Original subtitles

Narrator: THERE’S AN ALIEN WORLD AROUND OUR FEET.

THEY’RE DEADLY,

THEY’RE HUGE,

AND THEY’RE DOWNRIGHT \h\h\h\h\hDISGUSTING.

\hBUGS ARE FOUND ON EVERY CONTINENT ON THE PLANET.

\h\h\h\h\hTHEY CAN SURVIVE IN SUB-ZERO TEMPERATURES,

THRIVE IN THE DRIEST DESERTS.

THEY RULE THE SKIES,

THE WATERY UNDERWORLD,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND INFEST THE ROTTING FOREST FLOOR.

OVER HALF A BILLION YEARS \h\h\h\h\h\hOF EVOLUTION

\h\h\h\h\h\hHAS EQUIPPED THEM WITH SOME BIZARRE ADAPTATIONS,

FROM FLESH-EATING VENOM...

TO WEAPONS OF HORROR.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSOME FORM DEADLY PREDATOR SWARMS,

\h\h\h\hWHILE OTHERS ARE NEARLY INVISIBLE.

\hAND ONE GIANT MONSTER THAT RULES THEM ALL...

IT’S THE BIGGEST BLOOD-HUNGRY BUG

ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY,

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

[THUNDER]

COME OUT OF THE COLD

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

\h\h\h\hAnnouncer: CRAZY MONSTER BUGS!

Narrator: BUGS OUTNUMBER HUMANS 200 MILLION TO ONE,

MAKING THEM THE BIGGEST FAMILY \h\h\h\h\hOF FREAKS ON EARTH.

\h\h\hBUT OUR COLLECTION IS BY FAR THE FREAKIEST.

THERE’S THE SAND MONSTER

THAT TURNS ITS VICTIMS \h\h\h\h\h\hINTO SOUP,

THE SHAPESHIFTER,

AND A RUTHLESS KILLER.

ONE SPRAYS MOLTEN-HOT LIQUID \h\h\h\h\h\h\hFROM ITS BUTT,

\h\h\h\h\hWHILE ANOTHER CAN BREATHE UNDERWATER.

BUT OUR FIRST MONSTER BUG \h\h\hHAS VENOM SO TOXIC,

IT KILLS UP TO 40 PEOPLE A YEAR.

♪ CRAZY MONSTER ♪

♪ CRAZY MONSTER ♪

♪ CRAZY MONSTER BUGS ♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: IN THE ICY MOUNTAINS OF JAPAN,

\h\h\h\h\h\hA GIANT HORNET QUEEN AWAKES FROM A SIX-MONTH SLUMBER.

AT TWO INCHES LONG,

\h\h\h\h\hTHIS FLYING SAMURAI IS THE LARGEST WASP ON EARTH.

AND SHE HAS ONLY ONE GOAL:

TO RAISE AN ARMY.

♪

\hSHE CONSTRUCTS A NEST FROM WOOD PULP AND SPIT

\h\h\h\h\hTO LAY THE EGGS OF HER PRIZED WARRIORS--

EVERY SINGLE ONE A FEMALE.

♪

WHEN THESE SOLDIERS ARE BORN, \h\h\hTHEY ARE ARMED FOR WAR.

\h\hA QUARTER-INCH STINGER THAT INJECTS LETHAL VENOM,

JAWS THAT DECAPITATE AND DISMEMBER PREY,

AND WINGS DESIGNED FOR AERIAL COMBAT.

\h\hSOON, THE HIVE IS OVER 600 STRONG.

\h\h\hTHE LARVAE SCRAPE THEIR MANDIBLES ALONG THE CELL WALLS

TO LET THE ADULTS KNOW \h\h\h\hTHEY’RE HUNGRY.

\h\h\h\h\h\hIT IS TIME FOR THE FLYING SAMURAIS

TO HUNT THEIR FAVORITE PREY:

HONEYBEES.

HORNET SCOUTS DISPATCH.

♪

\hONE SCOUT SELECTS A BEEHIVE AND MARKS IT WITH PHEROMONES,

CALLING THE SAMURAI ARMY TO WAR.

THE HORNETS’ AIM IS TO PILLAGE \hTHE BEES’ LARVAE AND HONEY,

\h\h\hBUT FIRST THEY MUST DESTROY THE INHABITANTS.

♪

A SINGLE SAMURAI CAN KILL 40 HONEYBEES IN A MINUTE.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE HONEYBEE GRUBS ARE RIPPED FROM THEIR COZY HOLES

\h\h\h\h\h\hAND CRUSHED INTO HORNET BABY FOOD.

BUT NOT ALL THE BEES \hGIVE UP SO EASILY.

\h\h\h\hTHEY HAVE EVOLVED THEIR OWN DEADLY DEFENSE.

\h\hFIRST, THEY OVERWHELM AND ENGULF THE INTRUDER.

♪

BY VIBRATING,

\h\h\h\hTHE HONEYBEES RAISE THEIR COLLECTIVE TEMPERATURE

TO OVER 100 DEGREES...

COOKING THE HORNET INSIDE.

♪

[BUZZING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hYET DESPITE THE BEES’ BEST EFFORTS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHEY ARE NO MATCH FOR AN ARMY OF FLYING SAMURAIS.

♪

WITHIN THREE HOURS, THE MASSACRE IS OVER

AND NEARLY 30,000 BEES ARE DEAD.

\h\h\hTHE WARRIORS RETURN WITH THEIR SPOILS OF WAR.

