Original subtitles

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hNarrator: IN THE WATERY UNDERWORLD

\h\h\h\hLURK MANY BIZARRE AND REMARKABLE CREATURES.

A WORLD OF SCALES AND GILLS \h\h\h\h\h\hCOME TO LIFE...

\hIN A WAY YOU’VE NEVER SEEN BEFORE.

\h\h\h\hTHEY COMMANDEER COLORFUL CORAL REEFS...

WRESTLE IN SQUELCHING \h\h\h\h\hMUD PITS...

RULE THE OPEN OCEAN...

AND LIGHT UP THE DARKEST CAVES.

♪

OVER 500 MILLION YEARS \h\h\h\h\hOF EVOLUTION

HAS ENSURED A COLLECTION OF EXTREME ADAPTATIONS.

FROM MONSTER MOUTHS \hTHAT EAT NEEDLES,

TO OUTSIDERS THAT BREATHE AIR.

\h\h\h\h\h\hSOME SWIM FASTER THAN YOU BLINK YOUR EYES...

WHILE OTHERS PREFER TO WALK.

AND ONE MONSTER FISH THAT RULES THEM ALL,

WITH THE SIZE AND STRENGTH TO FEAST ON DANGEROUS STINGRAYS!

FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, GRAB FRONT ROW SEATS

\h\h\h\h\hTO NATURE’S UNDERWATER FREAK SHOW!

[SCREAM]

[THUNDER]

COME OUT OF THE COLD... \h\hAND SINK UNDERWATER.

Man: CRAZY MONSTER FISH!

Narrator: GAWK AT BEASTS \hWITH SCALES AND SLIME

IN THE BRINY DEPTHS \h\h\hOF THE OCEAN.

\hA WORLD OF FINS AND FASCINATION...

\h\h\hTHERE’S THE PREDATOR WITH A SUPERSIZED BITE...

\h\h\hAND AN EEL-LIKE FISH WITH TEETH IN ITS THROAT!

ONE MUTANT CRAWLS ON LAND...

♪ CRAZY MONSTER FISH ♪

WHILE ANOTHER HITCHES A RIDE... ANYWHERE.

BUT FIRST WE MEET \hA BOTTOM FEEDER

THAT OOZES SNOT BALLS!

[SHRIEKS]

♪ CRAZY MONSTER FISH! ♪

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE OCEAN

DWELLS A BIZARRE-LOOKING \h\h\h\h\h\h\hCREATURE.

A FISH SO ANCIENT,

IT HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED \h\hFOR 300 MILLION YEARS.

THIS IS THE HAGFISH.

ITS VELVET-SMOOTH SKIN \h\h\h\h\hLACKS SCALES

\h\h\h\h\hAND SLITHERS ALONG THE OCEAN FLOOR.

IT HAS A SKULL, BUT NO SPINE.

TINY HOLES RUN ALONG THE SIDES \h\h\h\hOF ITS WRIGGLING BODY.

SOME FOR BREATHING... AND SOME FOR SLIMING.

BUT ITS MOST BIZARRE FEATURE \h\h\h\h\h\hIS ITS MOUTH...

\h\h\h\hLIKE SOMETHING OUT OF AN ALIEN MOVIE.

[SPOOKY MUSIC PLAYING]

♪

\h\h\hTHIS JAWLESS MAW IS MADE FOR MINCING UP DEAD BODIES...

\hMULTIPLE ROWS OF SHARP TEETH ARE PACKED ON TWO BONY PLATES.

THEY WORK LIKE A WOOD CHIPPER.

[CRUNCHING]

♪

ITS EYESPOTS CAN DISTINGUISH \h\h\hLIGHT, BUT NO PICTURE.

\h\h\h\hIT RELIES ON SMELL TO SEEK OUT ITS NEXT MEAL.

WITH ITS SINGLE NOSTRIL

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIT PICKS UP THE SWEET SCENT OF DEATH.

A FEAST HAS ARRIVED!

♪

IT HAS NO FINS,

\h\h\hBUT ITS PADDLE-LIKE TAIL MAKES LIGHT WORK OF SWIMMING.

♪

\h\hTHE HAGFISH LATCHES ON, AND ITS MOUTH GOES TO WORK.

♪

FLESH IS RIPPED FROM THE CARCASS

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAND SHOVED DOWN ITS TOOTHY THROAT.

\h\h\h\h\hSOON IT’S A FRENZY OF MULTIPLE MINCING MOUTHS.

\h\h\hAND TO KEEP OTHER HUNGRY ONLOOKERS AT BAY,

\h\hTHE HAGFISH EXCRETE COPIOUS AMOUNTS OF SLIME

INTO THE WATER.

