1 00:00:00,173 --> 00:00:05,173 (light dramatic music) (bugs chirping) 2 00:00:07,542 --> 00:00:10,142 Anyone fascinated by the natural world 3 00:00:10,142 --> 00:00:12,232 has probably wondered why some animals 4 00:00:12,232 --> 00:00:14,755 have such strange looking sense organs. 5 00:00:16,722 --> 00:00:18,322 The elephant with its huge ears, 6 00:00:20,592 --> 00:00:22,172 the antennae of a butterfly, 7 00:00:22,172 --> 00:00:24,075 which up close look like feathers, 8 00:00:25,852 --> 00:00:28,462 the snake with its split tongue. 9 00:00:28,462 --> 00:00:30,892 And what about less obvious enhancements 10 00:00:30,892 --> 00:00:33,455 like the sensory cells on a crocodile's skin? 11 00:00:34,692 --> 00:00:37,845 Surely these evolutionary traits aren't just for decoration. 12 00:00:39,912 --> 00:00:42,572 In fact, the size, shape and location 13 00:00:42,572 --> 00:00:45,602 of these animals sense organs is all for a purpose, 14 00:00:45,602 --> 00:00:48,722 and just like us, animals rely on their senses 15 00:00:48,722 --> 00:00:50,252 to communicate with each other, 16 00:00:50,252 --> 00:00:53,002 find their way around, stay safe, 17 00:00:53,002 --> 00:00:56,275 and most importantly, to find food. 18 00:00:57,932 --> 00:01:00,952 When you see how superior some animal senses 19 00:01:00,952 --> 00:01:03,152 are compared to those of humans, 20 00:01:03,152 --> 00:01:05,652 you might wonder how we ever managed to stay 21 00:01:05,652 --> 00:01:07,315 on top of the food chain. 22 00:01:08,229 --> 00:01:12,675 "Animal Super Senses", you won't believe what's possible. 23 00:01:18,562 --> 00:01:22,162 Throughout the natural world, individuals interact, 24 00:01:22,162 --> 00:01:25,785 and sending and receiving information is vital for survival. 25 00:01:26,872 --> 00:01:29,722 Animals use communication to attract mates, 26 00:01:29,722 --> 00:01:33,775 ward off predators, defend territory, or trick their prey. 27 00:01:34,762 --> 00:01:37,872 And of course, it's the senses that play the key role. 28 00:01:37,872 --> 00:01:40,702 Sight, smell, taste, touch, and hearing, 29 00:01:40,702 --> 00:01:43,332 are all employed to send signals to others 30 00:01:43,332 --> 00:01:46,265 in the hope actions speak louder than words. 31 00:01:50,772 --> 00:01:53,422 In this episode of "Animal Super Senses" 32 00:01:53,422 --> 00:01:56,002 we find out more about the sensory powers used 33 00:01:56,002 --> 00:01:59,195 by animals to make messages loud and clear. 34 00:02:01,702 --> 00:02:02,995 Sun-baked Africa. 35 00:02:04,022 --> 00:02:06,052 Many animals find sanctuary from 36 00:02:06,052 --> 00:02:08,025 the heat in rivers and lakes. 37 00:02:09,162 --> 00:02:11,292 To keep cool, hippos spend much 38 00:02:11,292 --> 00:02:13,582 of their day wallowing in water. 39 00:02:13,582 --> 00:02:15,702 Even with their bodies submerged, 40 00:02:15,702 --> 00:02:18,822 the hippo can still see, hear and smell 41 00:02:18,822 --> 00:02:20,195 what's going on around it. 42 00:02:27,882 --> 00:02:31,025 Their epidermis is thin, with no sweat glands, 43 00:02:32,082 --> 00:02:34,322 but they do secrete a red fluid, 44 00:02:34,322 --> 00:02:37,605 giving rise to the myth that hippos sweat blood. 45 00:02:38,532 --> 00:02:42,132 This secretion contains a sunscreen, an antiseptic, 46 00:02:42,132 --> 00:02:43,735 and moistens delicate skin. 47 00:02:44,972 --> 00:02:49,732 Large, slow and rotund, these amphibious giants 48 00:02:49,732 --> 00:02:52,075 seem gentle and rather sleepy. 