THEY’VE STOLEN ENOUGH FOOD TO FEED THE ENTIRE HORNET COLONY.

BUT IT WON’T BE LONG

BEFORE THE GROWING GRUBS \h\h\h\hGET HUNGRY AGAIN.

FROM FLYING SAMURAI

TO GIANT ARMORED BEASTS

AND HAIRY SAND MONSTERS,

BUGS HAVE ADAPTED TO LIVE ANYWHERE,

FROM HIGH IN THE TREETOPS

TO DEEP UNDERWATER.

\h\h\hAND OUR NEXT MONSTER BUG HAS A PECULIAR TRICK UP ITS...

SLEEVE.

THIS POND MAY APPEAR PEACEFUL,

BUT A VORACIOUS PREDATOR \hLURKS IN THESE WATERS.

♪

THIS IS THE DIVING BEETLE.

ALTHOUGH THIS STRANGE BEETLE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCAN FLY...

IT PREFERS TO SWIM.

ITS FLAT, ROUND BODY

HELPS IT GLIDE THROUGH THE WATER LIKE A TORPEDO.

AND A REINFORCED DIVE SUIT

\h\h\h\h\hPROTECTS HIM WHEN HE’S ON THE HUNT.

HIS BACK LEGS ARE COVERED \h\h\h\h\h\hIN FINE HAIRS

AND ACT LIKE OARS,

WHICH PROPEL HIM FORWARDS.

BUT HIS MOST IMPRESSIVE FEAT

\h\h\h\hIS THE ABILITY TO BREATHE UNDERWATER.

\h\h\hTHE DIVING BEETLE SHOVES HIS BACKSIDE OUT AT THE SURFACE

\h\h\h\h\hAND SUCKS AIR INTO WHAT APPEARS TO BE HIS BUTT.

HE ACTUALLY STORES AN AIR BUBBLE UNDER HIS WINGS

TO CREATE A HOMEMADE SCUBA TANK.

♪

ONCE HIS OXYGEN SUPPLY \h\h\h\h\h\hIS USED UP,

THE LEFTOVER GASES \h\hARE RELEASED...

[BLUB]

\h\h\h\h\hAND HE MUST RETURN TO THE SURFACE FOR A REFILL.

♪

BUT WHY GO THROUGH ALL THIS TROUBLE TO LIVE UNDERWATER?

THE ANSWER IS SIMPLE:

FOOD.

\h\h\h\hDOWN HERE, THERE IS AN ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BUFFET,

\hWITH VERY LITTLE INSECT COMPETITION.

♪

AND THE DIVING BEETLE’S \h\h\h\h\hFAVORITE PREY

ARE JUICY TADPOLES.

HE CAN’T SEE WELL AT ALL,

\h\hSO HE SIMPLY GRABS AT ANYTHING THAT MOVES.

♪

\h\hHE SLICES UP HIS MEAL WITH A SCISSOR-LIKE MOUTH

AND STARTS TO DEVOUR THE TADPOLES ALIVE.

\hTHE WATER CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE.

AND WHILE THE DIVING BEETLE MAY RULE THE AQUATIC UNDERWORLD,

ANOTHER FREAK HAS EVOLVED \hTO PATROL THE SURFACE.

THIS IS THE MIRACULOUS \h\h\h\h\h\hJESUS BUG.

LIKE A FREAKISH FIGURE SKATER,

THE WATER STRIDER HAS MASTERED \hTHE ART OF WALKING ON WATER.

\hTHE TIPS OF HIS LEGS ARE SHAPED LIKE OARS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND WHILE THE MIDDLE LEGS PADDLE,

THE HIND LEGS STEER.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAT ONE-FIFTH THE WEIGHT OF A PAPER CLIP

AND ONLY A THIRD OF AN INCH LONG,

THE WATER STRIDER CAN MOVE \hOVER 3 FEET PER SECOND.

THAT’S LIKE A HOCKEY PLAYER

SKATING THE LENGTH OF THREE ICE RINKS

IN ONE SECOND.

THIS FREAK OF NATURE IS A LIVING MIRACLE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTECHNICALLY, THE WATER STRIDER SHOULD SINK,

AS IT IS DENSER THAN WATER.

\h\h\hTHEIR LONG LEGS DO HELP DISTRIBUTE THEIR BODY WEIGHT.

BUT THE TRUE SECRET TO THIS SUPERPOWER

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS HIDDEN AT A MICROSCOPIC LEVEL.

THOUSANDS OF MICRO-HAIRS COVER ITS BODY AND LEGS.

AND EACH HAIR IS COATED \hIN A WATERPROOF WAX.

THESE HAIRS TRAP AIR,

WHICH FORMS A CUSHION AGAINST \h\hTHE SURFACE OF THE WATER.

AS EACH LEG PUSHES DOWN,

THE AIR BUBBLE PUSHES BACK UP,

ALLOWING THE JESUS BUG \h\h\hTO WALK ON WATER.

\h\hSUCH MIRACULOUS LEGS REQUIRE THE UTMOST CARE,

\h\h\h\h\h\hSO GROOMING KEEPS HIS WATERPROOF HAIRS IN CHECK.

BUT DON’T LET ITS SMALL SIZE AND DELICATE TOUCH FOOL YOU.

\h\h\hTHE WATER STRIDER IS A RUTHLESS PREDATOR.

WITH ITS FRONT LEGS

IT PICKS UP THE VIBRATIONS \hOF A STRUGGLING INSECT.

