Original subtitles

FOR THE WORLD'S UGLIEST ANIMALS.

TO FIND OUT WHY THEY LOOK THE WAY THEY DO,

WE'LL COME FACE TO FACE WITH FRIGHTFUL FISH,

NOSE TO NOSE WITH MONKEYS,

AND HEAD-ON WITH BEASTLY BIRDS

THAT ARE GRISLY GOURMETS.

WE'LL DISCOVER REPELLANT PIGS

WITH EYE-CATCHING FEATURES...

MEET A MYSTERIOUS MOLE...

AND PRIZE-WINNING BEASTLY BUGS.

WE'LL TRAVEL TO THE DEEP SEA,

TO MEET A HOST OF DEVILISH BOTTOM-DWELLERS...

AND FIND THE UGLIEST FACE --

ALL TO CELEBRATE THE SECRET BEAUTY

OF UGLINESS.

Narrator: OUR QUEST BEGINS IN THE SWAMPS

OF FLORIDA.

TURTLE EXPERT JOE WASILEWSKI

SEARCHES FOR A CREATURE THAT MANY PEOPLE THINK

IS ABSOLUTELY GROTESQUE.

THIS SWAMP MONSTER HAS POWERFUL JAWS

THAT CAN SNIP OFF A TOE.

YET THE WAY TO FIND ONE

IS TO FEEL IN THE MUD WITH YOUR BARE FEET.

Wasilewski: THREE RIDGES...

YEP!

AH!

THIS IS AN ALLIGATOR SNAPPING TURTLE.

THIS IS THE LARGEST FRESH-WATER TURTLE IN THE UNITED STATES.

THIS TURTLE HERE PROBABLY WEIGHS

WELL OVER A 100 POUNDS, AND THEY CAN GET TO BE

A RECORD OF ABOUT 300.

IF YOU'LL LOOK IN THAT MOUTH,

YOU'LL SEE SOMETHING THAT APPEARS LIKE A FISHING LURE.

Narrator: IN FACT, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS.

WHEN DEPLOYED, THE FLESHY PROTUBERANCE

WIGGLES LIKE A WORM TO DRAW IN HUNGRY FISH.

BIG TURTLES LIKE THIS --

OOPH! --

EAT ALMOST ANYTHING

SMALLER THAN THEMSELVES.

IN FACT, THEY'LL EVEN EAT OTHER TURTLES.

THEY LOVE FISH.

THESE POINTS, THEY'RE DESIGNED THAT IF THE TURTLE

MISSES THE FISH AND JUST GRABS A LITTLE PIECE OF IT,

THEY'LL HANG ON, KIND OF JUST LIKE A SPEAR.

Narrator: ONCE PREY IS LURED

WITHIN RANGE, ALLIGATOR SNAPPERS

SLAM THEIR MOUTHS SHUT.

I GUESS YOU COULD CALL THEM UGLY, GROTESQUE,

BUT I KIND OF THINK IT'S PRETTY.

OKAY, WELL,

I'D BETTER LET THIS GUY GO.

YOU HAVE A GOOD ONE --- GO AHEAD.

Narrator: SO, FEATURES THAT MANY OF US FIND UGLY

CAN PROVE TO BE VITAL.

THE TURTLE'S MOUTH MAY LOOK HIDEOUS,

BUT THOSE CAMOUFLAGED JAWS ARE CRUCIAL FOR THE TURTLE

IF IT'S TO HUNT SUCCESSFULLY.

COLD-BLOODED CREATURES AREN'T THE PIN-UPS

OF THE ANIMAL WORLD.

IT'S HARD TO SYMPATHIZE WITH SCALES,

UNBLINKING STARES, AND FLICKERING FORKED TONGUES...

OR WARM TO THE SLIMY LOOSE FOLDS OF SKIN

OF THE SOUTH AMERICAN BUDGETT'S FROG.

BUT THAT BAGGY SKIN HELPS THIS AMPHIBIAN

ABSORB TRACES OF OXYGEN FROM DWINDLING POOLS.

SO THEY HAVE THE LAST LAUGH.

BEFORE WE MEET MORE UGLIES,

WE NEED TO DEFINE BEAUTY.

[ BABY LAUGHING ]

HUMAN BABIES HAVE FEATURES

THAT NATURE HAS EFFECTIVELY PROGRAMMED US

TO FIND BEAUTIFUL.

THESE LOVELY SAUCER EYES,

LITTLE SNUB NOSE, AND TINY CHIN

ALL HELP TO MAKE US WANT

TO PROTECT AND LOVE OUR CHILDREN

WHEN THEY NEED US MOST.

THAT'S A CLUE TO WHY WE FIND

CREATURES LIKE CALIFORNIA SEA OTTERS SO CUTE.

THE BIG HEAD AND EYES,

THE LITTLE CHIN,

AND THAT INNOCENT EXPRESSION --

WE CAN'T HELP BUT RESPOND TO THEM

AS WE WOULD TO A CHILD.

BUT WE'RE A LOT HARDER ON ANIMALS

THAT DON'T CONFORM TO OUR IDEAL OF PHYSICAL PERFECTION.

TAKE THE PECULIAR SNOUT WE'RE HOPING TO UNEARTH

IN THE WOODS OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DR. KEN CATANIA

STUDIES A MOLE WITH A FACE THAT'S UNIQUE

IN THE WHOLE ANIMAL KINGDOM,

BUT FIRST HE HAS TO FIND ONE.

AND HE'S GOT A NOVEL WAY TO CATCH IT.

OH, THERE IT GOES.

OH, YEAH, THERE'S

A TUNNEL HERE FOR SURE.

I BET HE'S TRACKING IN THERE.

AND I'M THINKING, WHAT WE DO --

WE'LL SET UP A LITTLE TRAP AREA FOR HIM HERE

SO WE'LL KNOW HE'S COMING THROUGH

FROM WHEN THOSE STICKS MOVE.

I'LL JUST PUT THREE IN HERE,

MAKE SURE THAT HE CAN'T GET THROUGH.

Narrator: THESE STICKS BECOME BARS THAT BLOCK THE TUNNEL.

IF A STICK MOVES,

THEY'VE GOT SOMETHING.

HERE HE COMES.

ALL RIGHT, GO -- GET HIM, RIGHT THERE.

GOT HIM.

GREAT. NICE CATCH.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE GOT IN THERE.

LOOKS LIKE WE GOT A STAR-NOSED MOLE.

FANTASTIC.

WON'T NEED THE GLOVES FOR THIS GUY.

REALLY SMALL TEETH.

Narrator: THERE IT IS --

THE EXTRAORDINARY STAR-NOSED MOLE.

JUST FOUR TO FIVE INCHES LONG,

A LITTLE BUNDLE OF DIGGING ENERGY.

AND ONE OF THE STRANGEST NOSES IN NATURE.

KEN IS CATCHING MOLES AS PART OF HIS RESEARCH.