49 00:02:58,042 --> 00:03:00,355 Yawning is major pastime. 50 00:03:02,666 --> 00:03:04,652 (hippo yawns) 51 00:03:04,652 --> 00:03:07,522 But looks are deceiving. 52 00:03:07,522 --> 00:03:12,522 A large hippo guards his harem of females from sneaky males. 53 00:03:12,552 --> 00:03:15,825 If provoked, he will show who is boss. 54 00:03:16,952 --> 00:03:21,122 At 2,700 kilos, with formidable canines, 55 00:03:21,122 --> 00:03:24,515 the alpha sends a clear message to would-be Romeos. 56 00:03:25,562 --> 00:03:29,392 That's no sleepy yawn, it's a threat posture. 57 00:03:29,392 --> 00:03:34,082 Their 50-centimeter long teeth can do some serious damage. 58 00:03:34,082 --> 00:03:36,152 Even with the hippo's poor eyesight, 59 00:03:36,152 --> 00:03:39,195 having a huge gap should get the point across. 60 00:03:44,082 --> 00:03:46,922 But just in case the visual threat is ignored, 61 00:03:46,922 --> 00:03:49,225 hippos send another warning. 62 00:03:50,952 --> 00:03:54,625 This time, scent is used in a rather unique way. 63 00:03:59,722 --> 00:04:01,962 Hippos have a great sense of smell, 64 00:04:01,962 --> 00:04:04,925 a fact not lost in domain disputes. 65 00:04:06,432 --> 00:04:08,252 As the hippo goes to the toilet, 66 00:04:08,252 --> 00:04:12,875 it vigorously wags its tail, spreading poop far and wide. 67 00:04:14,162 --> 00:04:19,162 Dung spraying is the hippo's way of marking its territory. 68 00:04:19,312 --> 00:04:23,102 Breeding males fling feces at the competition 69 00:04:23,102 --> 00:04:27,342 in hope that these smelly encounters will decide the winner 70 00:04:27,342 --> 00:04:29,365 without resorting to a fight. 71 00:04:44,361 --> 00:04:49,028 In the savanna of East Africa is another social species. 72 00:04:51,672 --> 00:04:55,432 Baboons live in troops of related females, 73 00:04:55,432 --> 00:04:58,985 offsprings of various ages, and several adult males. 74 00:05:01,272 --> 00:05:04,825 Each individual has a rank with a dominant in charge. 75 00:05:05,792 --> 00:05:08,702 They get the best resources first, 76 00:05:08,702 --> 00:05:12,383 including access to the ladies. 77 00:05:12,383 --> 00:05:14,966 (upbeat music) 78 00:05:26,202 --> 00:05:28,382 But life at the top for the troop leader 79 00:05:28,382 --> 00:05:30,642 is not all fun and games. 80 00:05:30,642 --> 00:05:33,702 Every day there are pretenders to the throne looking 81 00:05:33,702 --> 00:05:35,152 for mating rights. 82 00:05:35,152 --> 00:05:37,722 Young virile males transfer 83 00:05:37,722 --> 00:05:39,545 from other groups to find a mate. 84 00:05:45,382 --> 00:05:49,602 These yawning threat postures send a strong visual message, 85 00:05:49,602 --> 00:05:51,845 exaggerating the length of the canines. 86 00:05:55,842 --> 00:06:00,162 But there are less aggressive ways of keeping your rank. 87 00:06:00,162 --> 00:06:04,682 Grooming is used to make friends and influence others. 88 00:06:04,682 --> 00:06:07,972 It's a communication tool that builds relationships 89 00:06:07,972 --> 00:06:10,592 and maintains strong bonds. 90 00:06:10,592 --> 00:06:14,405 This social sense of touch helps keep harmony in the group. 91 00:06:22,032 --> 00:06:24,742 A world away, on a different continent, 92 00:06:24,742 --> 00:06:28,015 things are heating up on a California beach. 93 00:06:33,262 --> 00:06:36,505 These beach bums are northern elephant seals. 94 00:06:37,662 --> 00:06:41,152 It's late November, and the breeding season has started. 