BUT THE JESUS BUG

\h\h\h\h\h\hISN’T THE ONLY ONE WHO PREYS ON DROWNING VICTIMS.

HE’LL LEAVE THIS ONE \h\h\hTO THE FISHES.

THERE ARE ENOUGH FLOATING BODIES TO GO AROUND.

\h\h\h\h\hWITH SPECIAL CLAWS, HE HOLDS HIS PREY IN POSITION

AND INJECTS A LIQUEFYING COCKTAIL INTO ITS GUT...

[SLURPING]

BEFORE SUCKING UP THE BUG SMOOTHIE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE JESUS BUG WADES TO THE WATER’S EDGE

\h\h\h\hTO GET READY FOR HIS NEXT ATTACK.

WHILE SOME BUGS HUNT IN WATER,

OTHERS TAKE TO THE AIR,

\h\hBUT OUR NEXT FREAK HAS EVOLVED TO SURVIVE

IN ONE OF THE DRIEST \h\hPLACES ON EARTH.

THIS IS THE HIDEOUS ANT LION.

THE DRY AFRICAN SAVANNA \hIS THE HUNTING GROUND

\hFOR A LIGHTNING-FAST AND FEROCIOUS PREDATOR.

THE ANTLION IS A SAND MONSTER

\h\h\h\hMORE AT HOME IN A STAR WARS MOVIE.

TEMPERATURES REACH OVER 100 DEGREES,

\h\h\hYET THE ANTLION IS PERFECTLY ADAPTED

TO RULE THIS SANDY INFERNO.

\h\hTINY HAIRS HELP IT MOVE THROUGH THE SAND,

\hWHILE A WAXY SUIT OF ARMOR PROTECTS IT FROM DEHYDRATION.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE ANTLION DOESN’T NEED TO DRINK WATER.

IT GETS ALL ITS LIQUIDS \h\h\h\hFROM ITS PREY.

THIS ANTLION IS THE LARVA \h\h\hOF A FLYING INSECT,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND LACKS CERTAIN ADULT FEATURES,

LIKE WINGS, EYES, AND AN ANUS.

\h\h\h\h\hIT WON’T POOP FOR UP TO THREE YEARS.

\hTO DEVELOP INTO AN ADULT, THE ANTLION LIVES TO FEED.

\h\h\h\hIT HAS MASTERED THE ART OF EXCAVATION.

USING ITS ABDOMEN,

IT SHOVELS AND PLOWS \h\hTHROUGH THE SAND

IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT SPOT \h\h\h\h\hFOR ITS DEATH TRAP.

THE ANTLION GRADUALLY BORES INTO THE EARTH,

\h\hMAKING THE PIT DEEPER AND DEEPER.

♪

THE STEEP SIDES ARE PURPOSEFULLY LOOSE AND UNSTABLE,

WAITING FOR ANY UNLUCKY VICTIM \h\h\hTO TRIGGER A SAND-SLIDE.

♪

♪

THE ANTLION TRIES TO KNOCK \hITS VICTIMS OFF BALANCE.

♪

ITS SICKLE-SHAPED JAWS \h\h\h\h\hSLAM SHUT...

[SLAM]

AND INJECT PARALYZING VENOM TO FINALLY SUBDUE ITS PREY.

\hTHE JAWS ACT LIKE A STRAW TO SUCK UP THE JUICES OF THE ANT.

ONCE THE CARCASS IS SUCKED DRY,

THE EMPTY VESSEL IS DISCARDED...

AND THE ANTLION RESETS ITS TRAP,

READY FOR THE NEXT VICTIM.

♪

WE’VE SEEN THE DISGUSTING,

THE DEADLY, AND THE SMALL,

BUT WE’RE STILL TO REVEAL THE BIGGEST AND FREAKIEST

OF THEM ALL.

OUR NEXT MONSTER BUG

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHAS AN ARSENAL THAT WILL LEAVE YOU STEAMING.

IT’S THE EXPLOSIVE RING STINGER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE DARKNESS OF THE ROTTING FOREST FLOOR

LIVES A CRAZY MONSTER BUG

THAT HAS TAKEN ONBOARD WEAPONRY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.

♪

THE BOMBARDIER BEETLE

IS ON THE HUNT FOR WOODLICE \h\h\hAND OTHER SMALL SNACKS

\h\h\h\h\hTO KEEP UP WITH ITS HIGH-ENERGY DEMANDS.

♪

HIS HARDY SUIT PROTECTS HIM \h\h\hFROM KNOCKS AND BUMPS.

♪

\h\h\hBUT THE FOREST FLOOR CAN BE A DANGEROUS PLACE FOR AN INSECT.

AND YET, MANY CHOOSE TO IGNORE \h\h\h\hTHIS FREAK OF NATURE.

COULD IT BE THAT THEY KNOW \hABOUT ITS SECRET WEAPON?

♪

THIS TOAD IS OBVIOUSLY \h\h\h\hNOT ACQUAINTED

WITH THE RING STINGER,

\h\h\h\hAND HE IS IN FOR A NASTY SURPRISE.

WHEN THREATENED,

\h\h\hTHE RING STINGER SQUIRTS A HOT LETHAL CHEMICAL COCKTAIL

FROM ITS BUTT.

\h\hAND THE MECHANISM FROM WHICH IT DOES SO

IS NOTHING SHORT OF GENIUS.

GLANDS IN THE TIP OF THE ABDOMEN

PRODUCE AN ORGANIC ACID \hAND HOMEMADE BLEACH.