Catania: LET'S SEE HOW MUCH THIS GUY WEIGHS.

50 GRAMS.

SO HE'S A BIG MALE.

Narrator: HIS STUDIES ARE REVEALING

EXTRAORDINARY INFORMATION

ABOUT HOW THESE MOLES USE THEIR NOSES.

OKAY, LET'S LET HIM GO BACK

INTO HIS LITTLE BURROW HERE.

Narrator: WHAT IS THAT STRANGE STAR ALL ABOUT?

IT'S MADE UP OF 22 FLESHY TENTACLES,

ALL SUPER-SENSITIVE TO TOUCH.

IT MAY LOOK PECULIAR,

BUT IT'S THE CORNERSTONE

OF THIS MOLE'S SUCCESS.

THAT STAR ALLOWS IT TO HUNT 14 TIMES FASTER

THAN ANY OTHER MOLE.

AND THEY EAT A LOT.

THEY CAN CONSUME

THEIR OWN BODY WEIGHT

IN WORMS AND INSECTS

EVERY DAY.

WHEN A MEAL

DROPS INTO THEIR TUNNELS, IT'S SMELL

THAT FIRST ALERTS THE MOLE.

BUT UP CLOSE,

HE TURNS TO THOSE TOUCH-SENSITIVE TENTACLES.

EACH ONE CAN MOVE INDEPENDENTLY

TO GRASP THE WORM

AND THRUST IT INSIDE THE MOLE'S MOUTH.

A SEGMENT OF THE WORM

HAS BEEN MISSED.

BUT NOT FOR LONG.

HERE COMES THE SUPERSTAR!

IT'S EQUIPPED WITH OVER

160,000 TOUCH SENSORS

PER SQUARE INCH.

THE WORM HAS BEEN BURIED,

BUT THAT'S ONLY A MINOR SNAG

IF YOUR SNOUT'S EQUIPPED WITH A TOUCHY-FEELY ATTACHMENT.

HERE'S THE SEARCH, SLOWED DOWN 20 TIMES.

HE'S FOUND IT.

STAR-NOSED MOLES ARE RECORD-BREAKERS.

THEY'RE THE WORLD'S FASTEST EATERS,

CATCHING AND EATING PREY

IN UNDER A FIFTH OF A SECOND.

FROM WET WOODS IN PENNSYLVANIA

TO A RAINFOREST IN INDONESIA,

FOR A MAMMAL WITH SOME FACIAL ADORNMENTS

THAT ARE JUST AS BIZARRE.

[ RUMBLE ]

MEET THE BABIRUSA.

IT'S CALLED THE PIG-DEER

BY THE LOCAL PEOPLE IN SULAWESI,

AND YOU CAN SEE WHY.

BUT THOSE ARE TUSKS, NOT ANTLERS,

AND ONLY THE MALES HAVE THEM.

THEY MAY BE NATURE'S

MOST ECCENTRIC TEETH.

THE TUSKS PROTRUDING FROM THE LOWER JAW

ACTUALLY RESTRICT HOW FAR

THE PIG CAN OPEN ITS MOUTH TO FEED.

AND THOSE TOP TUSKS ARE EVEN WEIRDER.

THEY'VE GROWN FROM THE TOP JAW

RIGHT UP THROUGH THE SNOUT.

SOMETIMES BABIRUSA TEETH CAN GROW SO LONG

THAT THEY CURVE RIGHT AROUND INTO THE SKULL

AND KILL THE PIG.

BUT THESE ADORNMENTS DO HAVE A USE...

IN THE COURTSHIP SEASON.

MALES FIGHT WITH THEM,

AND BIG TUSKS MAKE A BOAR MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE

TO THE ADMIRING FEMALES.

THE BABIRUSA IS EASILY THE ODDEST-LOOKING PIG IN ASIA.

BUT AFRICA, TOO, HAS ITS SHARE OF ODDITIES.

THOUGH NOT ALL ANIMALS THAT CARRY WEAPONS

ARE CONSIDERED UGLY.

THESE NYALA ARE DAINTY ANTELOPE.

THE HORNLESS FEMALES,

WITH THEIR BIG LIQUID EYES,

ARE BEAUTIFUL.

THE MALES, WITH THEIR GRAND HORNS, ARE STATUESQUE.

FEW PEOPLE THINK RHINOS ARE CLASSICALLY BEAUTIFUL.

BUT EVEN THEIR LUGUBRIOUS LOOKS

PALE IN COMPARISON TO THEIR WALLOW MATE.

MOST PEOPLE AGREE THAT THIS IS

THE UGLIEST MAMMAL IN AFRICA.

WARTHOG MOTHERS AND THEIR PIGLETS

OFTEN VISIT MUD HOLES.

THEY'RE ONE OF THE ONLY PIGS ACTIVE DURING THE DAY.

SO, LIKE THE RHINO, THEY NEED TO PROTECT THEIR SKIN

FROM THE FIERCE SUN.

AND PROTECTION IS PART OF THE REASON

FOR THAT STRANGE, DISPROPORTIONATE HEAD.

IT'S ROCK HARD, A HELMET

THAT EVEN A LEOPARD'S TEETH

CAN'T PENETRATE.

BUT IT HAS OTHER USES, TOO.

THE WARTHOG'S MUZZLE

IS SHAPED LIKE A SHOVEL

SO IT CAN TURN OVER HARD EARTH FOR TASTY

BULBS AND ROOTS, BUT THEY OFTEN HAVE TO GET

DOWN ON THEIR KNEES TO SUPPORT THAT HEAVY ARMORED HEAD.

[ GRUNTING ]

NO ONE WOULD CALL WARTHOGS HANDSOME,

BUT TO ADD INJURY TO INSULT,

THIS ONE'S LOST AN EYE --

PROBABLY ESCAPING FROM A HUNGRY LION.

FORTUNATELY, WARTHOGS ARE WELL ARMED.

THESE TUSKS ARE FORMIDABLE WEAPONS.

THE BIGGEST ONES EVER SEEN WERE

TWO FEET LONG ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE.

BUT IT'S THE SMALLER, LOWER TUSKS

THAT ARE THE DANGER.

THEY CAN BE VERY SHARP,

AND THEY'RE THE MAIN WEAPON IN ATTACK.

AND WHAT ABOUT THE WARTS

THAT GIVE THESE PIGS THEIR NAME?

MALES HAVE FOUR.

FEMALES, TWO.

THEY'RE NOT REALLY WARTS,

BUT PROTECTIVE PADS

OF CARTILAGE AND GRISTLE.

IN BATTLE, THE STRATEGICALLY PLACED PADS

DEFLECT THRUSTING TUSKS

AWAY FROM SOFT PARTS OF THE FACE,

SHIELDING THE EYES AND MOUTH.

FOR WARTHOGS, AN UGLY SNOUT CAN LITERALLY BE A LIFESAVER.

