEPS HER MOST TERRIFYING WEAPON

LOCKED AND LOADED...

A SMASHING CLUB SHE CAN UNLEASH WITH THE SPEED OF A BULLET.

CUE DINNER GUEST.

\h\h\h\h\hTHE ALIEN ASSASSIN HAS THE CRAB IN HER SIGHTS.

BUT HE’S NO EASY TARGET.

HIS SHELL IS STRENGTHENED

\h\h\h\h\hWITH A COMPOSITE OF CHITIN PROTEIN FIBERS,

\hAND PINCERS CAN SLICE HER IN TWO.

THE ASSASSIN SHOWS NO MERCY.

HER PUNCH IS SO FAST WE HAVE TO SLOW HER DOWN 2,000% TO SEE IT!

♪

SHE ATTACKS LIKE A JACKHAMMER,

\h\h\hWITH A FORCE OVER 2,500 TIMES HER WEIGHT.

\hTHE BRUTAL STRIKE IS MORE THAN PURE MUSCLE.

WITHIN HER CLUB IS A POWER \h\h\hAMPLIFICATION SYSTEM.

LARGE EXTENSOR MUSCLES \h\hCOMPRESS A SPRING.

LATCHES LOCK THE SYSTEM \h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN PLACE.

\hLATCHES RELEASE, SPRING RELAXES...

KNOCKOUT IN THREE-THOUSANDTHS \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF A SECOND!

SHE CAN KEEP GOING ALL DAY \h\h\h\h\h\hIF SHE HAS TO,

TO REACH THE DELICIOUS \h\h\h\h\hFLESH INSIDE.

\hBUT HER GOURMET MEAL IS BEST ENJOYED IN PRIVATE.

♪

FROM A COMPULSIVE CLEANER \h\h\h\hWITH ANGER ISSUES,

\h\h\hTO THE EPITOME OF A FILTHY FREAK...

ROLL UP FOR THE POOPER-SCOOPER.

♪ DIGGERS! ♪

THERE’S NO MISTAKING \hTHIS FRESH SCENT.

[INSECTS BUZZING]

IT’S OFFICIAL--

\h\h\h\hTHIS DIGGER HAS THE ULTIMATE DIRTY JOB.

[INSECTS BUZZING]

THE POOPER-SCOOPER, \h\hOR DUNG BEETLE,

LIVES AND BREATHES THE STUFF.

OK, THEY DON’T ACTUALLY \h\h\h\h\hBREATHE DUNG.

BUT THEY DO LIVE IN IT.

90% OF THE 8,000 SPECIES \h\h\h\h\h\hARE TUNNELERS

\hTHAT BURROW DIRECTLY INTO THE DUNG OR UNDERNEATH IT.

BUT THINGS GET WAY MORE GROSS \h\h\hTHAN JUST PUSHING POOP.

THESE FREAKS ALSO EAT IT...

OR DRINK, TO BE PRECISE.

\h\h\hTHEY STRAIN THE LIQUID FROM FRESH DUNG LIKE WE SUCK ORANGES.

TINY HAIRS SIEVE OUT \h\hLARGE PARTICLES,

TO LEAVE BEHIND A HIGHLY \h\h\h\hNUTRITIOUS SOUP,

RIDDLED WITH GERMS AND BACTERIA.

YUM!

\h\h\h\hROLLERS PREFER THE TAKE-AWAY OPTION.

♪

THEY CARVE INDIVIDUAL PORTIONS \h\h\h\h\hOFF THE MOTHER LODE.

♪

A SCALLOPED HEAD AND SERRATED LEGS MAKE EFFICIENT TROWELS.

THE ROLLERS WORK FAST BEFORE THE DUNG HARDENS IN THE SUN.

\hAND BECAUSE COMPETITION FOR THIS FRESH RESOURCE IS FIERCE,

THE BEST STRATEGY IS \h\hTO ROLL AND GO--

GET AWAY FROM THE MAIN PILE \h\h\h\hAS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

BUT EVEN THE BEST-LAID PLANS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hCAN BACKFIRE.

♪

WITH HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE,

THIS MALE EVENTUALLY GETS A SPECTACULAR BALL AWAY.

NOW HE MUST FIND A SAFE PLACE \h\h\h\hTO BURY HIS TREASURE.

\h\hTRAVELLING BACKWARDS AND WORKING UPSIDE DOWN,

\h\h\h\hHE DEMONSTRATES HIS ENORMOUS STRENGTH.

\hDUNG BEETLES EASILY PUSH 50 TIMES THEIR OWN WEIGHT.