THESE TWO HARMLESS CHEMICALS ARE STORED IN SEPARATE CHAMBERS.

WHEN THE RING STINGER \h\h\h\hNEEDS TO FIRE,

THE TWO CHEMICALS ARE PUSHED \h\hTHROUGH A ONE-WAY VALVE

INTO A TOUGH REACTION CHAMBER.

HERE, THE CHEMICALS \h\hMIX TO PRODUCE

A VOLATILE, BOILING HOT, \h\h\h\h\hEXPLOSIVE SPRAY

OVER 200 DEGREES.

[HISSING]

\h\h\hBY PULSING ITS SPRAY AT 700 SQUIRTS PER SECOND,

\hTHE BEETLE STOPS ITSELF FROM BURNING TO A CRISP.

[HISSING]

♪

THE RING STINGER’S \h\hCLEVER ARSENAL

LEAVES IT UNPOPULAR,

BUT UNHARMED.

AND WITH ITS REPUTATION STILL VERY MUCH INTACT,

IT’S OFF TO LOOK FOR MORE FOOD.

SOME BUGS HAVE EVOLVED \h\h\hCHEMICAL WEAPONS.

\h\h\hOTHERS TRANSFORM BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND ONE HAS THE ABILITY TO DISAPPEAR.

THIS IS THE STICK.

YOU MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SEE IT.

BUT SOMEWHERE ON THIS TREE

IS THE LONGEST INSECT \h\h\h\hON THE PLANET.

\h\h\h\h\hTHE GIANT STICK INSECT CAN GROW TO OVER 10 INCHES LONG.

TO AVOID BEING EATEN,

THIS DITHERING VEGETARIAN

\h\h\h\hHAS EVOLVED AN ARRAY OF ELABORATE ALIEN DEFENSES,

AND HER MOST POWERFUL \h\h\h\hIS CAMOUFLAGE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hSUCKER PADS AT THE TIPS OF HER FEET

ALLOW THE STICK TO HANG AROUND \h\h\h\hAND EVEN UPSIDE DOWN,

ALMOST LIFELESS.

\hHER PROTECTIVE SUIT LOOKS JUST LIKE BARK,

WHILE HER JOINTS RESEMBLE \h\hKNOTS ALONG A BRANCH.

EVEN HER EYES ARE HARD TO FIND.

THE STICK NOT ONLY LOOKS LIKE A TWIG,

SHE ACTS LIKE ONE, TOO,

SWAYING IN THE WIND.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hWHILE EATING, SHE WILL EAT THE ENTIRE LEAF,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLEAVING NO HALF-CHEWED BIT BEHIND

THAT MIGHT GIVE AWAY \h\h\hHER POSITION.

[CHEWING]

THE STICK TAKES CAMOUFLAGE \h\h\h\h\h\h\hSO SERIOUSLY

THAT EVEN HER POOP LOOKS LIKE A STICK.

BUT WHEN HER CLEVER CAMOUFLAGE \h\h\h\hDOESN’T QUITE CUT IT,

THE STICK HAS ANOTHER TRICK \h\h\h\h\h\hUP HER SLEEVE...

WINGS.

THIS SUDDEN FLASH OF COLOR IS DESIGNED TO STARTLE PREDATORS.

BUT THE SNAKE ISN’T PERTURBED.

\h\h\h\h\hSO THE STICK TRIES ONE MORE DEFENSE:

INSECT TEAR GAS.

IT WORKS.

SOME BUGS GO TO EXTREME LENGTHS TO PLAY DEAD,

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT OUR NEXT FREAK QUITE LITERALLY TURNS HER PREY

INTO THE LIVING DEAD.

THE AFRICAN WINTER IS COMING,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND TO SURVIVE THESE DESPERATELY DRY MONTHS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOUR NEXT FREAK IS STOCKING UP HER LARDER...

WITH BODIES.

[BUZZING]

THIS IS THE THREAD-WAISTED WASP.

HER LARGE EYES PROVIDE EXCELLENT COLOR VISION

AND ALLOW HER TO SPOT PREY \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hFROM AFAR.

FOR PRECISION FLYING,

SHE HOOKS HER WINGS TOGETHER \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hLIKE VELCRO

AND TARGETS HER PREY \h\h\hFROM THE AIR.

\hTHE WASP INJECTS PARALYZING VENOM,

TURNING THE CATERPILLAR INTO A PRESERVED MEAL.

BUT THIS JUICY FEAST \h\h\hIS NOT FOR HER.

SHE DRAGS THE DEADWEIGHT DINNER BACK TO HER NEST,

WHERE HER EGGS ARE ALREADY \hINCUBATING UNDERGROUND,

GLUED ONTO PREVIOUSLY \h\h\hPARALYZED PREY.

\h\hTHIS BODY SNATCHER CAN CARRY CATERPILLARS

THAT WEIGH UP TO 10 TIMES \h\h\h\h\hHER OWN WEIGHT.

HER RAKE-LIKE FORELEGS

ARE SPECIFICALLY ADAPTED \h\h\h\h\h\hFOR DIGGING.

ONCE SHE UNPLUGS THE ENTRANCE,

THE CATERPILLAR IS DRAGGED \h\h\h\hINTO THE DARKNESS.

COMPLETELY PARALYZED,

THE CATERPILLAR WILL STAY ALIVE AND FRESH IN THIS TOMB

FOR WEEKS.