♪

A SHYSHARK SNATCHES ONE,

BUT ENDS UP WITH A MOUTHFUL \h\h\h\h\h\hOF SNOT INSTEAD.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hIN MINUTES THE HAGFISH WILL STRIP THE CARCASS TO BONE.

♪

IT MAY BE MONTHS BEFORE THEY FIND ANOTHER MEAL LIKE THIS.

THEN AGAIN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN DEATH LURKS AROUND THE CORNER.

\h\hWHILE THE HAGFISH SQUIRM IN SLIME ON THE OCEAN FLOOR,

OUR NEXT CRAZY FISH

HAS A MORE DASHING APPROACH \h\h\h\h\hTO GETTING AROUND.

IT’S THE SPEED FREAK!

♪ CRAZY MONSTER FISH! ♪

\h\hTHE OPEN OCEAN IS A VAST SPACE...

\h\h\hAN EMPTY RUNWAY FOR RACING SWIMMERS...

AND A RALLY OF ATLANTIC SAILFISH IS ON PATROL.

\h\h\h\hWITH BODIES STREAMLINED LIKE HIGH PERFORMANCE RACE CARS,

THESE SUPER ATHLETES ARE BUILT FOR SPEED.

\h\h\hTO REDUCE DRAG, FINS FOLD INTO SLOTS.

A SHARP BILL PIERCES \h\h\hTHROUGH WATER,

\hWHILE A POINTY MOUTH FITS INTO THE FISH’S SLIM SHAPE.

\hTHE SPEED FREAK COMES WITH PREMIUM BODY PAINT

IN VARIOUS METALLIC SHEENS

AND THE ABILITY TO CHANGE COLOR!

♪

AND THE FINISHING TOUCH-- \h\hAN IMPRESSIVE SPOILER.

AN OVERSIZED AND RETRACTABLE \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hDORSAL FIN.

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHEY HAVE GATHERED AT THIS PIT STOP TO FILL UP...

ON SARDINES!

♪

\hTHEY SHIFT GEAR INTO HUNTING MODE.

\h\hUSING FLASHES OF COLOR AND DEPLOYING THEIR DORSAL SAILS,

THEY COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND HERD THE BAIT BALL.

WITH EXPERT PRECISION \hTHEY USE THEIR BILLS

TO SEPARATE AND STUN UNLUCKY INDIVIDUALS.

THIS IS NOT A FREE-FOR-ALL.

EVERY SAILFISH GETS HIS TURN.

♪

\h\hBUT HUNTING AT SPEEDS OF UP TO 50 MILES AN HOUR

CAN TURN THINGS INTO A BLUR.

SO HOW DOES THIS SPEEDY HUNTER KEEP ITS EYE ON THE BAIT BALL?

\h\hBETWEEN ITS EYES, JUST BELOW THE BRAIN,

IS A HIGHLY SPECIALIZED \h\h\h\hHEATING SYSTEM:

AN EYEBALL WARMER.

HERE, BLOOD WARMS UP \hTHE EYES AND BRAIN

\h\h\h\h\h\hTO 60 DEGREES ABOVE THE AMBIENT WATER TEMPERATURES.

THE RESULT?

THE ABILITY TO FOLLOW \h\h\h\h\hRAPID MOTION

DESPITE THE COLD WATER \h\hAND CRAZY SPEEDS.

♪

THIS SUPER VISION TURNS \h\hA SILVER FISHY BLUR

INTO A SUPER HD SLO-MO PICTURE.

♪

♪

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHE SAILFISH DESTROY THE ENTIRE BAIT BALL IN MINUTES,

DOWN TO THE LAST SARDINE.

\h\h\h\hALL THAT’S LEFT IS A SHIMMERING REMINDER

THAT IN THE WATERY UNDERWORLD,

OUR SCALY BEASTS ARE PERFECTLY ADAPTED FOR THEIR WAY OF LIFE.

AND YOU WON’T BELIEVE THE LOOK \h\hOF OUR NEXT FISHY MISFIT.

IN THE SANDY GULLIES \hOF THE ROCKY REEF

IS A COLLECTION OF RIGID FREAKS

THAT RESEMBLE KNIFE BLADES \hMORE THAN THEY DO FISH.

♪

♪

\h\hTHESE SWITCHBLADES ARE CALLED RAZORFISH.

THEIR INCREDIBLY THIN BODIES \hIMITATE STRIPS OF SEAWEED.

THEY MIMIC THE PLANTS

\h\h\h\hBY DANCING ALONG WITH THE OCEAN’S SURGE.

♪

INSTEAD OF SCALES,

HARD BODY PLATES COVER \hTHEIR FLAT PHYSIQUE.

THEIR BODIES CANNOT BEND.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIN CONTRAST, THEIR FINS ARE SOFT AS SILK

AND FLEXIBLE IN ALL DIRECTIONS.