AND THAT'S JUST AS WELL,

IF THEY DON'T WANT TO FINISH

AS A FEAST FOR THE NEXT ANIMAL

IN OUR LACK-OF-BEAUTY PARADE --

THE VULTURE.

IN NAMIBIA, SOUTHERN AFRICA,

THERE'S A VULTURE RESTAURANT WHERE HUNDREDS OF THEM GATHER.

OTHER BIRDS HAVE THICK FEATHERS ON THEIR HEADS AND NECKS,

BUT VULTURES ARE THREADBARE...

AND WITH GOOD REASON.

IN THIS RESERVE, A NATURE CHARITY DELIVERS

MEALS ON WHEELS,

AND THE GHASTLY GOURMETS

GORGE ON OFFAL.

BECAUSE OF THEIR GRISLY HABITS AND LOOKS,

VULTURES HAVE BEEN PERSECUTED FOR YEARS.

MARIA DIEKMANN RUNS THIS VULTURE SANCTUARY.

SHE'S HOPING TO IMPROVE THEIR FORTUNES.

HI!

THESE ARE CAPE GRIFFON VULTURES.

THIS IS THE MOST ENDANGERED SPECIES IN NAMIBIA.

WE'VE ONLY GOT 11 LEFT.

AND THE FEMALES DOMINATE.

[ LAUGHING ]

EVERY ANCIENT CULTURE

IN THE WORLD RESPECTED VULTURES

AND REVERED VULTURES

BECAUSE OF THE ROLE THAT THEY PLAY

IN THE ENVIRONMENT -- AND THAT'S THE CLEAN-UP ROLE.

WITHOUT THEM, THE SPREAD OF DISEASE

WOULD PROBABLY KILL A LOT OF OUR OTHER MAMMALS

AND SCAVENGERS.

SO, IF YOU LOVE THE ANIMALS OF AFRICA,

YOU HAVE TO LOVE A VULTURE,

BECAUSE THAT'S WHAT KEEPS

EVERYTHING ELSE GOING.

Narrator: WHITE-BACKED VULTURES ARRIVE EN MASSE,

UP TO 300 AT A TIME.

VULTURES CAN'T PREEN THEIR OWN HEADS.

FEATHERS WOULD SOON BE MATTED WITH GUTS AND GORE.

EVEN LARGER,

LAPPET-FACED VULTURES BEGIN TO ARRIVE.

THEY CAN FLY MORE THAN 40 MILES AN HOUR

AND USE THEIR NINE-FOOT WINGSPAN TO BRAKE AND LAND

RIGHT BY THE FOOD.

THE KINGS OF THE CARCASS.

LAPPET-FACE VULTURES DOMINATE AT THE FEAST,

BUT SPECIALIZE IN EATING SKIN AND BONES.

THOUGH THEY'RE BULLIES, THEIR PRESENCE IS VITAL

TO THE OTHER BIRDS AROUND THE CARCASS.

THEY'VE GOT THE BIGGEST BEAK OF ANY VULTURE,

THE ONLY ONE STRONG ENOUGH

TO RIP OPEN TOUGH ANIMAL HIDE.

[ SCREECHES ]

A LAPPET IS A FLESHY FOLD OF SKIN,

AND THESE VULTURES CERTAINLY HAVE SKIN TO SPARE.

THEIR BALD HEADS HELP THEM TO STAY CLEAN

AND LOSE HEAT.

PLUS, THEY'RE A STATUS SYMBOL --

THE PINKER THE SKIN, THE HIGHER UP

IN THE PECKING ORDER.

A VULTURE'S VILE LOOKS ARE DICTATED

BY ITS MESSY LIFESTYLE.

BUT, IN FACT, VULTURES ARE EXTREMELY HYGIENIC ANIMALS.

AFTER FIGHTING OVER A FEED,

THEY'LL WASH WHENEVER THEY CAN FIND

FRESH WATER.

BUT AT A COST --

VULTURES WITH WET FEATHERS AND A THROAT FULL OF CARRION

CAN'T EASILY TAKE OFF.

THEY'RE SITTING TARGETS FOR A GOOD HALF HOUR

UNTIL THE SUN DRIES THEM OUT.

AN EVEN UGLIER BIRD LIVES HERE IN GUWAHATI,

NORTHERN INDIA, AND HAS A REPUTATION AS A GRAVE ROBBER.

LESS THAN 1,000 OF THEM SURVIVE NOW,

BUT YOU CAN STILL FIND THEM...

AT THE LOCAL GARBAGE DUMP.

IT'S ONE OF THE RAREST OF THE REVOLTING...

THE GREATER ADJUTANT STORK.

ALTHOUGH THEY'RE NOT CLASSICALLY HANDSOME,

THEY'RE CERTAINLY IMPOSING,

STANDING OVER FIVE FEET TALL.

BUT EVEN ORNITHOLOGISTS

INSULTED THESE BIRDS, WRITING THAT THEY WERE

PRODIGIES OF UGLINESS,

THE MOST MASSIVE AND UGLY OF THE ASIAN STORKS.

LIKE VULTURES,

ADJUTANT STORKS POSSESS THE SAME

NEAR-NAKED HEADS AND NECKS

FOR THE SAME REASON -- THEIR DIET.

EVEN THOUGH THEY DO EAT LIVE FISH AND OTHER ANIMALS,

THEY'RE NOT AVERSE

TO DELVING INTO CARRION AND ROTTING RUBBISH.

THEIR UNATTRACTIVENESS

IS INCREASED BY TWO INFLATABLE AIR SACS --

A POUCH AT THE FRONT AND A GIANT

STRAWBERRY-SHAPED ONE AT THE BACK.

THIS DOMINANT BIRD HAS INFLATED THEM TO SHOW WHO'S BOSS.

THESE STRANGE STORKS NEST IN TALL TREES AT THE EDGE OF TOWN.

GREATER ADJUTANTS ARE CLOSE TO EXTINCTION,

AND EVEN THOUGH MANY PEOPLE THINK THEY'RE UGLY,

IT HASN'T STOPPED OTHERS

FROM TRYING TO SAVE THEM.

AND THESE NETS UNDER THE TREES CAN HELP.

STRONG WINDS CAN BLOW THE YOUNGSTERS

OUT OF THE EXPOSED NESTS.

THE SAFETY NETS BREAK THEIR FALL.

SO FAR, OVER 40 CHICKS

HAVE BEEN RESCUED.

THEY'RE CARED FOR

AT THIS REHABILITATION CENTER

UNTIL THEY'RE OLD ENOUGH TO GO BACK INTO THE WILD.

THEY'RE RAISED ON A FISH DIET HERE,

BUT HOPEFULLY, ON THEIR RELEASE,

THEY'LL DO WHAT COMES NATURALLY,

CLEARING UP ROTTING CARCASSES

THROUGHOUT NORTHERN INDIA.

IN NATURE, LOOKS -- GOOD OR BAD --

ARE THERE FOR A PURPOSE.