AND WHEN THE BABY WASPS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hARE BORN,

THEY WILL FEAST ON THE UNDEAD.

\hWHILE THIS WASP BURIES HER VICTIMS UNDERGROUND,

OTHERS GO ONE STEP FURTHER

TO ENSURE A FRESH MEAL \hFOR THEIR OFFSPRING.

THIS BODY SNATCHER \hINJECTS HER EGGS

STRAIGHT INTO THE CATERPILLAR.

SHE LAYS UP TO 100 EGGS \h\h\h\h\hIN ONE SHOT,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDEEP INTO THE CATERPILLAR’S BODY.

THE GOOEY INSIDES OF THE CATERPILLAR

WILL ACT AS AN INCUBATOR \h\h\hFOR THE WASP EGGS,

AND ONCE THEY HATCH,

\h\h\h\h\hTHE WASP LARVAE WILL EAT THE CATERPILLAR

FROM THE INSIDE OUT.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE GROWING LARVAE CONTROL THE CATERPILLAR’S MIND,

\h\h\h\hFORCING IT TO CONSUME ONE AND A HALF TIMES MORE FOOD

THAN IT NORMALLY WOULD...

UNTIL IT’S TIME TO POP OUT.

♪

THEY EAT THEIR WAY FREE

AND COMPLETE THEIR TRANSITION \h\h\h\h\h\h\hINTO ADULTHOOD.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT SADLY, THE MUTILATED CATERPILLAR

WILL NEVER GET TO COMPLETE \h\hITS OWN METAMORPHOSIS.

WE’VE MET THE SQUIRTERS,

THE INVISIBLE,

AND THE BODY SNATCHERS.

IT’S NOW TIME FOR OUR NEXT FREAK TO UNLEASH ITS FURY.

THIS IS THE MARKSMAN.

[GROWLING]

THIS LUSH EVERGREEN FOREST

\hIS THE HUNTING GROUND FOR A PROFESSIONAL SHARPSHOOTER.

\h\h\h\hTHE PRAYING MANTID IS A NATURAL BORN KILLER.

\h\h\hITS FIRST-EVER MEAL WAS ONE OF ITS SIBLINGS.

\h\hAND IT DOESN’T OUTGROW ITS MALICE.

THIS ALIEN-LOOKING HUNTER

FEATURES A SET OF WEAPONS \h\h\hFIT FOR AN ASSASSIN.

ITS FRONT LEGS ARE SPRING-LOADED

\hAND PACKED WITH DEADLY HOOKS AND SPIKES TO IMPALE ITS PREY.

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT THE SECRET TO THE MARKSMAN’S HUNTING SUCCESS

\h\h\h\h\hLIES NOT ONLY IN ITS DEADLY FOREARMS,

\h\h\h\h\hBUT ALSO IN ITS INCREDIBLY SHARP SENSES.

TWO THIN ANTENNAE PICK UP EVEN \hTHE FAINTEST SCENT OF PREY.

\h\h\h\hITS TRIANGULAR HEAD CAN TURN ALMOST FULL CIRCLE,

GIVING IT A SUPERSIZED \h\h\h\hFIELD OF VIEW,

\h\h\h\hWHILE ITS FIVE EYES ALLOW IT TO DETECT MOVEMENT

UP TO 60 FEET AWAY.

ITS LARGER EYES

\h\h\hARE MADE UP OF 10,000 LIGHT-SENSITIVE STRUCTURES,

ESSENTIALLY EACH ONE A TINY EYE WITH ITS OWN LENS.

EACH TINY LENS FOCUSES LIGHT \hDOWN INTO THE OPTIC NERVE

\h\h\hWHERE THE FULL SUPER-HD PANORAMIC PICTURE IS CREATED.

\hTHESE ALIEN EYES DON’T HAVE PUPILS.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE BLACK SPOTS ARE A MERE OPTICAL ILLUSION.

THE MANTID ISN’T JUST \h\h\hLOOKING AT YOU;

IT SEES EVERYTHING.

♪

ITS WEAPONS ARE LOADED,

AND ITS SENSES ARE SHARP.

IT’S TIME TO HUNT.

♪

[CHIRPING]

♪

[GRASSHOPPER CHIRPING]

♪

[CHIRPING]

\h\h\hTHE MARKSMAN USES ITS INCREDIBLE STRENGTH

TO TEAR ITS PREY LIMB FROM LIMB.

♪

♪

\h\h\hAFTER DINNER, THE MANTID CLEANS UP

BEFORE HEADING OFF \hTO FIND DESSERT.

\h\hTHE PRAYING MANTID IS NOT THE ONLY KILLER

IN THIS NECK OF THE WOODS.

♪

\hWHILE HE MAY LOOK COMICAL WITH HIS STRANGE, LONG NOSE,

\h\h\hTHE ASSASSIN BUG IS NO LAUGHING MATTER.

\h\hTHIS FREAK HAS THE ABILITY TO LITERALLY LIQUEFY HIS PREY.

♪

\h\h\h\hHIS RED COLOR IS NOT JUST FOR SHOW;

\h\hIT’S A WARNING TO OTHER PREDATORS.

\h\h\hWITH ANTENNAE AS LONG AS HIS BODY,

HE SNIFFS OUT HIS NEXT MEAL.

♪

\h\hAND HIS NEEDLE-LIKE BEAK CAN INFLICT A PAINFUL STING.

♪

♪

\hONCE A TASTY MEAL HAS BEEN TARGETED...