\hGOOD FOR A QUICK CHANGE OF COURSE.

\h\h\h\hFOR DEFENSE, A SHARP JOINTED BARB

CAN INFLICT PAIN ON PREDATORS DESPERATE FOR A CRUNCHY MEAL.

♪

AND FOR ADDED SAFETY,

\hTHE SWITCHBLADES TRAVEL IN NUMBERS.

\h\h\h\hTHEY’RE HEADING FOR THE FEEDING GROUNDS.

♪

\h\h\hTHE RAZORFISH ARE PERMANENTLY UPSIDE DOWN,

\hMAKING IT EASY TO ACCESS THEIR CRUSTACEOUS SNACKS.

THEY DON’T HAVE TEETH.

THEIR FLUTED MOUTHS GAPE OPEN

AND WITH LIGHTNING-FAST SUCTION SWALLOW UP THEIR PREY.

♪

\h\h\h\hBUT DINNER HAS LEFT THEM DISTRACTED FROM LURKING DANGER.

♪

IN A SANDY GULLY OF A REEF,

A SCHOOL OF RAZORFISH \h\hARE BEING STALKED.

♪

THEY CAN SEE IN COLOR,

\h\h\hBUT THE CUTTLEFISH IS A MASTER OF DISGUISE.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

\hWHILE MOVING IN A GROUP OFFERS SOME PROTECTION...

\h\h\hTHERE IS ALWAYS ONE UNLUCKY RAZORFISH

\hTHAT HAS TO TEETER ON THE KNIFE’S EDGE.

[CRUNCHING]

FROM LIGHTNING-FAST HUNTERS \h\h\hAND PAPER-THIN FREAKS,

\h\h\h\h\hOUR NEXT STOP IS THE GRUMPIEST FISH AROUND.

♪

SPEED FREAKS AND SWITCHBLADES \hAND FISH WHO FEED OFF DEATH.

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET FREAKIER,

WITH A TEMPERAMENTAL MUTANT \h\hWITH A SUPERSIZED BITE--

THE BIG GRUMP!

♪ MONSTER FISH! ♪

♪

OFF THE COAST OF CALIFORNIA, \hJUST BEYOND THE BREAKERS,

\h\h\h\hLIVES A FOOT-LONG FREAK WITH NO TIME FOR HIS NEIGHBORS.

THE SARCASTIC FRINGEHEAD.

IN GREEK, THE TERM "SARCASM" \h\h\hMEANS "TO TEAR FLESH."

HE MAKES HIS HOME

\hIN EMPTY CLAMSHELLS OR ABANDONED BURROWS.

\h\hLIKE A GRUMPY OLD MAN, HE GUARDS HIS FRONT DOOR.

PASSERSBY GET A WARNING \h\h\h\hTO STEER CLEAR!

\h\h\hOVERSIZED JAWS FEATURE EXTRA JOINTS

THAT ALLOW THIS GOB \hTO OPEN SUPER WIDE

IN A DISPLAY OF AGGRESSION.

AND THE BIGGER THE MOUTH, \h\h\hTHE BIGGER THE FISH.

WHEN HE OUTGROWS HIS HOME, \h\hHE GOES HOUSE HUNTING.

IF HE FINDS A SPOT HE LIKES,

HE WILL DUEL THE CURRENT RESIDENT FOR OWNERSHIP.

POOR EYESIGHT MEANS \h\hTHE GRUMPY FISH

\h\hWON’T KNOW WHO’S BIGGER UNTIL THEIR LIPS ARE LOCKED.

♪

\h\h\h\h\hTHERE’S NO ROOM FOR FRIENDLY NEGOTIATIONS.

♪

THEIR LONG UNBROKEN FINS \hAID IN QUICK MOVEMENTS

DURING MOUTH-WRESTLING.

\hAS THE WINNER CLAIMS HIS PRIZE AND THE LOSER IS LEFT HOMELESS,

THIS WAR IS OVER, FOR NOW.

\hBUT WHILE SOME FISH ARE FEARLESS FIGHTERS,

OTHERS ARE LIMBER LOVERS.

♪

NOTHING ABOUT THIS ODDBALL’S \h\hAPPEARANCE SAYS "FISH."

THE SEAHORSE’S SCIENTIFIC NAME

\h\h\h\h\hLITERALLY MEANS "HORSE-LIKE SEA MONSTER."

♪

♪

THEY DON’T HAVE SCALES.

INSTEAD, SKIN STRETCHES \h\h\hOVER BONY PLATES.

\hA SMALL DORSAL FIN BEATS UP TO 70 TIMES PER SECOND

TO PROPEL HIM FORWARDS,

\h\h\h\h\h\hWHILE TWO FINS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE HEAD

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSTEER HIM IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.