TAKE, FOR EXAMPLE, THE NOBLE PEACOCK.

IT'S ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BIRDS,

WITH NEARLY EVERY COLOR UNDER THE SUN.

BUT THAT FIVE-FOOT-LONG TAIL IS ALSO TOTALLY IMPRACTICAL --

MORE OF A HINDRANCE

THAN A HELP EN FLEEING FROM PREDATORS

SUCH AS TIGERS.

SO WHY HAVE A TAIL TO DIE FOR?

IF THE MALE CAN SURVIVE

DESPITE BEING HANDICAPPED BY HANDSOMENESS,

HE'S LIKELY TO BE SEEN AS HYPER-HEALTHY...

A TRAIT ANY PROSPECTIVE MOTHER

WOULD WANT TO PASS ON TO HER CHILDREN.

THE WHOLE POINT OF THIS DANDY'S DANCE

IS FOR THE MALE TO ADVERTISE

HIS GORGEOUSNESS.

AMONG PEACOCKS, THE GOOD-LOOKING GUY

ALWAYS GETS THE GIRL.

BUT THE PRECISE OPPOSITE IS TRUE

AT AÑO NUEVO RESERVE ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST.

HERE, IT'S MONSTROUS MALES THAT ATTRACT MATES.

THESE ARE NORTHERN ELEPHANT SEAL BULLS,

AND THAT PROBOSCIS, OR NOSE,

CAN BE OVER TWO FEET LONG.

DURING THE BREEDING SEASON, THEY SHOW OFF THEIR NOSES

WITH TREMENDOUS BELLOWING

THAT CAN BE HEARD UP TO A MILE AWAY.

IT'S THEIR WAY OF CHALLENGING RIVALS.

[ BELLOWING ]

HERE IN CALIFORNIA, IT'S WINTER,

THE BEGINNING OF THE BREEDING SEASON.

NEWLY ARRIVED FEMALES

ARE STAINED WITH YELLOW WHERE MARINE MICROBES

ARE DYING OFF, OUT OF SALTWATER.

THE MOMS AND PUPS ARE FAR FROM FRIGHTFUL --

BIG EYES, SNUB NOSES,

THOSE BABY-FACE FEATURES AGAIN.

RATHER THAN ROAST IN THE SUN,

THE SEALS SLIP ON A COOLING SAND WRAP.

TWENTY DAYS AFTER GIVING BIRTH,

FEMALES ARE READY TO MATE AGAIN.

THIS IS WHY THE BULLS COME LUMBERING

OUT OF THE WATER AND BEGIN WARMING UP

FOR THE BATTLES TO COME.

DURING THE WHOLE THREE-MONTH BREEDING SEASON,

THEY WON'T FEED AT ALL AND CAN LOSE

MORE THAN A QUARTER OF THEIR BODY WEIGHT.

USUALLY, IT'S ONLY

THE BIGGEST BULLS, THE BEACHMASTERS,

THAT GET GOOD OPPORTUNITIES FOR MATING.

BUT IT DOESN'T PREVENT

LOW-RANKING MALES FROM TRYING THEIR LUCK.

[ CALLING ]

A BEACHMASTER IS IN THE CENTER OF HIS HAREM, NOT FAR AWAY.

AND THIS FEMALE DOESN'T WANT THE LESSER MALE.

HER WARNING WILL ALERT THE BIG BULL.

HERE HE COMES.

MOVING IN TO PROTECT HIS HAREM, USING HIS NOSE

TO INTIMIDATE HIS RIVAL.

[ BELLOWING ]

WEIGHING IN AT OVER TWO TONS,

THE BEACHMASTER ENJOYS

A SIZEABLE ADVANTAGE.

BUT THE CHALLENGER DECIDES

TO MAKE A STAND.

THE BLOATED FAT OF THE SUPER-SIZED NECKS

CUSHIONS THE TREMENDOUS BLOWS.

THE BEACHMASTER IS VICTORIOUS.

HIS NOSE AND CALLS USUALLY DETER CHALLENGERS.

THESE UGLY BRAWLS ARE RARE.

FOR ELEPHANT SEALS,

AN IMPRESSIVE PROBOSCIS IS A WINNING ASSET.

NATURALISTS ARE INVESTIGATING

WHETHER THE SAME HOLDS TRUE IN THE JUNGLES OF BORNEO.

THEY'RE ON THE TRAIL OF A PRIMATE,

BUT NOT THIS ONE.

THIS IS A CRAB-EATING MACAQUE.

THEY'RE COMMON HERE IN GARAMA NATIONAL PARK.

THEY HANG OUT DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE,

FORAGING FOR FRUITS, FLOWERS,

AND CRABS, AND KEEPING WELL AWAY

FROM A HUNGRY MONITOR LIZARD.

THERE'S THE ANIMAL WE'RE LOOKING FOR --

A MALE PROBOSCIS MONKEY.

WHAT A PREPOSTEROUS, PENDULOUS NOSE.

BUT IT'S THE BOSS'S STATUS SYMBOL,

HELPING HIM HANG ON TO HIS HAREM OF UP TO NINE FEMALES.

THE NOSES OF THE FEMALES

AND THEIR BLUE-FACED BABIES

AREN'T NEARLY AS LARGE.

BUT THEY'RE STILL BIGGER

THAN OTHER MONKEYS'.

PROBOSCIS MONKEYS DINE MAINLY ON LEAVES.

IT'S A SUPER-HIGH-FIBER DIET.

BUT THE NUTRIENTS IN LEAVES ARE HARD TO EXTRACT.

SO BOTH MALES AND FEMALES SHARE

AN EQUALLY UNATTRACTIVE FEATURE --

A PROTRUDING POTBELLY.

INSIDE, BACTERIA FERMENT THE FOLIAGE

TO RELEASE ALL THE ENERGY.

THE PROCESS PRODUCES HEAT.

THAT'S ONE REASON WHY THESE MONKEYS HAVE THEIR NOTABLE NOSE.

THE GREATER SURFACE AREA

HELPS COOL DOWN ITS OWNER.

FOR MALES, THE PROBOSCIS HAS A DUAL PURPOSE.

[ MONKEYS CALLING ]

A RIVAL MALE HAS DISHONORABLE DESIGNS ON THE FEMALES.

TIME FOR THE BOSS TO STICK HIS NOSE IN.

[ CALLS ]

THE INTRUDER GAUGES THE MALE'S SIZE AND FITNESS

FROM THAT DISTINCTIVE HONK.

AND THE CALL RALLIES THE EXTENDED FAMILY GROUP.

[ SCREECHING ]

[ HONKS ]

[ HONKING ]

[ HONKING ]

THE INTERLOPER IS OFF.

THE WINNER...

BY A NOSE.

NOW TO MINI-MAMMALS WHO LIVE LIFE

IN THE RAW -- NAKED MOLE RATS.

THESE SMALL RODENTS LIVE IN COLONIES

UP TO 300 STRONG.