♪

THE SILENT ASSASSIN GRABS HOLD.

TINY HAIRS ON HIS LEGS OFFER A VISE-LIKE GRIP.

ONCE HE FINDS A SOFT SPOT,

\hHE STABS HIS BLADE-LIKE PROBOSCIS INTO HIS VICTIM.

\h\h\hWITHIN SECONDS, THE PREY IS PARALYZED

\h\hAND ITS INSIDES BEGIN TO DISSOLVE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE PROBOSCIS PIERCES THE VICTIM’S GUT,

\h\h\hINJECTING A LETHAL COCKTAIL OF ENZYMES AND DIGESTIVE JUICES.

THIS VENOMOUS SALIVA DESTROYS \h\h\hEVERYTHING IN ITS PATH,

TURNING THE CELLS INTO SOUP.

ONCE THE BUG PUREE IS READY,

THE ASSASSIN SLURPS IT ALL UP, BACK THROUGH HIS DEADLY STRAW.

[SLURPING]

MOST BUGS THAT FEED THIS WAY \h\hHAVE TWO SEPARATE TUBES:

ONE FOR INJECTING

AND ONE FOR SUCKING.

BUT THE ASSASSIN’S BEAK ACTS AS BOTH SYRINGE AND SIPHON,

\h\hWHICH ALLOWS IT TO TARGET LARGE PREY TWICE ITS OWN SIZE.

AND IT WON’T THINK TWICE

ABOUT JABBING A HUMAN HAND \h\h\hTHAT GETS IN THE WAY.

FROM ASSASSINS WHO FLY SOLO

AND MONSTERS YOU CAN’T OUTRUN,

WE NOW MOVE TO THE KILLER ANTS,

WHO WORK TOGETHER AS ONE.

\h\h\h\h\h\hAFRICA IS HOME TO MANY DEADLY PREDATORS,

BOTH LARGE AND SMALL.

\hTHIS RIVER OF BODIES AND SHARP SERRATED JAWS

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS MADE UP OF OVER 50 MILLION ANTS...

THE LARGEST ANT COLONY \h\h\h\h\hIN THE WORLD.

THESE ARE THE DRIVER ANTS.

FROM THE HUNTERS AND GATHERERS,

\h\hTO THE BUILDERS AND THE ARCHITECTS,

EVERY SINGLE ANT HAS ITS PLACE

IN THIS SUPER ORGANIZED \h\h\h\hSUPER-ORGANISM.

\h\h\h\h\hBUT THE LARGEST AND SCARIEST OF THEM ALL

ARE THE SOLDIER ANTS.

STANDING OVER AN INCH LONG,

THEY GUARD THE COLONY \h\h\hWITH THEIR LIFE

AND THEIR ENORMOUS JAWS.

THESE POWERFUL PINCERS CAN CRUSH, TEAR APART,

\h\h\h\h\hAND KILL ANYTHING THAT THREATENS THE COLONY.

ITS JAWS ARE SO STRONG

THAT THEY WILL MAINTAIN \h\h\hA VISE-LIKE GRIP

\h\h\h\h\hEVEN IF ITS BODY IS REMOVED FROM ITS HEAD.

\hLOCAL TRIBESMEN EVEN USE THE ANTS’ DECAPITATED HEADS

\h\h\hAS SURGICAL STAPLES TO CLOSE UP OPEN WOUNDS.

TO SURVIVE OUT HERE,

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE COLONY WORKS TOGETHER AS ONE.

THEY USE THEIR OWN BODIES TO BUILD INCREDIBLE STRUCTURES--

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hCOLUMNS TO FORM THE FOUNDATION FOR THEIR NESTS,

\h\h\h\h\hLIVING WALLS TO PROTECT THEIR QUEEN,

\hAND EVEN BRIDGES UP TO 40 FEET LONG

TO CROSS WATER.

AND THEY DO ALL OF THIS \h\h\h\h\hIN THE DARK.

THE ANTS ARE ALL BLIND.

THEY TALK TO EACH OTHER \h\hTHROUGH PHEROMONES,

\h\h\hPICKED UP WITH THEIR SUPER SENSITIVE ANTENNAE.

AND THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR.

IT’S TIME TO FEED.

IN JUST 24 HOURS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS BLACK WAVE STRIPS THE LIFE FROM AN AREA

AS BIG AS A FOOTBALL FIELD.

UP TO 100,000 VICTIMS \h\h\h\h\hIN ONE DAY.

\h\h\h\hBUT NOT ONLY THE SMALL FALL PREY TO THIS DEADLY SWARM.

THE KILLER ANTS WILL OVERPOWER \hWEAK MAMMALS AND EVEN BIRDS.

♪

THEIR VICTIMS ARE DISMEMBERED, \h\hTRANSPORTED, AND CONSUMED

BY THE MASSES.

♪

\h\h\hTHE KILLER ANTS LEAVE NOTHING BEHIND.

\h\hONCE THEY’VE EATEN EVERYTHING IN THE AREA,

IT’S TIME TO MOVE ON,

\h\hSO YOU’D BETTER GET OUT OF THE WAY.

♪

\h\h\h\hMONSTER BUGS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES,

\h\h\h\hAND IT’S TIME TO REVEAL THE GIANTS.

THIS SHAPESHIFTING GOLIATH

IS KNOWN AS THE TRANSFORMER.