THAT’S LIKE LEG-PRESSING AN SUV WHILE DOING A HANDSTAND.

BUT BANDITS PATROL THIS ROUTE.

♪

HIGHWAY ROBBERY IS \hCOMMON PRACTICE.

NOW, JAGGED LEGS ARE FORMIDABLE WEAPONS.

♪

OWNERSHIP OF THE BALL COMES DOWN TO POSITION AND TIMING.

SAFE AND ALONE AT LAST, OUR HERO SHARES HIS RELATIONSHIP STATUS--

SINGLE.

HE RUBS HIS HAIRY BACK LEGS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOVER HIS BUTT

\hTO RELEASE A POWDERY WHITE SMOKE, LACED WITH PHEROMONES.

\h\hTHIS AIRBORNE LOVE LETTER TELLS PARTNERS HE’S AVAILABLE

AND COMES BEARING GIFTS.

THE LUCKY FEMALE WILL LAY HER \h\hEGGS INSIDE HIS TREASURE.

♪

THE HAPPY COUPLE COORDINATES \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHEIR EFFORT

AND BURIES THE BALL.

UNDERGROUND AND UNDISTURBED, \hA NEW GENERATION IS BORN.

IT MIGHT BE A LITTLE SMELLY,

BUT THIS NURSERY IS SAFE, \h\hWARM AND GOOD TO EAT.

\h\hDIGGERS POP UP IN EVERY LOCATION.

SOME HOMES ARE SOFT AND SLIMY,

\h\hWHILE OTHERS LIVE IN HARD-PACKED EARTH.

\h\hOUR NEXT FREAK SLEEPS IN SEA SAND.

BEWARE THE ZOMBIE SNAIL!

THE SEASHORE HIDES A SECRET--

\hAN UNTOLD HORROR RIGHT UNDER VACATIONERS’ FEET.

ZOMBIE HORDES WAIT \h\hJUST OFFSHORE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hON THE BEACH IS A SUNKEN ARMY OF THE UNDEAD

THAT REQUIRES ONE THING \h\h\h\hTO REANIMATE--

THE POTENT SCENT OF DEATH.

SHALLOW GRAVES ERUPT.

♪

HUNDREDS, DESPERATE FOR FLESH.

\h\h\h\h\hLIKE BLOOD TO A SHARK, ZOMBIE SNAILS, OR PLOUGH SNAILS,

ARE DRAWN BY DEATH CHEMICALS \h\hTHAT OOZE FROM CORPSES.

THE SIPHON LEADS THE WAY \h\h\hAND TESTS THE WATER

FOR SIGNAL STRENGTH \h\hAND DIRECTION.

THERE’S NO STOPPING THEM.

IT’S A RACE TO FEED.

\h\h\hAND IF CRAWLING ISN’T FAST ENOUGH, THEY SURF UP THE BEACH!

\hPUTRID FISH TRIGGERS A MASS FEEDING FRENZY.

[SQUAWKS]

TO EAT, ZOMBIE SNAILS EXTEND \h\h\hA TRUNK-LIKE PROBOSCIS

AS LONG AS THEIR BODY.

IT’S PART VACUUM CLEANER, \h\h\h\h\h\h\hPART DRILL,

\h\h\hAND SEARCHES FOR A GOOD PLACE TO TUNNEL.

\h\hA SANDPAPER TONGUE RASPS THE SKIN TO PENETRATE FLESH.

THEN, LIQUID TISSUE IS SUCKED UP LIKE A SLUSHIE!

[SLURPING]

SOFT AREAS ARE EASIEST \h\h\h\h\hTO PUNCTURE.

A FLESH MOUNTAIN IS A RARE TREAT.

IT’LL BE GONE WHEN \h\hTHE TIDE TURNS.

\h\h\hFOR THESE ZOMBIE DIGGERS, LIFE IS EITHER FEAST OR FAMINE.

THEY’RE VORACIOUS.

\hA ZOMBIE SNAIL SLURPS UP A THIRD OF ITS BODY WEIGHT

IN 10 MINUTES.

WITH THE PROBOSCIS BURIED \h\hDEEP INSIDE THE FISH,

\hA SNAIL STAYS ANCHORED TO ITS FOOD WHEN A WAVE COMES.

TODAY THEY’VE GOT \hOTHER PROBLEMS.

\h\h\h\h\h\hFEAST OVER, IT’S TIME TO SUBMERGE.

THE SAME UNDULATING MOTION \hTHAT MOVES THEM FORWARD

DIGS THEM UNDER.

♪

THE BEACH IS EMPTY ONCE MORE,

TILL THE NEXT CORPSE EXTENDS \h\hAN INVITATION TO FEAST!