A PREHENSILE TAIL HOLDS ON \h\hTO TUFTS OF SEAGRASS,

WHICH HELPS WHEN YOU’RE NOT \h\h\h\h\hA STRONG SWIMMER.

♪

\hSEAHORSES HAVE GREAT EYESIGHT, AND THE EYES WORK INDEPENDENTLY.

\h\h\h\h\hTHEY CAN LOOK FORWARDS AND BACKWARDS AT THE SAME TIME,

A HANDY TRICK WHEN YOU’RE \h\h\h\hLOOKING FOR FOOD.

♪

A LONG SNOUT ENDS IN A MOUTH

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTHAT WORKS LIKE A VACUUM CLEANER...

PERFECT FOR SUCKING UP \h\hMINISCULE SHRIMP.

♪

THEY DON’T HAVE TEETH \h\h\h\h\hFOR CHEWING,

SO THE FOOD IS DISINTEGRATED WITH THE HOOVER-LIKE MOUTH.

♪

THEY HAVE MONSTROUS APPETITES

AND EAT UP TO 3,000 PIECES \h\h\h\hOF FOOD IN A DAY!

♪

\h\h\h\h\hTHEY MAKE A SOUND NOTHING LIKE A NORMAL HORSE.

[SMACKING]

MORE LIKE LIP-SMACKING.

\h\hTHEY DO THIS WHILE FEEDING AND DURING COURTSHIP RITUALS.

\h\h\h\hTHEY ARE MONOGAMOUS; SOME SPECIES MATE FOR LIFE.

THIS PARTNERSHIP CONTAINS \h\h\h\h\hDAILY GREETINGS,

AND WHEN THE TIME IS RIGHT, \h\h\h\h\hA ROMANTIC SALSA.

[SALSA MUSIC PLAYING]

♪

THEY GREET EACH OTHER

\h\h\h\hAS A WAY TO CONFIRM THEY ARE BOTH STILL ALIVE...

\h\h\h\hAND TO SYNCHRONIZE THEIR REPRODUCTIVE CYCLES.

♪

THE FEMALE WILL PLACE HER EGGS

\h\h\hIN THE MALE’S KANGAROO-LIKE POUCH,

WHERE HE WILL FERTILIZE THEM \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hINTERNALLY.

♪

AND AFTER ABOUT TWO WEEKS, \h\h\h\hOUT POPS THE FRY!

♪

CONTRACTIONS CAN LAST \h\h\hUP TO 12 HOURS!

♪

\h\h\h\hA MALE CAN GIVE BIRTH TO OVER 2,000 BABY SEAHORSES!

\h\h\h\hONE IN A THOUSAND WILL MAKE IT TO ADULTHOOD.

♪

NOT GREAT ODDS FOR THESE \h\hLITTLE SEA MONSTERS.

♪

WHILE THE SEAHORSE \h\hCAN CHA-CHA...

OUR NEXT FISHY FREAK \h\hCAN HARDLY SWIM.

♪ FISH! ♪

IT’S THE FROGFISH!

♪

\h\h\h\h\h\hCORAL REEFS ARE COLORFUL RETREATS...

\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hHOME TO MANY BIZARRE-LOOKING CHARACTERS.

SOMEWHERE ON THIS PATCH \h\h\h\h\h\hOF PARADISE

IS A CREATURE SO STRANGE,

\hYOU’D HARDLY THINK IT’S A FISH AT ALL.

AND YOU CAN’T EVEN SEE IT.

\h\h\h\hTHE FROGFISH IS A MASTER OF CAMOUFLAGE.

HE STAYS STILL FOR LONG PERIODS.

HIS MOUTH IS ADAPTED TO PUMP \h\hWATER THROUGH HIS GILLS,

PLACED BEHIND HIS PECTORAL FINS,

WHICH, ODDLY, RESEMBLE FEET!

HIS SCALES ARE HIGHLY MODIFIED.

\h\h\hTHROUGH TEXTURE AND COLOR MANIPULATION

\h\h\hHE LOOKS JUST LIKE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON CREATURES

FOUND ON A REEF...

A SPONGE.

♪

NATURALLY, NOT ALL SPONGES \h\h\h\h\h\hLOOK THE SAME.

SO, EACH FROGFISH IS ADAPTED

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO BLEND IN WITH HIS FAVORITE HIDEOUT.

THE FROGFISH SPENDS SO MUCH TIME HIDING OUT ON THE REEF

\h\h\h\hTHAT IT EVOLVED A RATHER PECULIAR WAY OF GETTING AROUND.

♪

\h\hAND WITH ALL THIS WALKING, HE HAS LOST HIS SWIM BLADDER--

THE GAS-FILLED SAC THAT HELPS \h\h\hKEEP OTHER FISH BUOYANT.