95 00:06:41,152 --> 00:06:42,922 Mature bulls have begun to arrive 96 00:06:42,922 --> 00:06:45,509 with one thing on their mind. 97 00:06:45,509 --> 00:06:48,092 (upbeat music) 98 00:06:48,962 --> 00:06:51,795 (bulls squawking) 99 00:06:53,762 --> 00:06:58,035 The males will fight to determine who will be dominant. 100 00:07:04,122 --> 00:07:07,945 The winner's prize is a harem of blubber babes. 101 00:07:12,812 --> 00:07:16,382 Rather ungainly on land, these tubs of fat 102 00:07:16,382 --> 00:07:19,895 with pendulous noses can still pack a punch. 103 00:07:24,222 --> 00:07:28,185 In the elephant seal world, size does matter. 104 00:07:29,712 --> 00:07:32,132 The nose of a bull elephant seal starts to grow 105 00:07:32,132 --> 00:07:34,995 at puberty and continues to grow with age. 106 00:07:36,092 --> 00:07:38,735 It can reach two feet in length. 107 00:07:40,872 --> 00:07:43,382 Fights between males can get bloody 108 00:07:43,382 --> 00:07:45,415 and be surprisingly energetic. 109 00:07:46,722 --> 00:07:49,922 A testosterone fueled fight has contenders rear up 110 00:07:49,922 --> 00:07:52,195 and slam their bodies against each other. 111 00:07:54,402 --> 00:07:58,245 The scars of past contests are clear to see on some bulls, 112 00:08:00,022 --> 00:08:04,042 but efforts are made to avoid armed combat. 113 00:08:04,042 --> 00:08:06,152 Throwing back their heads to show off 114 00:08:06,152 --> 00:08:09,042 their enormous proboscis, the message is clear. 115 00:08:09,042 --> 00:08:12,105 A visual signal to intimidate challengers. 116 00:08:14,262 --> 00:08:16,322 And the nose has another function 117 00:08:16,322 --> 00:08:18,045 to back up the menacing sight. 118 00:08:19,812 --> 00:08:22,642 It's a sound chamber to amplify bellows. 119 00:08:22,642 --> 00:08:25,112 The roar serves to identify individuals 120 00:08:25,112 --> 00:08:27,102 and assess their size. 121 00:08:27,102 --> 00:08:29,545 The bigger the nose, the bigger the bellow. 122 00:08:30,992 --> 00:08:34,692 The alpha male, also known as the beach master, 123 00:08:34,692 --> 00:08:36,375 roars his superiority. 124 00:08:39,132 --> 00:08:43,082 Mating season on the beach can be a noisy affair. 125 00:08:43,082 --> 00:08:45,552 Sight and sound are used to communicate dominance 126 00:08:45,552 --> 00:08:47,185 in the elephant seal's world. 127 00:08:48,522 --> 00:08:52,112 Thanks to the senses, conflicts are usually settled 128 00:08:52,112 --> 00:08:54,115 without a deadly conclusion. 129 00:09:02,572 --> 00:09:05,562 Another animal, where males flex their physical might 130 00:09:05,562 --> 00:09:09,482 to attract the opposite sex, lives down under. 131 00:09:09,482 --> 00:09:13,552 Twice the size of females, and with bulging biceps, 132 00:09:13,552 --> 00:09:16,942 males show off in a bushland gym. 133 00:09:16,942 --> 00:09:20,832 The gray kangaroo lives in semi-nomadic mobs. 134 00:09:20,832 --> 00:09:24,222 Ranging throughout Australia, they prefer open grassland 135 00:09:24,222 --> 00:09:27,312 with areas of bush for daytime shelter. 136 00:09:27,312 --> 00:09:30,192 At dawn and dusk they come out to feed, 137 00:09:30,192 --> 00:09:32,645 grazing on a wide variety of grasses. 138 00:09:37,602 --> 00:09:40,072 Powerful back legs help them to travel at speeds 139 00:09:40,072 --> 00:09:43,335 of up to 65 kilometers per hour with minimal effort. 140 00:09:48,402 --> 00:09:52,782 During breeding season, males compete for females. 141 00:09:52,782 --> 00:09:56,325 Young bucks test their strength with each other by sparring. 