IN THIS INDONESIAN JUNGLE,

A MIRACLE IS ABOUT TO UNFOLD RIGHT BEFORE YOUR VERY EYES.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHIS TINY EGG, NO BIGGER THAN A GRAIN OF RICE,

\hWILL GIVE RISE TO ONE OF THE LARGEST INSECTS ON THE PLANET,

THE ATLAS MOTH.

BUT IN ORDER FOR IT TO REACH \h\h\hMONSTROUS PROPORTIONS,

HE NEEDS TO EAT.

\h\h\hAND FOR THE FIRST SIX WEEKS OF HIS LIFE,

THAT IS ALL HE DOES.

\h\h\h\h\hIT’S NOT LONG BEFORE HE’S TOO BIG FOR HIS OWN SKIN.

HIS GOOEY INSIDES BULGE,

AND HIS OLD BODYSUIT POPS OPEN

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO ALLOW THE CATERPILLAR TO GROW.

\hHIS LARGE FLESHY SPIKES COATED IN AN ITCHY POWDER

HELP DETER ANY HUNGRY ONLOOKERS.

HE WILL SHED HIS SKIN FOUR TIMES

AS HE GROWS FATTER AND FATTER.

AND NOTHING GOES TO WASTE.

\h\h\h\h\hTHIS GLUTTON CONTINUES TO BINGE-EAT

UNTIL HE’S THE SIZE OF A PORK SAUSAGE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND THEN, IT’S TIME FOR HIS MAKEOVER.

\h\hTHE CATERPILLAR STARTS TO CONSTRUCT

HIS OWN SILK CHANGING ROOM.

IT IS BEHIND THIS SILKY CURTAIN

THAT THE MAGIC HAPPENS.

♪

WHILE HIS OUTER SKIN HARDENS \h\hINTO A PROTECTIVE SHELL,

THE TRANSFORMER’S \hINSIDES LIQUEFY

AS HIS NEW BODY PARTS DEVELOP.

♪

IT’S A FULL BODY MAKEOVER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hONE MONTH LATER, IT’S TIME FOR THE BIG REVEAL.

♪

♪

HE PUMPS AIR AND BLOOD \h\h\h\hINTO HIS WINGS

TO EXPAND AND HARDEN THEM.

♪

\h\hWITH A WINGSPAN OF OVER 12 INCHES,

IT TRULY IS A MONSTER MOTH.

♪

THIS ONCE FAT UGLY DUCKLING \hIS NOW A MOSAIC OF COLOR,

AND IT’S NOT JUST FOR SHOW.

THE TIPS OF THE MOTH’S WINGS RESEMBLE THE FACE OF A COBRA.

WHEN THREATENED BY PREDATORS,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE TRANSFORMER WILL IMITATE THIS DEADLY SNAKE

BY MOVING ITS WINGS \h\hBACK AND FORTH.

\h\h\h\hDESPITE THIS ELABORATE AND MIRACULOUS TRANSFORMATION,

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE ADULT ATLAS MOTH HAS LITTLE OVER A WEEK TO LIVE.

\h\h\h\hWITH NO MOUTH HE IS UNABLE TO FEED,

\hSO HIS ONLY GOAL IS TO FIND A MATE

AND CONTINUE HIS LEGACY.

♪

WHILE THE TRANSFORMER MIGHT BE THE BIGGEST,

\h\h\hWE’RE ABOUT TO MEET THE STRONGEST MONSTER BUG

ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET.

THIS IS THE HERCULES BEETLE.

[ROARING]

THIS TROPICAL RAINFOREST \h\h\hOF CENTRAL AMERICA

PROVIDES THE PERFECT COVER \h\h\h\hFOR OUR NEXT GIANT.

AMONGST THE DECAY OF LEAVES AND THE ROT OF FALLEN TREES,

IT’S THE DISGUSTING GRUB \h\hOF A HERCULES BEETLE.

THIS MONSTROUS LARVA ALREADY WEIGHS AS MUCH AS AN APPLE.

AND HE’S BULKING UP TO BECOME

THE BIGGEST, STRONGEST BEETLE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THE WORLD.

\h\h\hAS A GRUB HE HAS LIVED UNDERGROUND FOR OVER A YEAR

WHILE GORGING HIMSELF \h\h\hON ROTTING WOOD,

GETTING BIGGER AND BIGGER.

TINY HAIRS ALL OVER HIS BODY

HELP HIM TO PULL HIS BULK \h\hTHROUGH THE WET SOIL,

ALWAYS SEARCHING FOR MORE FOOD.

ONCE HE’S THE SIZE OF A TWINKIE,

HE DISAPPEARS UNDERGROUND

TO BEGIN AN INCREDIBLE \h\h\h\hTRANSFORMATION.

THREE WEEKS LATER,

OUR BULGING GRUB HAS TRANSFORMED INTO A MONSTROUS BEAST.

\h\h\h\h\hITS NEW LIMBS ARE HOOKED WITH CLAWS.

IT’S ONCE SOFT FLESH

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIS NOW COATED IN INDESTRUCTIBLE BODY ARMOR.

\h\h\hAND IT’S ARMED WITH A GIGANTIC CRUSHING HORN.

♪

THIS IS THE HERCULES BEETLE.

\h\hHIS NEW BODY REACHES OVER 7 INCHES IN LENGTH,

AND IT IS THE STRONGEST INSECT \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hON THE PLANET,

ABLE TO CARRY UP TO 850 TIMES \h\h\h\h\h\h\hHIS OWN WEIGHT.

THAT’S THE EQUIVALENT OF A HUMAN LIFTING NINE ELEPHANTS.