♪

AND ALL THIS TRICKERY \h\h\hTO GO UNDETECTED

IS NOT TO HIDE FROM PREDATORS...

BUT TO SNEAK UP ON PREY.

\h\h\hHIS MOUTH CAN OPEN UP TO 12 TIMES ITS USUAL SIZE.

PERFECT FOR GULPING ANYTHING \h\h\h\h\h\h\hFROM SHRIMP...

TO OTHER FROGFISH.

THE FISH SETS A BOOBY-TRAP.

\hTHE FIRST SPINE OF ITS DORSAL FIN

HAS EVOLVED INTO A FAKE LURE \h\hTO ATTRACT HIS VICTIMS.

IF THE LURE IS EATEN OR DAMAGED, THE FROGFISH CAN GROW ANOTHER.

♪

NOT ALL FROGFISH USE THIS TRICK.

\h\hFOR SOME, CAMOUFLAGE AND PATIENCE ARE ENOUGH.

THESE ANEMONEFISH HAVE NO IDEA \h\h\hWHAT’S WAITING FOR THEM.

♪

♪

THE FROGFISH’S TRICKERY \h\h\hSERVES HIM WELL...

\h\h\hAND YOU WON’T BELIEVE WHAT OUR NEXT CRAZY MONSTER FISH HAS

IN ITS BAG OF TRICKS.

EXTREME HABITATS IN THE OCEAN

CAN PUSH CREATURES TO DEVELOP \h\h\h\h\hBIZARRE ADAPTATIONS.

\h\h\h\h\hAND DEEP BELOW IN THE DARKEST OF CAVES,

SOME OF THESE ADAPTATIONS \h\h\h\h\h\hCOME TO LIGHT.

IT’S PITCH BLACK.

NO SUNLIGHT REACHES HERE.

YET, THERE IS LIFE!

♪

FLASHLIGHT FISH.

THESE FISH HAVE AN INGENIOUS WAY

\h\hOF LIGHTING THEIR PATH IN THIS DARK UNDERWORLD--

A BUILT-IN HEADLAMP.

♪

\h\hTHE LIGHT ISN’T GENERATED OR REFLECTED FROM THEIR EYES.

IT COMES FROM A KIDNEY-SHAPED \hORGAN KNOWN AS A PHOTOPHORE.

A REVERSE EYELID

\h\h\h\hEXPOSES OR COVERS THE LIGHT ORGAN AS NEEDED.

BUT THE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON.

\hAT A MICROSCOPIC LEVEL THE LIGHT ORGAN CONSISTS

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF MILLIONS OF BIOLUMINESCENT BACTERIA

THAT LIVE IN THIS SPECIALIZED \h\h\h\h\h\h\hPOCKET OF SKIN,

\h\hCRAMMED INTO TUBULES, WHICH CONCENTRATE THE LIGHT THEY EMIT.

THE PHOTOPHORE PRODUCES ENZYMES,

WHICH THE BACTERIA EAT TO POWER THEIR LIGHTS.

\h\h\h\hTHEY GET FOOD, THE FISH GETS LIGHT--

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hA PERFECT SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP.

THE LIGHT IN TURN ATTRACTS FOOD FOR OUR FLASHLIGHT TO FEED ON.

\h\h\h\h\h\hTHESE FISH FLASH SOME OF THE BRIGHTEST LIGHT

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAMONG ALL BIOLUMINESCENT SPECIES.

\h\h\h\hAND THEY USE A KIND OF MORSE CODE

TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER.

[MORSE CODE BEEPING]

\h\h\h\h\h\hIN THIS WORLD OF WINKING AND BLINKING...

YOU HAVE TO WORK HARD TO KEEP \h\h\hANY KIND OF LOW PROFILE.

BUT BETTER LIGHT YOUR WAY THAN GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT.

\hFROM DISCO LIGHTS AND SNOT SURPRISE...

\h\h\hTO GAPING MOUTHS AND UPSIDE DOWNERS...

WE NOW MEET A FISH WHO HAS \hEVOLVED TO LIVE ON LAND!

THE AIR BREATHER!

♪

IN ONE OF THE MOST EXTREME \h\h\hHABITATS ON EARTH...

\hA PLACE THAT SWITCHES BETWEEN DESERT AND FLOOD TWICE A DAY...

LIVES OUR NEXT FISHY FREAK.

[BIRDS CALLING]

IT’S THE MUDSKIPPER.

\h\hPRIME PROPERTY IS IN HIGH DEMAND.

\hBUT THIS MUDDY CONDO IS ALREADY OCCUPIED...

♪

BY A FISH THAT DEFIES ALL NORMAL DEFINITION.

[INSECT BUZZING]

UNLIKE OTHER FISH,

\h\hTHE MUDSKIPPER SPENDS MOST OF HIS TIME ON LAND.