142 00:10:02,922 --> 00:10:06,015 This ritualized fighting prepares them for adult life. 143 00:10:12,242 --> 00:10:14,822 In fact, the social life of a mob 144 00:10:14,822 --> 00:10:18,542 is akin to a bar room brawl with constant pushing, 145 00:10:18,542 --> 00:10:21,505 grabbing and shoving, even while feeding. 146 00:10:22,442 --> 00:10:25,342 This tactile behavior serves to communicate 147 00:10:25,342 --> 00:10:26,665 their status in the mob. 148 00:10:31,822 --> 00:10:34,965 But the real action is reserved for the adults. 149 00:10:36,642 --> 00:10:39,362 It starts off with an aggressive grass pulling, 150 00:10:39,362 --> 00:10:42,575 followed by the agitator rubbing their chests on the ground. 151 00:10:44,022 --> 00:10:46,552 Kangaroos have an excellent sense of smell, 152 00:10:46,552 --> 00:10:48,602 spreading the testosterone laced odor 153 00:10:48,602 --> 00:10:51,482 is a way to threaten their rivals. 154 00:10:51,482 --> 00:10:53,252 Scent marking is an important form 155 00:10:53,252 --> 00:10:55,632 of communication in marsupials. 156 00:10:55,632 --> 00:10:58,072 Studies have shown that social status 157 00:10:58,072 --> 00:11:00,292 could affect odor composition and act 158 00:11:00,292 --> 00:11:01,695 as a chemical fingerprint. 159 00:11:02,622 --> 00:11:06,792 Muscle bound males enter wrestling and kickboxing contests. 160 00:11:06,792 --> 00:11:09,862 They lock arms and try to push each other over. 161 00:11:09,862 --> 00:11:12,072 The meter-long tail is used for support 162 00:11:12,072 --> 00:11:13,452 when the back legs are lifted off 163 00:11:13,452 --> 00:11:16,032 the ground to kick opponents. 164 00:11:16,032 --> 00:11:19,115 It is a dominant male that gets to mate the most. 165 00:11:19,992 --> 00:11:22,852 Physical displays matter in the kangaroo world, 166 00:11:22,852 --> 00:11:24,622 not just to intimidate opponents, 167 00:11:24,622 --> 00:11:27,282 but also to woo the ladies. 168 00:11:27,282 --> 00:11:29,522 Lounging males of breeding age have been found 169 00:11:29,522 --> 00:11:32,822 to strike a pose to show off their bulky biceps. 170 00:11:32,822 --> 00:11:35,132 It's thought to be an effective strategy. 171 00:11:35,132 --> 00:11:37,512 Research has shown that males with big muscles 172 00:11:37,512 --> 00:11:40,112 are sexually selected for... 173 00:11:40,112 --> 00:11:42,532 In other words, female kangaroos find 174 00:11:42,532 --> 00:11:44,415 the hunkiest males sexy. 175 00:11:50,382 --> 00:11:52,842 Koalas sleep. A lot. 176 00:11:52,842 --> 00:11:56,915 In fact, for 20 hours a day, that's all they do. 177 00:11:57,832 --> 00:12:01,032 Apart from the occasional itch that needs to be scratched, 178 00:12:01,032 --> 00:12:03,445 but even then they don't wake up. 179 00:12:04,352 --> 00:12:07,872 Their strict diet of eucalyptus provides little nourishment 180 00:12:07,872 --> 00:12:10,472 and they need to conserve energy. 181 00:12:10,472 --> 00:12:14,012 A very slow metabolic rate allows koalas to digest 182 00:12:14,012 --> 00:12:16,372 their food over a long period of time 183 00:12:16,372 --> 00:12:20,352 to make sure as much nutrition is extracted as possible. 184 00:12:20,352 --> 00:12:23,672 Waking hours are spent chewing the fibrous leaves, 185 00:12:23,672 --> 00:12:26,452 and getting enough nutrients is even more important 186 00:12:26,452 --> 00:12:27,815 if you're eating for two. 187 00:12:31,132 --> 00:12:34,435 Joeys are born after 35 days of gestation. 