THEY NORMALLY BURROW UNDERGROUND IN EAST AFRICA,

BUT THIS COLONY HAPPILY SCAMPERS

AROUND A LAB IN NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE.

[ SQUEAKING ]

SAM CRISH IS STUDYING THEM.

Man: THIS IS A NAKED MOLE RAT.

WHILE SOME PEOPLE FIND THEM REPULSIVE,

I'VE BEEN WORKING ON THEM

FOR ABOUT SEVEN YEARS, AND I'M A BIG FAN.

THESE GUYS ARE FASCINATING CREATURES.

THEY'RE NOT MOLES AND THEY'RE NOT RATS.

THEY'RE RODENTS MORE CLOSELY RELATED

TO CHINCHILLAS AND PORCUPINES.

LET'S SEE WHY THEY LOOK SO ODD.

Narrator: NAKED MOLE RATS HAVE SHED THEIR HAIR FOREVER.

WITH NO FUR

TO TRAP MUD OR SAND,

THESE BURROWERS CAN SLIDE ALONG SMOOTHLY.

KEEPING WARM ISN'T A PROBLEM.

UNDERGROUND,

IT'S USUALLY A COMFY 86 DEGREES.

ANOTHER BONUS --

HEAT TRANSFERS QUICKLY

IN THEIR GROUP HUDDLES.

AND WITH NO FUR,

THERE'S NOWHERE FOR FLEAS AND MANY OTHER PARASITES

TO HIDE.

THERE'S THE QUEEN.

SHE'S MUCH BIGGER THAN THE REST.

SHE WASN'T ALWAYS ROYALTY, BUT, INCREDIBLY,

WHEN SHE BECAME QUEEN, HER BACKBONE

ACTUALLY GREW LONGER.

QUEEN NAKED MOLE RATS

ARE THE ONLY ANIMALS IN THE WORLD

THAT CAN LENGTHEN THEIR VERTEBRAE.

THE QUEEN BULLIES HER WORKERS

AND PRODUCES PHEROMONES,

INVISIBLE CHEMICALS,

TO KEEP HER SUBJECTS IN LINE.

THEY WORK CONTINUOUSLY TO PROTECT HER,

MAINTAIN THE BURROWS,

AND BABYSIT HER OFFSPRING.

BUT WHY THOSE UGLY BUCK TEETH?

ONE OF THE REASONS IS THAT

NAKED MOLE RATS GNAW ROOTS AND TUBERS.

OUTSIZE INCISORS CAN TEAR THROUGH TOUGH FIBERS.

A QUARTER OF ALL MOLE RAT MUSCLE-POWER

MOVES THOSE GIANT JAWS.

THEIR LIPS CAN SHUT BEHIND THEIR FRONT TEETH.

AND THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR THAT.

MOLE RATS LITERALLY BITE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE SOIL.

WITH LIPS CLOSED BEHIND THEIR AMAZING TEETH,

THEY CAN TUNNEL MORE THAN A MILE

IN LESS THAN THREE MONTHS,

WITHOUT SO MUCH AS A MOUTHFUL OF MUD.

THEY'RE SUCH INDUSTRIOUS DIGGERS,

ONE COLONY'S TUNNELS CAN STRETCH

OVER THE AREA OF 20 FOOTBALL FIELDS,

ALL IN THE SEARCH FOR FOOD.

COLONY-DWELLERS UNDER THE CONTROL OF A QUEEN,

MOLE RATS ARE LIKE TERMITES OR ANTS.

INSECTS ARE ARTHROPODS,

A GROUP THAT INCLUDES 95 PERCENT

OF ALL ANIMALS ON EARTH.

A PRECIOUS FEW, LIKE BUSY BEES AND BEAUTIFUL BUTTERFLIES,

ARE FAMILIAR TO US,

AND WE DON'T FIND THEM

THREATENING OR UGLY.

IN FACT, THEIR COLORS ENCHANT US.

BUT MOST CREEPY-CRAWLIES AREN'T SO FAMILIAR,

AND THEY'RE CERTAINLY NOT AS PRETTY.

THE WHIP SCORPION IS A GRUESOME CASE IN POINT.

LIKE OTHER BUGS, THEY'RE INVERTEBRATES.

THEY HAVE NO BACKBONE.

AND SO BODY DESIGN RULES ARE THROWN OUT THE WINDOW.

THEY LOOK SO ALIEN,

IT'S NO WONDER PEOPLE ARE REPULSED BY THEM.

BUT THEY DO HAVE THEIR OWN BEAUTY PAGEANT --

WELL, ACTUALLY,

IT'S AN UGLY PAGEANT.

THESE ARE CLOSE-UPS

OF SOME OF THE CONTESTANTS.

A DAMSELFLY.

WHEN THESE CREATURES ARE MAGNIFIED

MANY TIMES LIFE SIZE,

THEY REALLY DO LOOK UTTERLY BIZARRE.

EVERY YEAR, HUNDREDS OF SCHOOLS

ACROSS OKLAHOMA COMPETE

TO FIND THE STATE'S UGLIEST BUG.

TODAY IS THE DAY

THAT WE'RE GOING TO GO OUT

AND TRY TO FIND THE UGLIEST BUG

TO REPRESENT JACKSON ELEMENTARY.

SO ARE YOU READY?

Students: YEAH!

CAN YOU DO IT?

Narrator: THERE ARE MILLIONS

OF INSECT SPECIES WORLDWIDE.

A SINGLE GARDEN

CAN HOLD OVER 8,000 DIFFERENT KINDS.

AND NOT JUST ON DRY LAND.

DRAGONFLY LARVAE SPEND

UP TO FIVE YEARS UNDERWATER.

THOSE POP EYES COULD MAKE THEM WINNERS.

OH! A STINK BUG!

Narrator: BUT EACH KID HAS A FAVORITE.

AWESOME!

Narrator: THE PRAYING MANTIS IS A BEAUTIFUL BUG.

BUT SHE DISAGREES.

[ Gasps ] EW, EW, EW!

Teacher: YOU THOUGHT CATCHING THE BUG WAS HARD?

Student: YES.

WE NOW HAVE TO DECIDE

WHICH BUG IS THE UGLIEST.

Narrator: HOW DO YOU JUDGE UGLINESS

IN CREATURES SO DIFFERENT FROM US?

Teacher: OUR FIRST-PLACE,

UGLIEST BUG IN OUR SCHOOL GOES TO

THE VELVET ANT.

Narrator: BUT WILL IT WIN THE STATE TITLE?

THE ENTRIES GO TO DR. PAIGE JOHNSON.

HER ELECTRON MICROSCOPE MAGNIFIES THE BUGS

UP TO 200 TIMES.

WHAT DOES SHE THINK MAKES A CHAMPION?

WE GET ALL KINDS OF UGLY BUGS IN THE CONTEST,

LOTS OF VARIETIES.

I THINK ANYTHING WITH FANGS

IS ALWAYS VERY SINISTER

AND THREATENING.