AND EVEN BREATHES AIR!

A FISH OUT OF WATER!

\hENLARGED GILL CHAMBERS STORE AIR BUBBLES AND SEAL UP TIGHT,

\hCREATING AN AIR TANK FROM WHICH TO BREATHE.

HE TAKES UP OXYGEN \hTHROUGH HIS SKIN

\h\h\h\h\hAND THE LINING OF HIS MOUTH AND THROAT.

HE HAS TO REMAIN WET TO SURVIVE,

AND A REGULAR MUD BATH \hTAKES CARE OF THAT.

♪

HIS EYES ARE HUGE.

\h\hTHEY CAN MOVE INDEPENDENTLY, AND HE CAN EVEN SEE BEHIND HIM!

\hHIS VISION IS BETTER ON LAND THAN IN WATER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hPERFECT FOR SPOTTING DELICIOUS MUD-DWELLING MORSELS!

♪

WHEN YOU SPEND SO MUCH OF YOUR TIME ON LAND,

YOU HAVE LITTLE NEED \hFOR SWIMMING FINS.

HIS PECTORAL FINS PROPEL HIM \h\h\hFORWARD LIKE CRUTCHES,

COMPLETE WITH ELBOW JOINTS!

WHILE PELVIC FINS WORK LIKE A PERCH

TO KEEP HIM UPRIGHT \h\h\hWHEN HE STOPS.

♪

WALKING NOT FAST ENOUGH?

TRY FLYING!

A POWERFUL TAIL FLICKS HIM UP \h\h\hOVER 6 FEET IN THE AIR!

THIS FLICK-AND-FLY METHOD \h\h\h\h\hIS SO EFFECTIVE,

\hTHE MUDSKIPPERS USE IT INSTEAD OF SWIMMING TO CROSS THE WATER.

♪

♪

TO WIN THE ATTENTION \hOF THE FAIRER SEX,

HE NEEDS GOOD LOOKS \h\hAND A GOOD HOME.

\h\h\hHE FIERCELY DEFENDS HIS TERRITORY AGAINST RIVAL MALES.

♪

♪

TO SEAL THE DEAL WITH THE LADIES,

\h\h\h\hHE DISPLAYS HIS ERECT DORSAL FIN

AND SLAPS HIS TAIL IN THE MUD.

♪

SHE’S NOT INTERESTED,

AND OUR AIR BREATHER \h\hIS LEFT HIGH...

AND DRY.

BUT AT LEAST HE’S GOT \h\h\hSOME GOOD LOOKS,

\h\hUNLIKE OUR NEXT CRAZY MONSTER FISH!

\hWHILE SOME FISH LIKE TO WRESTLE IN THE MUD

\hAND OTHERS DANCE AND FLASH BRIGHT,

OUR NEXT MONSTER FISH \h\h\hIS NO DELIGHT...

THE WOLF EEL!

\h\h\hIN THE ROCKY REEF BELOW THE KELP FORESTS OF CALIFORNIA

LURKS A BEAST WITH A FACE \h\hFROM YOUR NIGHTMARES.

THE WOLF EEL.

THIS MONSTROSITY CAN GROW \h\h\h\hUP TO 8 FEET LONG!

\hBUT DESPITE ITS SHAPE, THIS IS NOT A TRUE EEL.

TINY SCALES EMBEDDED IN FLESH

\h\h\h\hGIVE THE FISH A SQUISHY APPEARANCE,

WHILE A LAYER OF SLIME \h\h\h\h\hPROTECTS IT

AGAINST CUTS FROM JAGGED ROCKS.

A LONG, FLAT BODY MEANS IT CAN SQUEEZE INTO NARROW CREVICES,

WAITING FOR ITS PREY...

TASTY, SPIKY SEA URCHINS!

♪

THE BULBOUS HEAD HOUSES \hLARGE JAWS AND MUSCLES

THAT MAKE MINCEMEAT

OUT OF EVEN THE HARDEST \hOF SHELLS AND SPIKES.

[CRUNCHING]

SHARP FRONT TEETH GRAB HOLD \h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF THE PREY...

[CRUNCHING]

WHILE FLAT MOLARS IN THE THROAT OF THE FISH CRUSH AND GRIND.

♪

\h\h\h\hTHE WOLF EEL IS NOT THE ONLY FISH

\h\h\hTHAT HAS DEVELOPED A BONE-CRUSHING PALATE.

\h\h\hPICTURESQUE BEACHES LINE EXOTIC COASTLINES...

BUT THE BRIGHT WHITE SAND

IS NOTHING MORE THAN \hCRUSHED SKELETONS

OF REEF-LIVING ORGANISMS.

AND OUR NEXT FISHY FREAK \hIS PARTLY RESPONSIBLE

FOR THESE DELIGHTFUL GRAVEYARDS.