188 00:12:37,062 --> 00:12:39,512 The tiny baby looks like a jelly bean and only 189 00:12:39,512 --> 00:12:41,262 two centimeters long. 190 00:12:41,262 --> 00:12:45,232 It's hairless, blind and has no ears, 191 00:12:45,232 --> 00:12:47,242 but it makes its own way from the mother's 192 00:12:47,242 --> 00:12:49,912 birth canal to her pouch. 193 00:12:49,912 --> 00:12:52,682 Relying on its well-developed sense of smell and touch 194 00:12:52,682 --> 00:12:55,282 to navigate to a teat. 195 00:12:55,282 --> 00:12:58,012 The joey stays with its mom for a year 196 00:12:58,012 --> 00:13:00,842 during which mothers and babies make soft clicking noises 197 00:13:00,842 --> 00:13:03,722 and gentle humming sounds to one another. 198 00:13:03,722 --> 00:13:06,152 Sensory communication strengthens bonds 199 00:13:06,152 --> 00:13:07,685 between mother and young. 200 00:13:25,122 --> 00:13:28,682 A life of eating and sleeping sounds idyllic, 201 00:13:28,682 --> 00:13:32,082 and this tree-hugger seems gentle, placid, 202 00:13:32,082 --> 00:13:34,995 and for all the world, like a cuddly bear. 203 00:13:36,442 --> 00:13:39,112 But when the breeding season arrives in August 204 00:13:39,112 --> 00:13:41,332 there's another much more active 205 00:13:41,332 --> 00:13:44,005 and noisy side to koala life. 206 00:13:48,502 --> 00:13:51,022 The koala's keen sense of hearing is put 207 00:13:51,022 --> 00:13:53,265 to good use in the eucalypt forest. 208 00:13:55,122 --> 00:13:57,392 Males issue sounds with a mixture 209 00:13:57,392 --> 00:14:00,052 of grunting, burping bellows. 210 00:14:00,052 --> 00:14:02,962 The noise is 20 times lower in pitch 211 00:14:02,962 --> 00:14:05,382 than the koala should be able to produce. 212 00:14:05,382 --> 00:14:08,452 A fact that has baffled researchers. 213 00:14:08,452 --> 00:14:11,152 But recent studies have found the answer. 214 00:14:11,152 --> 00:14:14,342 Koalas have two sets of vocal chords, 215 00:14:14,342 --> 00:14:16,555 unlike any other land mammal. 216 00:14:17,552 --> 00:14:20,122 The deep resonating calls of male koalas 217 00:14:20,122 --> 00:14:22,712 can penetrate far across the forest, 218 00:14:22,712 --> 00:14:26,555 advertising his social and physical position to females. 219 00:14:28,712 --> 00:14:31,312 Koalas are mostly solitary and avoid 220 00:14:31,312 --> 00:14:33,652 interactions where possible. 221 00:14:33,652 --> 00:14:38,002 Male koalas have home ranges that stretch over four acres. 222 00:14:38,002 --> 00:14:40,485 Some of these territories may overlap. 223 00:14:41,582 --> 00:14:45,052 A mature male has a gland on his chest that secretes 224 00:14:45,052 --> 00:14:47,812 a dark sticky substance. 225 00:14:47,812 --> 00:14:51,045 He rubs the odor on trees in the overlapping areas. 226 00:14:54,812 --> 00:14:57,512 In this way, koalas use the sense of smell 227 00:14:57,512 --> 00:15:00,212 to communicate their presence to rival males 228 00:15:00,212 --> 00:15:02,205 by scent marking their boundaries. 229 00:15:09,082 --> 00:15:11,782 When it comes to mating rituals and courtship, 230 00:15:11,782 --> 00:15:15,252 birds can out do mammals by sheer showmanship. 231 00:15:15,252 --> 00:15:19,772 The avian world has all manner of visual and vocal displays 232 00:15:19,772 --> 00:15:22,245 to attract attention and impress. 233 00:15:24,192 --> 00:15:26,262 Lyrebirds shake their tail feathers 234 00:15:26,262 --> 00:15:27,985 like a Las Vegas showgirl. 235 00:15:29,292 --> 00:15:32,235 Mannikins moonwalk like Michael Jackson. 236 00:15:40,302 --> 00:15:43,902 Prairie chickens use big boom base that can be heard 237 00:15:43,902 --> 00:15:45,965 over a kilometer away. 238 00:15:48,622 --> 00:15:51,892 Brolga cranes jump, dance and pirouette 239 00:15:51,892 --> 00:15:53,445 like prima ballerinas. 