THE ANT LION HAS FANGS ALMOST AS LONG

AS ITS BODY.

BUT I THINK MY FAVORITES ARE THE WEEVILS.

THEY TEND TO HAVE

A LONG SNOUT THAT THEY USE

FOR GATHERING THEIR FOOD,

AND I ACTUALLY THINK, RATHER THAN BEING UGLY,

THEY'RE KIND OF CUTE.

SO THIS IS THE VELVET ANT FROM JACKSON ELEMENTARY.

AND YOU CAN SEE THAT IT IS A TRULY UGLY BUG.

UNDER HERE, UNDERNEATH ITS CHIN,

YOU CAN SEE WHY IT'S CALLED THE COW-KILLER ANT.

THESE ARE THE BIG FANGS THAT IT WOULD BITE A COW

OR I GUESS EVEN A PERSON WITH.

AS ALWAYS, IT'S BEEN A TOUGH CONTEST AND A CLOSE DECISION,

BUT THE MEMBERS OF THE OKLAHOMA MICROSCOPY SOCIETY HAVE MET

AND VOTED, AND WE'VE DECIDED THAT THE WINNER

OF THE NINTH ANNUAL UGLY BUG CONTEST

IS...

Narrator: A DUNG BEETLE.

TIED FOR SECOND WERE...

A CODLING MOTH...

AND A NET-WINGED BEETLE.

BUT THERE ARE DEFINITELY NO PRIZES

FOR THE ABHORRENT ANIMALS

WE'RE GOING TO MEET NEXT.

DR. PHIL CRAIG

AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD IN ENGLAND

IS AN EXPERT ON PARASITES.

PARASITES ARE, BROADLY SPEAKING,

ANIMALS THAT LIVE

WITHIN OTHER ANIMALS OR HUMANS.

AND ABOUT TWO-THIRDS OF THE HUMAN POPULATION

ARE INFECTED WITH PARASITES,

AND VIRTUALLY 100 PERCENT OF ANIMALS ARE INFECTED.

THIS IS A TAPEWORM.

THEY'RE SEGMENTED.

THEY DON'T HAVE A GUT, THEY DON'T HAVE A MOUTH,

AND THEY LIVE IN THE HUMAN INTESTINE.

THIS ONE IS ABOUT

TEN FEET LONG, AND IT GREW IN A VOLUNTEER

IN 10 WEEKS.

BUT IT'S NOT THE RECORD.

IN HUMANS, TAPEWORMS CAN GROW

TO 35 OR 40 FEET.

TAPEWORMS CAN LIVE A VERY LONG TIME,

ACTUALLY UP TO 25 YEARS, IN THE HUMAN GUT.

AND THEY ARE VERY WELL ADAPTED TO DO THAT

WITH PERHAPS THE MOST UGLY PART OF THE WORM,

WHICH IS A HEAD,

BUT MORE CORRECTLY KNOWN AS A SCOLEX.

AND YOU CAN SEE, THERE ARE FOUR

LARGE SUCKERS ON THIS HEAD,

WHICH ARE USED FOR IT TO HANG INTO THE GUT.

THIS SPECIES OF TAPEWORM IS UGLY ENOUGH.

BUT OTHER SPECIES, UNDER HIGHER MAGNIFICATION,

EVEN HAVE ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENTS ON THEIR HEAD,

PARTICULARLY HOOKS,

THAT IT USES TO ATTACH TO THE LINING OF THE HUMAN GUT.

TAPEWORMS AND ASCARIDS MAY BE CONSIDERED BY MANY

TO BE UGLY ORGANISMS, BUT, IN FACT,

THAT UGLINESS IS A SUPREME ADAPTATION

FOR THEIR PARASITIC WAY OF LIFE.

AND IT'S ENABLED THEM TO EVOLVE

AND SURVIVE FOR MILLIONS OF YEARS.

SO WE CAN'T CRITICIZE THEM FOR BEING UGLY.

IT'S PART OF THEIR SUCCESS, IN ACTUAL FACT.

Narrator: BUT WHAT ABOUT ANIMALS THAT INHABIT

AN ENTIRELY DIFFERENT WORLD?

THE SEA COVERS 70 PERCENT OF THE EARTH'S SURFACE.

BUT THIS DIVER WON'T FIND MANY GRIM FACES

IN THESE WARM SHALLOWS.

RABBITFISH

AND CLOWN TRIGGERFISH.

THEIR BRIGHT MARKINGS MAKE THEM

APPEALING TO OUR EYES.

AROUND THESE CORALS, THERE'S ONE FISH SO CUTE

THAT IT EVEN STARRED IN ITS OWN ANIMATED ADVENTURE.

A SEA ANEMONE IS HOME TO CLOWN FISH.

WE'VE FOUND NEMO!

A SCHOOL OF BUMPHEAD PARROTFISH.

THEY'VE BEEN KNOWN TO USE THEIR LUMPY HEADS

TO RAM INTO THE REEF -- BREAKING OFF

BITS OF CORAL TO EAT.

BUT WE'RE AFTER A STRANGER CHARACTER.

A GIANT FROGFISH.

THE SPONGE-LIKE SHAPE AND COLOR

ARE PERFECT CAMOUFLAGE,

AND THEIR SPATULA-SHAPE FINS

CAN HELP KEEP THEM

PERFECTLY STILL.

THEY'RE A PHENOMENAL AMBUSH PREDATOR.

ANY SMALL FISH SWIMMING INTO THE REACH

OF THOSE TELESCOPIC JAWS

WILL BE SUCKED UP IN A FLASH.

ANOTHER AMBUSH PREDATOR WITH INTRICATE MARKINGS.

EVEN THE PUPILS OF ITS EYES

ARE DISGUISED.

THIS CAMOUFLAGE BREAKS UP ITS SHAPE

AGAINST THE SEA BOTTOM.

BUT WHEN IT MOVES,

IT'S EASY TO SEE WHY IT'S CALLED

THE CROCODILE FISH.

BUT FOR EVEN FUNNIER FACES,

WE NEED TO LEAVE THE TROPICS FOR CHILLIER SEAS.

THE GIANT OCTOPUS LIVES IN THE COLD WATERS

OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST.

BUT WE'RE HERE TO SEE ITS NEIGHBORS --

WOLF EELS.

THEY LOOK LIKE GRUMPY OLD MEN OF THE SEA.

TO GET A GOOD LOOK AT THEM,

WE NEED TO COAX THEM OUT OF THEIR LAIR.

A FEW CHOICE MORSELS WILL TEMPT THEM.

THOSE CURMUDGEONLY LIPS HAVE REINFORCED SKIN.

AT THE FRONT OF THE MOUTH,

PEG-LIKE TEETH CLAMP LIKE A VISE.

AT THE BACK, MASSIVE MOLARS

CAN CRUSH CRABS

AND GRIND SEA URCHIN SPINES.