INTRODUCING THE BEAK!

♪

PARROTFISH HAVE DEVELOPED \h\h\h\hA TASTE FOR CORAL.

\h\h\h\h\hAND WITH IT, THE ULTIMATE UTENSILS.

♪

ITS BEAK IS MADE OF FUSED TEETH.

THIS IS A FEMALE, IDENTIFIABLE \h\h\h\h\hBY HER RUBY RED HUE.

BUT IF THERE ARE NO MALES AROUND,

A DOMINANT FEMALE CAN TURN... \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hINTO A MALE...

AND CHANGE COLOR TO BRIGHT BLUE!

♪

[CRUNCH]

\h\hIT SPENDS ALL DAY GRAZING ON ALGAE GROWING ON THE REEF,

\h\h\h\h\hAND BITES DEEPER INTO THE ROCK-HARD CORALS.

TEETH IN ITS THROAT \h\hCRUSH THE BONE,

\hAND THE FISH DIGEST THE DELICIOUS ANIMALS

THAT MAKE UP THE LIVING \h\hSTRUCTURE OF REEFS.

BUT THE PARROTFISH CANNOT DIGEST

\h\h\hTHE SKELETONS OF THESE CREATURES.

\hAFTER THE CRUSHED BONE PASSES THROUGH ITS DIGESTIVE SYSTEM...

OUT COMES BEACH SAND!

[CRUNCH]

THE BEAK’S CRAZY TEETH \hNEVER STOP GROWING,

\hBUT GRAZING ON BONE KEEPS ITS PEARLY WHITES IN CHECK.

EATING BONE AND POOPING BEACH

ARE NOT THE ONLY FREAKY THINGS \h\h\h\hTHIS FISH GETS UP TO.

[WAVES CRASHING]

WHEN NIGHT FALLS, IT BUILDS ITS VERY OWN SLEEPING BAG...

FROM SNOT!

BY BELCHING OUT MUCUS \h\hTHROUGH ITS MOUTH,

\h\h\h\hTHE PARROTFISH CREATES A SLIMY COCOON AROUND ITSELF.

\hTHE GOOEY BLANKET HIDES HIS SCENT FROM PREDATORS,

ACTS AS AN EARLY WARNING SYSTEM AND KEEPS PARASITES AT BAY.

ALL FOR A PEACEFUL NIGHT’S \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hSLEEP.

AND WHILE THE PARROT \h\h\hSNOOZES AWAY,

THE HITCHHIKER AND HAMMER \h\h\h\hCOME OUT TO PLAY.

♪

OUT IN THE OPEN OCEAN,

\h\hWHERE SHIPS HAVE FOUND THEIR FINAL RESTING PLACE,

\h\h\h\h\h\hIS A FREAKY FISH THAT LIKES TO STICK AROUND.

THESE ARE REMORA FISH.

THEY’RE SUCKING ONTO THE STEEL \h\h\h\h\hOF THE SHIPWRECK...

\h\hBUT THIS WAS JUST A TEMPORARY STOP-OVER.

♪

\h\h\h\hTHEY’RE OFF TO GREENER PASTURES.

♪

\hTHIS STREAMLINED SUCKER HAS GIVEN UP THE STEERING FUNCTION

OF ITS DORSAL FIN.

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hAFTER ALL, YOU DON’T NEED TO STEER

IF YOU’RE CATCHING A RIDE.

AND THIS HITCHHIKER \h\h\hRIDES GIANTS.

♪

A BIZARRE SUCTION CUP \h\hON TOP OF ITS HEAD

LATCHES ON TO SHARKS AND RAYS.

THE FREE TRANSPORT COMES \h\h\hWITH AN EASY MEAL.

THE REMORA PICKS OFF MORSELS \h\h\hFROM THE HOST’S FOOD,

MINIMIZING EXPENDITURE \h\hOF ITS OWN ENERGY.

IT’S INGENIOUS.

THE "SUCTION CUP" IS ACTUALLY A HIGHLY MODIFIED DORSAL FIN.

THE EDGE OF THE DISK \h\hIS A FLESHY LIP

\h\h\hTHAT PROVIDES THE WATERTIGHT SEAL,

AND IN THE CENTER,

SLAT-LIKE BONES CALLED LAMELLAE FORM A SERIES OF ROWS

\h\h\h\hTHAT CAN PIVOT LIKE VENETIAN BLINDS.

\h\hEACH LAMELLA IS TIPPED WITH VELCRO-LIKE SPINULES

FOR EXTRA TRACTION.

\h\h\hTO ATTACH, THE LAMELLAE RIPPLE QUICKLY TO EXPEL WATER,

AND THEN COME ERECT TO CREATE \h\hA VACUUM BETWEEN EACH ROW.