240 00:15:59,222 --> 00:16:02,252 And Magellanic penguins bill tap and flipper pat 241 00:16:02,252 --> 00:16:04,295 like Bavarian slap dancers. 242 00:16:06,832 --> 00:16:10,172 The sooty tern is another avian groover. 243 00:16:10,172 --> 00:16:12,902 Noisy and gregarious at breeding sites, 244 00:16:12,902 --> 00:16:15,845 they form large communities on rocky islands. 245 00:16:24,152 --> 00:16:27,062 The incessant calls of the colony have given 246 00:16:27,062 --> 00:16:29,765 the bird its name; wide awake. 247 00:16:31,102 --> 00:16:33,782 Unlike most terns, they don't dive, 248 00:16:33,782 --> 00:16:36,355 but pluck fish from surface waters. 249 00:16:37,582 --> 00:16:39,462 At the onset of the breeding season, 250 00:16:39,462 --> 00:16:43,552 sooty terns congregate in dense arial swirls off shore 251 00:16:43,552 --> 00:16:45,935 gradually getting closer to the nesting ground. 252 00:16:51,182 --> 00:16:55,042 Courting pairs engage in high flights. 253 00:16:55,042 --> 00:16:56,952 They ascend to great heights, 254 00:16:56,952 --> 00:16:59,885 then glide rapidly down to sea level. 255 00:17:09,502 --> 00:17:13,602 Once the terns settle on the ground, they begin to display. 256 00:17:13,602 --> 00:17:16,372 With thousands of pairs in close proximity, 257 00:17:16,372 --> 00:17:19,362 the honeymoon couple need to stand out from the crowd 258 00:17:19,362 --> 00:17:22,305 to get to know their new partner and form a bond. 259 00:17:24,232 --> 00:17:27,512 Prior to mating, both mates circle around each other 260 00:17:27,512 --> 00:17:29,675 with dropped wings and heads tilted. 261 00:17:36,032 --> 00:17:38,572 Sooty terns are monogamous, 262 00:17:38,572 --> 00:17:43,002 and this visual display serves to form a strong relationship 263 00:17:43,002 --> 00:17:45,795 necessary to rear young over the coming weeks. 264 00:17:46,852 --> 00:17:49,962 Once the pair is formed and eggs are laid, 265 00:17:49,962 --> 00:17:54,292 both parents take turns incubating the eggs in shifts. 266 00:17:54,292 --> 00:17:57,762 When the chick hatches, forging duties are also shared 267 00:17:57,762 --> 00:17:59,845 and sound sense plays a part. 268 00:18:00,952 --> 00:18:03,662 Adults call from the air as they come back 269 00:18:03,662 --> 00:18:05,772 to feed their chicks. 270 00:18:05,772 --> 00:18:10,102 The chick recognizes its parents' voices and calls back. 271 00:18:10,102 --> 00:18:13,362 They continue calling until the chick walks out to meet them 272 00:18:13,362 --> 00:18:15,665 and the family share a fish supper. 273 00:18:21,372 --> 00:18:24,322 The satin bowerbird is not particularly flashy 274 00:18:24,322 --> 00:18:25,525 in the looks department. 275 00:18:30,252 --> 00:18:33,755 But it does have a unique way of getting attention. 276 00:18:37,682 --> 00:18:39,992 What it lacks in colorful plumage 277 00:18:39,992 --> 00:18:43,002 it makes up for by kleptomania, 278 00:18:43,002 --> 00:18:45,742 stealing objects that it considers to be beautiful 279 00:18:45,742 --> 00:18:47,095 and worthy of display. 280 00:18:52,002 --> 00:18:54,772 This bird weaves a bower with thin twigs 281 00:18:54,772 --> 00:18:57,805 in an area to present its treasure for public viewing. 282 00:19:00,172 --> 00:19:01,992 The bowerbird is hoping to catch the eye 283 00:19:01,992 --> 00:19:03,752 of a passing female. 284 00:19:03,752 --> 00:19:06,445 It's particularly fond of blue objects. 