ITS OFF-PUTTING LOOKS

ARE KEY TO ITS SURVIVAL.

THE WOLF EEL IS NATURE'S OWN LOBSTER CRACKER.

BUT THESE WONDERFUL EELS

AREN'T EVEN CLOSE TO BEING THE UGLIEST

FISH IN THE SEA.

THE DEEPER YOU VENTURE INTO THE OCEANS,

THE STRANGER LIFE BECOMES.

THE DEEP SEA IS THE LARGEST AND LEAST-EXPLORED HABITAT

ON EARTH...

AND THAT'S WHERE WE'RE GOING.

AT 600 FEET, WE'RE VENTURING

INTO A BRAND NEW WORLD.

SOME EXTRAORDINARY CREATURES HAVE EVOLVED TO THRIVE HERE --

COMB JELLIES,

SEA BUTTERFLIES,

AND GHOSTLY SQUID.

AT 3,000 FEET,

90 PERCENT OF ALL CREATURES PRODUCE THEIR OWN LIGHT.

THIS SCINTILLATING JELLYFISH

COULD ATTRACT SOME OF THE GRIM PREDATORS OF THE DEEP.

THIS SQUID, TOO, COULD SOON BE A MEAL FOR A MONSTER.

A CAPTURE JAR ON THE SUB DRAWS IN A BIZARRE-LOOKING ODDITY

THAT SEEMS TO COME STRAIGHT FROM A NIGHTMARE --

A GULPER EEL.

FOOD IS SCARCE DOWN HERE,

BUT THIS EEL CAN MAXIMIZE ITS MEALS

BY SWALLOWING PREY

LARGER THAN ITSELF.

IT'S GOT THE BIGGEST MOUTH IN RELATION TO BODY SIZE

OF ANY VERTEBRATE.

THE CONTENTS OF THE EEL'S STOMACH

WILL REVEAL ITS DIET,

BUT NO ONE HAS EVER SEEN IT FEED.

THE SUB CAPTURES A NEEDLE-TOOTHED VIPERFISH

AND BRINGS BACK A GHOUL'S GALLERY OF IMAGES.

A HATCHETFISH WITH BULGING EYES...

A DEEP SEA ANGLERFISH...

THE WELL-NAMED FANGTOOTH...

ONE VIPERFISH FLEEING FROM ANOTHER.

THESE ARE CREATURES THAT WILL NEVER SEE THE SURFACE.

BUT A REMARKABLE RESEARCH PROJECT HOPES TO REVEAL

WHY THESE UGLIES LOOK THE WAY THEY DO

BY FILMING THEM IN THEIR DEEP-SEA LAIR.

IT'S CALLED EYE IN THE SEA,

AND IT'S THE BRAINCHILD OF DR. EDIE WIDDER.

UNLIKE NORMAL LIGHTS,

A BATTERY OF RED LIGHTS WON'T DISTURB

ANY DEEP SEA CREATURES ATTRACTED BY THE BAIT.

Woman: WE WANT TO BRING IN THE SCAVENGERS BECAUSE,

EVEN THOUGH SCAVENGERS ARE SOMETHING

THAT MOST PEOPLE GET TO SEE,

THEN PREDATORS WILL COME IN

AND FEED ON THE SCAVENGERS.

SO IT'S WORTHWHILE

BRINGING THEM IN, AS WELL.

Narrator: A SPECIAL LIGHT-SENSITIVE CAMERA

WILL RECORD THEIR IMAGES.

DR. WIDDER'S TEAM HAS EVEN

FAKED A FLASHING JELLYFISH.

BUT WILL THEY REALLY TEMPT

THE CHASM'S CHILLING PREDATORS

TO PERFORM FOR THE CAMERA?

THE EYE IN THE SEA MAKES ITS FIRST-EVER DIVE.

A REMOTE-CONTROLLED SUB TAKES THE CAMERA RIG

2,300 FEET DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE PACIFIC OCEAN.

YEP -- HERE IT IS.

Narrator: THE SEA FLOOR.

THE SUBMARINE'S ROBOT ARM

RELEASES EYE IN THE SEA.

SOON THE FIRST RESULTS ARE BACK,

THE IMAGES DOWNLOADED.

AS THE DARKNESS WAKES,

THE BAIT AND DECOY JELLYFISH

SUCCEED IN ATTRACTING ATTENTION.

ALREADY, EYE IN THE SEA IS RECORDING REVOLTING SCAVENGERS.

A 10-FOOT-LONG SLEEPER SHARK.

RATTAILS.

BENEATH THEM IS A MASS OF WRITHING SHAPES.

PACIFIC HAGFISH

ARE SO ABUNDANT HERE, IN NINE MONTHS,

THEY CAN STRIP A 35-TON WHALE

DOWN TO THE BARE BONES.

THESE PRIMITIVE FISH ARE VIRTUALLY BLIND,

WITH RUDIMENTARY EYES COVERED IN SKIN.

THEY SNIFF OUT CARRION

WITH A SINGLE NOSTRIL

AND FEEL AROUND FOOD

WITH THE TENTACLES ABOVE THEIR MOUTHS.

MOST HORRIFIC OF ALL,

THESE CARRION FEEDERS HAVE NO JAWS.

INSTEAD, THEY TEAR AWAY FLESH WITH THEIR RASPING TONGUES.

WE KNOW SO MUCH ABOUT THEM

BECAUSE HAGFISH CAN SURVIVE IN THE SHALLOWS.

AT U.C. IRVINE, ANDREW CLARK

HAS BEEN STUDYING THEM IN THE LAB.

RIGHT, WELL, HAGFISH ARE AMONG THE MOST INTERESTING AND UNUSUAL

ANIMALS THAT YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE.

THESE ANIMALS HAVE SLIME GLANDS

THAT ARE SITUATED THROUGHOUT THE LENGTH OF THE BODY,

AND THEY SECRETE THIS MUCUS

THROUGH TINY PORES IN THE SKIN.

HAGFISH SECRETE SLIME TO DEFEND THEMSELVES.

IT CAN BE USED TO CLOG UP THE GILLS

OF ATTACKING FISH PREDATORS.

SOME PEOPLE BELIEVE THAT HAGFISH SLIME

CAN BE USED FOR COOKING

AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR EGG WHITES.

SO JUST IMAGINE HAVING

HAGFISH SLIME AND BACON FOR BREAKFAST.

IT'S A REALLY, REALLY PLEASANT THOUGHT.

Narrator: JUST SO LONG AS IT DOESN'T KILL OUR APPETITE

FOR FINDING THE ULTIMATE UGLY.

THIS IS CHAA CREEK

IN BELIZE, CENTRAL AMERICA,

HOME TO THE ANIMAL WITH MAYBE THE UGLIEST FACE IN THE WORLD.

TO CATCH THIS AMAZINGLY BIZARRE CREATURE

TAKES A NET BIGGER THAN A WHOLE TENNIS COURT.

Man: THERE WE GO.