NEGATIVE PRESSURE "SUCKS" THE REMORA ONTO ITS HOST,

WHILE THE TINY SPINULES \hCREATE ENOUGH FRICTION

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hTO OVERCOME DRAG WHEN THE SHARK SWIMS AT SPEED.

\h\h\hAND IT ALLOWS THE REMORA TO COME AND GO AS IT PLEASES.

BUT IT WILL SUCK IT TO THE HOST

FOR AS LONG AS IT’S SCORING \h\h\h\h\h\hOUT OF THE DEAL.

AND SOMETIMES THESE FREELOADERS HANG ON IN BUSLOADS!

BUT OUR FINAL CRAZY MONSTER FISH DOESN’T NEED A FREE RIDE.

FROM HITCHHIKERS AND SPEED FREAKS

\h\hTO AIR BREATHERS AND CORAL EATERS...

\h\h\h\h\h\h\hIT’S TIME TO MEET OUR ULTIMATE CRAZY MONSTER FISH,

AN EVOLUTIONARY MARVEL!

IT’S THE GREAT HAMMER!

IN THE DEEP BLUE CARIBBEAN SEAS LURKS A SEA MONSTER

THAT IS BIG, FAST AND BIZARRE...

WITH THE ODDEST-SHAPED HEAD \h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\h\hOF ALL.

♪

THE GREAT HAMMERHEAD.

♪

\h\hTHIS GIANT CAN REACH OVER 20 FEET IN LENGTH,

TIPPING THE SCALE \hOVER 900 POUNDS.

A BODY OF PURE MUSCLE PUMPS A GIGANTIC TAIL

THAT STEERS THE SHARK \h\hTHROUGH THE WATER.

\h\h\h\h\h\hITS TORPEDO BODY IS NOT ONLY BUILT FOR SPEED,

IT’S SUPER BENDY, TOO!

THE GREAT HAMMER CAN TURN \hSHARP CORNERS ON A DIME!

BUT ITS MOST BIZARRE FEATURE \hIS ITS ALIEN-LOOKING HEAD!

ITS HEAD HELPS TO STAY BALANCED WHILE SWIMMING,

\h\h\hBUT REALLY IT IS DESIGNED FOR HUNTING ON THE OCEAN FLOOR.

ITS GAPING MOUTH IS LINED WITH \hROWS OF RAZOR SHARP TEETH...

PERFECT FOR HOOKING \hINTO SOFT BODIES.

♪

EYES ON EITHER SIDE \h\h\hOF THE HAMMER

GIVE IT A VERTICAL \h360-DEGREE VIEW.

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL HE USES \h\h\h\h\h\hTO FIND PREY.

\h\h\hHIS HAMMER WORKS LIKE A METAL DETECTOR

SEARCHING FOR TREASURE \hHIDDEN IN THE SAND.

[PULSATING TONES]

IT IS LINED WITH SUPER SENSITIVE ELECTRORECEPTORS.

THESE SENSORY ORGANS ARE SO SHARPLY TUNED

\hTHAT THEY CAN PICK UP A HUMAN’S BEATING HEART

FROM MILES AWAY.

\h\h\h\h\h\hBUT THIS SHARK ISN’T LOOKING FOR PEOPLE.

IT’S LOOKING FOR STINGRAYS!

WHILE MANY OTHER PREDATORS \h\h\h\h\h\h\hARE PUT OFF

\h\hBY THE STINGRAY’S SHARP, VENOMOUS BARB,

\h\h\hIT DOESN’T DETER THE GREAT HAMMERHEAD!

ONE HAMMERHEAD WAS FOUND WITH 96 BARBS IMPALED IN ITS BODY,

\h\h\hWITHOUT SEEMING PARTICULARLY BOTHERED.

♪

HIS PREY IS BURIED IN THE SAND.

\hBUT THE RAY CAN’T HIDE FROM THE HAMMER’S POWER.

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

♪

[CRUNCH]

\hAS THE STINGRAY IS TORN TO PIECES,

\h\h\hTHE GREAT HAMMER REIGNS AS THE ULTIMATE MONSTER FISH.

♪

OUR COLLECTION OF FISHY FREAKS

\h\h\hHAS BROKEN OUT OF THE SCALY MOLD...

FROM OOZING SNOT BALLS \h\h\hTO CRUSHING JAWS

OR MUD WRESTLERS AND GAPING MAWS.

\h\hSOME USE LURES OR SAILS AND LIGHT

\h\hTO SUCK AND FLY OR FLASH AND BITE...

\h\h\h\hAND WE’VE JUST STARTED TO EXPLORE THIS WATERY REALM.

\h\hWHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE LURKS IN NATURE’S UNDERWATER FREAK SHOW?

[THUNDER]