♪

DIGGERS COME IN ALL \hSHAPES AND SIZES,

\h\hFROM SEASHELLS, TO GRUBS AND BUGS.

IT’S TIME TO MEET THE BIGGEST \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF THE BUNCH.

THIS IS THE DEMOLITION GIANT.

♪ CRAZY MONSTER! ♪

UNDER AFRICAN SKIES,

\h\h\hTHE MOST POWERFUL DIGGER ON THE PLANET IS HARD AT WORK.

THE DEMOLITION GIANT, \h\h\h\hOR AARDVARK,

MOTORS THROUGH THE EARTH, BUT IS ALMOST NEVER SEEN.

HE LEAVES TRACES, IMPRESSIVE HOLES,

BIG ENOUGH FOR A MAN \h\h\h\hTO STAND IN.

BUT WHO IS THE ARCHITECT?

\h\h\hTHE DEMOLITION GIANT IS A FRANKENSTEIN OF SPARE PARTS.

CLAWS LIKE A BEAR.

EARS FROM A RABBIT.

[SNIFFING]

A RAT-LIKE BODY AND TAIL,

FINISHED OFF WITH A PIG’S SNOUT!

THE AARDVARK IS A REAL FREAK, \h\h\hA ONE-OF-A-KIND ANIMAL,

THE ONLY SPECIES IN ITS ORDER.

HE MIGHT BE A JUMBLE OF BITS AND PIECES,

BUT TOGETHER, EACH PART COMBINES INTO THE ULTIMATE EARTHMOVER.

HIS MOBILE PIGGY SNOUT HAS DENSE NOSTRIL HAIR

\h\h\h\hTO KEEP DUST OUT WHEN THE DIGGING STARTS.

HE HAS MORE SPONGY NASAL BONE \h\h\hTHAN ANY OTHER MAMMAL,

FOR A KEEN SENSE OF SMELL.

ONCE HIS NOSE DETECTS \h\hANTS OR TERMITES,

HIS BEAR CLAWS TAKE OVER...

NATURE’S BACKHOES.

THESE ARE THE GENUINE \h\hWOLVERINE WEAPONS.

CURVED BLADES, AS HARD AS HORN, PART NAIL, PART HOOF,

MAKE THE PERFECT TOOL \h\h\h\hFOR PLUNDER.

THE DEMOLITION GIANT IS THE ONLY ANIMAL STRONG ENOUGH

\h\h\h\hTO POWER STRAIGHT THROUGH A TERMITE MOUND.

[SCRATCHING]

\h\hTHIS CLAY BAKES AS HARD AS CONCRETE

UNDER THE INTENSE AFRICAN SUN.

WITH HIS SQUAT, RAT-LIKE BODY,

HE CAN DIRECT ALL HIS MUSCLE CAPACITY TO HIS FRONT LEGS.

\hA STICKY TONGUE, AS LONG AS A RULER

\h\h\h\hMAKES SHORT WORK OF THE UNCOVERED TREATS.

[SLURPING]

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHE’S A BIG GUY, ABOUT THE SIZE OF A MASTIFF,

SO IT TAKES 50,000 INSECTS \h\hPER NIGHT TO FILL HIM.

[SLURPING]

[WHOOPING]

AN ALARM--SERIOUS ENOUGH TO INTERRUPT HIS SUPPER.

[WHOOPING]

\h\hHIS RABBIT EARS WORK LIKE ANTENNAE,

AND CONSTANTLY SCAN THE BUSH FOR DANGER.

[WHOOPING]

THAT’S TOO CLOSE.

\h\hTHOUGH HE DOES SLASH AT PREDATORS WHEN THEY ATTACK,

IT’S OFTEN QUICKER TO DIG.

HE’S SO FAST, HE CAN TUNNEL AWAY AND DISAPPEAR UNDERGROUND

IN LESS THAN TWO MINUTES!

[WHOOPING]

THE DEMOLITION GIANT IS JUST \h\h\hNOT WORTH THE EFFORT.

OUR COLLECTION OF DIGGERS

HAS MANY WEIRD AND WONDERFUL \h\h\h\h\h\h\hADAPTATIONS--

NOSE FINGERS AND SLURPEE STRAWS,

TO NEEDLE SKIN AND DAGGER CLAWS.

THERE ARE SMASHERS \h\hAND STRIKERS...

TO SUCKERS AND BITERS.

JUST DON’T DIG TOO DEEP.

WE’VE ONLY SCRATCHED THE SURFACE OF NATURE’S REAL FREAK SHOW.

♪ CRAZY MONSTER ♪