285 00:19:11,712 --> 00:19:14,382 Different species have different color preferences, 286 00:19:14,382 --> 00:19:16,905 and researchers are trying to find out why. 287 00:19:17,852 --> 00:19:20,242 One theory is that bowerbirds choose 288 00:19:20,242 --> 00:19:22,892 the pigment that best complements their own coloring. 289 00:19:25,932 --> 00:19:28,812 The hardworking house husband spends a great deal 290 00:19:28,812 --> 00:19:32,962 of time arranging and rearranging his collection. 291 00:19:32,962 --> 00:19:36,002 He's meticulous at maintaining his design. 292 00:19:36,002 --> 00:19:39,282 When a big bird, like a brush turkey, comes wandering in, 293 00:19:39,282 --> 00:19:41,322 trampling his interior decorating, 294 00:19:41,322 --> 00:19:43,785 the poor male has to start again. 295 00:19:57,272 --> 00:20:00,702 But finally, it seems a female has taken interest. 296 00:20:00,702 --> 00:20:03,272 She inspects the bower and its contents. 297 00:20:03,272 --> 00:20:05,452 The bower and the blue treasure are only 298 00:20:05,452 --> 00:20:08,692 an enticement to step into the male's bachelor pad. 299 00:20:08,692 --> 00:20:12,112 The next stage of the courtship is the dance. 300 00:20:12,112 --> 00:20:14,882 The male leaps into action with a ritualized display 301 00:20:14,882 --> 00:20:18,542 of strutting and quivering, all the while 302 00:20:18,542 --> 00:20:21,335 carrying one of the bower decorations in his bill. 303 00:20:26,262 --> 00:20:29,422 To add to the assault on the female's visual senses, 304 00:20:29,422 --> 00:20:30,962 the male accompanies his routine 305 00:20:30,962 --> 00:20:34,052 with a variety of mechanical sounding calls. 306 00:20:34,052 --> 00:20:38,162 If impressed, the female stays in the love shack for mating, 307 00:20:38,162 --> 00:20:41,442 then she will leave to begin nesting duties on her own 308 00:20:41,442 --> 00:20:45,105 while the male readies himself for courting new girlfriends. 309 00:20:48,852 --> 00:20:51,472 Communicating accurate information is important 310 00:20:51,472 --> 00:20:55,052 if you want to get the girl, but there are animals that send 311 00:20:55,052 --> 00:20:57,845 out messages which are far from the truth. 312 00:21:01,202 --> 00:21:05,025 Some predators deceive their prey to make capture easier. 313 00:21:07,252 --> 00:21:09,922 The alligator snapping turtle sits on the bottom 314 00:21:09,922 --> 00:21:11,135 of a pond waiting. 315 00:21:12,292 --> 00:21:16,902 He eats gambusia fish, which feed on mosquito larvae. 316 00:21:16,902 --> 00:21:19,572 Weighing up to 90 kilos, this reptile is one 317 00:21:19,572 --> 00:21:22,385 of the largest freshwater turtles in the world. 318 00:21:24,262 --> 00:21:26,762 The secretive sluggish creature spends most 319 00:21:26,762 --> 00:21:28,812 of the daylight hours hiding. 320 00:21:28,812 --> 00:21:31,525 Moving fast isn't in his repertoire. 321 00:21:35,422 --> 00:21:36,892 The turtle doesn't seem capable 322 00:21:36,892 --> 00:21:40,012 of catching swift moving fish like the gambusia, 323 00:21:40,012 --> 00:21:41,795 but it has a cunning strategy. 324 00:21:44,852 --> 00:21:47,995 It lies in wait with jaws wide open. 325 00:21:48,992 --> 00:21:51,972 On the bottom of the mouth is a worm-like lure 326 00:21:51,972 --> 00:21:54,625 which it wriggles to entice on where he prey. 327 00:21:55,752 --> 00:21:58,642 The powerful sharp edged jaws are capable of severing 328 00:21:58,642 --> 00:22:02,125 a finger, and the fish stands little chance of escaping. 