Man: OKAY, GOT IT.

Narrator: IT HAS TO BE SET IN THE PERFECT POSITION.

DAVID JOHNSTON IS A WORLD EXPERT

ON THE GROUP OF ANIMALS THIS CREATURE BELONGS TO.

HE'S BEEN CATCHING THEM FOR YEARS.

BUT DESPITE THE NET'S ENORMOUS SIZE,

THE ANIMAL HE'S LOOKING FOR

IS NO MONSTROUS GIANT.

THE CREATURE DAVE'S AFTER IS A HIGH FLIER.

AND, OF COURSE, IT ONLY COMES OUT AT NIGHT.

IT'S A BAT.

BATTING IS A LOT LIKE FISHING.

THERE ARE PROBABLY OVER 40

SPECIES OF BATS HERE.

I MEAN, YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GOING TO GET.

Narrator: WHAT YOU CAN GUARANTEE IS THAT

MOST OF WHAT IS CAUGHT WILL LOOK WEIRD

OR UGLY.

WHY?

THERE'S A GOOD REASON FOR BATS TO LOOK BIZARRE.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

OH, THIS IS GREAT!

THIS IS THE GOLDEN BAT.

IT'S CALLED THE GOLDEN BAT

BECAUSE IT HAS THIS MARVELOUS,

MARVELOUS FUR THAT'S ACTUALLY

IRIDESCENT.

IT'S TRULY A GOLDEN BAT.

IT HAS AN ENORMOUS LEAF NOSE.

IT USES THAT

TO FOCUS THE SONAR SOUNDS

THAT GO OUT THROUGH THE NOSE

TO HELP DIRECT THOSE CALLS

WHERE IT WANTS TO.

SO IMAGINE THE SOUND GOING THROUGH THE NOSE,

HITS AN OBJECT,

BOUNCING BACK,

THAT ECHOES THEN AND IS RECEIVED

BY THESE ENORMOUS EARS.

NOW, THIS BAT CAN DO SOMETHING

IN ADDITION TO THAT --

THIS BAT TURNS OFF ITS ECHOLOCATION.

IT CAN LISTEN TO LITTLE CRICKETS

AND WHATNOT MOVING

THROUGH THE FOLIAGE,

AND IT SIMPLY ZEROES IN

ON EXACTLY WHERE THAT INSECT IS,

SWOOPS DOWN, AND PICKS IT UP.

Narrator: THE GOLDEN BAT ISN'T THE BAT WE'RE AFTER.

57.6.

Narrator: THAT LEAF NOSE IS WEIRD,

BUT NOT QUITE WEIRD ENOUGH.

DAVID COLLECTS THIS BAT'S MEASUREMENTS.

EACH FACE IS FASHIONED TO HELP LISTEN IN

TO ULTRASOUND ECHOES FOR NOCTURNAL NAVIGATION.

WHEN IT COMES TO NIGHT-TIME AEROBATICS,

WINGS ARE VITAL,

BUT FACE SHAPE

IS NO LESS IMPORTANT.

19.2...

Narrator: BUT NOW IT'S TIME

TO LET THE GOLDEN BAT GO

AND CHECK THE NET

FOR AN EVEN UGLIER PRIZE.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

OH!

THIS IS THE GREATER MUSTACHE BAT.

IT'S CALLED THE MUSTACHE BAT

BECAUSE IT HAS THESE FOLDS

JUST BELOW THE MOUTH, IN FACT,

THE CHIN AREA, THAT IT USES

TO PRODUCE PHEROMONES.

PHEROMONES ARE CHEMICALS THAT HELP THE BAT

COMMUNICATE WITH OTHER MEMBERS

OF ITS OWN SPECIES.

AND THESE ARE

PARASITIC FLIES.

THEY SUCK THE BLOOD OF THE BAT

AND THEY OFTEN HIDE IN THE FUR.

[ SQUEAKS ]

Narrator: THAT'S STRANGE ENOUGH,

BUT A BAT CAUGHT IN THE TOP PART

OF THE NET PROMISES MORE.

AH, LOOKS LIKE WE HAVE A BAT,

UP HIGH.

OKAY.

LET'S SEE WHAT WE'VE GOT HERE.

OH!

THIS IS FANTASTIC!

MORMOOPS MEGALOPHYLLA, OTHERWISE KNOWN

AS THE GHOST-FACED BAT.

AND IT'S GOT THE MOST BIZARRE FACE.

IT'S GOT THESE FLAPS OF SKIN

UNDER THE CHIN AND THEN

THIS DISH-LIKE HEAD

THAT GIVE IT PRECISION ECHOLOCATION

TO HELP HUNT DOWN

INSECTS IN DENSE TROPICAL FORESTS.

JUST INCREDIBLE,

AND REALLY

TRULY A RARE BAT.

WELL, THANK YOU, LITTLE GUY.

[ BELLOWING ]

Narrator: SURVIVING IN THE WILD

TAKES MORE THAN A PRETTY FACE.

WHAT AN ANIMAL NEEDS TO BE

IS OFTEN JUST WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE.

WINNERS COME IN ALL SHAPES AND SIZES --

AND THE MOST ECCENTRIC CAN ALSO BE THE MOST EFFECTIVE.

STRANGE AS THEY MAY SEEM,

EACH FORM HAS A FUNCTION,

AN ABILITY THAT MAKES THEM UNIQUE.

AND AS WE DISCOVER THE AMAZING WAYS THESE CREATURES

MAKE THEIR WAY IN THE WORLD,

WE CAN SEE

THAT EACH ONE HAS A BEAUTY

ALL ITS OWN.

On Masterpiece Mystery!...

Oh, please help me!

What is it?

He's dead.

I don't believe it was a coincidence.

Eh bien, it is a puzzle.

He is a private detective of excellent reputation.

You believe I'm innocent, don't you?

WOMAN: Sounds a most desperate cry!

(screaming)

POIROT: Most desperate indeed.

I know she's a good person.

The world is full of good people who do bad things, mon ami.

CUMMING: "The Clocks"... Poirot.

On Masterpiece Mystery!

Next on most PBS stations.

NEXT TIME ON "NATURE"...

IT'S TITUS,

KING OF THE MOUNTAIN GORILLAS,

VERSUS KURYAMA, HIS TOUGHEST CHALLENGER.

THIS COULD BE THE CLIMAX OF AN EPIC STORY

SPANNING MORE THAN 30 YEARS.

IT'S THE STORY OF A TINY BABY,

DESTINED TO BE AN ORPHAN

AND AN OUTCAST, WHO WOULD RISE

TO BECOME THE GREATEST GORILLA OF HIS GENERATION.

THIS "NATURE" PROGRAM IS AVAILABLE

ON DVD FOR $19.99,

PLUS SHIPPING.

TO ORDER,

CALL 1-800-336-1917.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT

WHAT YOU'VE SEEN

ON THIS "NATURE" PROGRAM,

VISIT pbs.org.