\h\h\h\hYET THIS GIANT IS A STRICT VEGETARIAN.

THIS DELICIOUS ROTTING FRUIT \h\h\h\h\hWILL DO THE TRICK.

YET IT APPEARS ANOTHER MALE \h\hALSO HAS A SWEET TOOTH.

♪

\hTHEIR GIGANTIC HORNS ONLY HAVE ONE PURPOSE:

TO FIGHT EACH OTHER.

\h\hAND THIS FEAST IS WORTH DEFENDING.

♪

THE WINNER WILL BE THE FIRST ONE TO FLIP HIS OPPONENT.

♪

♪

\h\h\h\hTHE CHALLENGER DOESN’T STAND A CHANCE

AGAINST OUR HERCULES.

♪

VICTORIOUS,

OUR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION \h\hRETURNS TO HIS FEAST.

BUT THE INTRUDER WILL HAVE TO \h\h\hTRY HIS LUCK ELSEWHERE.

THIS GIANT VEGETARIAN MAY HAVE SIZE AND STRENGTH ON ITS SIDE,

BUT OUR NEXT FREAK USES SPEED, \h\h\h\hAGGRESSION, AND VENOM

TO FEAST ON FLESH.

THIS IS THE NIGHTCRAWLER.

THE DARK AMAZON JUNGLE

IS HOME TO THE BIGGEST, \h\h\h\h\h\hDEADLIEST,

AND MOST ILL-TEMPERED CREEPY CRAWLY AROUND.

♪

THIS IS THE CENTIPEDE.

♪

\h\hAN UNDULATING WAVE OF POINTY, CLAWED LEGS

SENDS CHILLS UP YOUR SPINE.

ADD TO THAT THE FACT THAT IT IS CARNIVOROUS AND VENOMOUS,

AND YOU’VE GOT A HORRIFYING \h\h\h\hBEAST ON YOUR HANDS.

♪

ITS LAST PAIR OF EXTRA LONG LEGS ACTS LIKE SPIKY PINCERS

\h\h\h\h\h\hTO GRAB ANYTHING THAT APPROACHES FROM BEHIND.

\h\hBUT IT’S THE FRONT PAIR OF MODIFIED LEGS THAT ARE LETHAL.

TWO ENORMOUS HYPODERMIC FANGS FILLED WITH PARALYZING VENOM.

♪

\hBUT THIS TERRIFYING ASSASSIN IS DWARFED BY A BIGGER BROTHER.

THIS IS THE GIANT CENTIPEDE.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIT CAN GROW TO THE LENGTH OF YOUR FOREARM,

WHICH ALLOWS THIS HEAVYWEIGHT

\h\hTO CAPTURE PREY TWICE ITS OWN SIZE,

EVEN IF IT FLIES.

\h\h\hWHEN NIGHT FALLS IN THE AMAZON JUNGLE,

THINGS GO FROM TROPICAL...

TO TERRIBLE.

♪

THE NIGHTCRAWLER IS ON THE HUNT.

♪

HE IS NOT INTERESTED

IN THE BEETLES AND COCKROACHES \h\h\h\h\h\hON THE CAVE FLOOR.

\h\h\hHE HAS A MUCH LARGER MEAL IN MIND.

♪

IT’S PITCH BLACK,

BUT THE NIGHTCRAWLER IS USED \h\hTO HUNTING IN THE DARK.

♪

IT’S BLIND AS A BAT

AND USES ITS FEELERS TO PICK UP THE SCENT AND MOVEMENT

OF POTENTIAL PREY.

♪

MANY FEET MAKE LIGHT WORK \h\h\h\hOF THE CAVE WALLS.

♪

[BATS SQUEAKING]

THE BATS SENSE DANGER...

AND TRY TO ESCAPE.

BUT THE NIGHTCRAWLER IS WAITING.

♪

HE SNAGS ONE OUT OF MIDAIR.

WITH THE STRENGTH OF A SMALL SNAKE,

HE WRAPS UP HIS PREY.

HIS HUGE FANGS SINK IN,

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hRELEASING VENOM TO QUICKLY PARALYZE THE BAT,

WHILE THE GIANT CENTIPEDE BEGINS TO SHEAR OFF PIECES OF MEAT,

DEVOURING THE BAT ALIVE.

IT EATS ALL THE BAT’S FLESH,

DOUBLING ITS OWN WEIGHT \h\h\h\hIN THE PROCESS.

♪

OVER 400 MILLION YEARS \h\h\h\h\hOF EVOLUTION

HAS TURNED THE NIGHTCRAWLER

\hINTO A SPECIALIST CLIFFHANGING HUNTER.

\h\h\h\h\hAND THERE’S NO TELLING WHAT PREY IT WILL GO AFTER NEXT.

OUR COLLECTION OF FREAKS

\h\h\h\h\hHAS MANY WEIRD AND WONDERFUL ABILITIES,

FROM LIQUEFYING SPIT

AND STRENGTH IN NUMBERS,

TO THE SHAPESHIFTERS

AND THE BODY SNATCHERS,

FROM THE DIGGERS AND CLIMBERS

TO THE ASSASSINS AND SQUIRTERS.

SO NEXT TIME YOU FIND A BUG,

BE CAREFUL NOT TO CRUSH IT,

\h\h\h\hAS IT MAY BELONG IN OUR HOUSE OF HORRORS,

HOME TO NATURE’S REAL FREAK SHOW.

[SLAM]