329 00:22:05,612 --> 00:22:08,452 This is predator to prey communication 330 00:22:08,452 --> 00:22:10,895 and visual trickery is the name of the game. 331 00:22:13,662 --> 00:22:16,292 But the title of master trickster should go 332 00:22:16,292 --> 00:22:17,445 to this creature. 333 00:22:18,732 --> 00:22:21,712 Dangerous and cunning, the portia spider 334 00:22:21,712 --> 00:22:23,325 is a master of deception. 335 00:22:24,933 --> 00:22:27,705 Portias are a genus of jumping spider. 336 00:22:42,392 --> 00:22:45,892 Its favorite food is other arachnids, 337 00:22:45,892 --> 00:22:50,892 like this one, a green water spider called a hygropoda, 338 00:22:50,952 --> 00:22:54,322 which produces mat-like webs on leaf surfaces. 339 00:22:54,322 --> 00:22:57,852 The nonsticky silk doesn't snag prey as such, 340 00:22:57,852 --> 00:23:00,992 the web serves more as an arena 341 00:23:00,992 --> 00:23:03,775 for the fast acting hunter to capture its dinner. 342 00:23:08,022 --> 00:23:11,752 The slightest movement is a critical attack queue. 343 00:23:11,752 --> 00:23:15,202 With stabbing fangs, hygropoda is a lethal adversary 344 00:23:15,202 --> 00:23:19,075 for a predator, but the jumping spider is not deterred. 345 00:23:19,932 --> 00:23:22,162 Using a remarkable hunting tactic, 346 00:23:22,162 --> 00:23:24,945 it exploits the water spider's sensitive detectors. 347 00:23:26,122 --> 00:23:29,372 The hunter slowly approaches the web of its prey. 348 00:23:29,372 --> 00:23:32,532 Moving its legs along the web, the portia plucks 349 00:23:32,532 --> 00:23:34,345 the silken strands as it goes. 350 00:23:35,582 --> 00:23:38,302 It's not just testing for movement, but delicately 351 00:23:38,302 --> 00:23:41,785 strumming the threads to arouse the web owner's curiosity. 352 00:23:43,032 --> 00:23:45,452 With stealth as a weapon, the jumping spider 353 00:23:45,452 --> 00:23:47,625 is mimicking its victim's prey. 354 00:23:48,742 --> 00:23:53,672 This unique cryptic stalking is a remarkable strategy, 355 00:23:53,672 --> 00:23:55,522 but that's not all. 356 00:23:55,522 --> 00:23:57,972 Portia spiders are astounding scientists 357 00:23:57,972 --> 00:24:00,422 with their range of hunting behaviors. 358 00:24:00,422 --> 00:24:02,822 Their strategies alter depending on 359 00:24:02,822 --> 00:24:04,855 the species of prey in question. 360 00:24:09,442 --> 00:24:11,602 These red backed spiderlings are defenseless 361 00:24:11,602 --> 00:24:13,372 against the portia's cunning. 362 00:24:13,372 --> 00:24:16,532 They can improvise their tactics in unfamiliar situations 363 00:24:16,532 --> 00:24:18,425 and remember the technique. 364 00:24:21,122 --> 00:24:23,632 Researchers don't understand how a creature 365 00:24:23,632 --> 00:24:26,685 with such a small brain can seem so intelligent. 366 00:24:31,692 --> 00:24:36,372 But what is plain to see is the portia spider 367 00:24:36,372 --> 00:24:39,595 uses the sense of touch to deceive its prey. 368 00:24:48,999 --> 00:24:51,892 (light music) 369 00:24:51,892 --> 00:24:55,699 The senses are the stars on "Animal Super Senses". 370 00:24:56,592 --> 00:24:58,992 In this show we found they are vital 371 00:24:58,992 --> 00:25:01,262 to animal communication. 372 00:25:01,262 --> 00:25:03,892 Visual displays depend on sight, 373 00:25:03,892 --> 00:25:06,692 vocal performances rely on hearing, 374 00:25:06,692 --> 00:25:09,462 and scent trails trust in the sense of smell 375 00:25:09,462 --> 00:25:11,712 to deliver a message. 376 00:25:11,712 --> 00:25:14,622 Without senses, animals couldn't communicate. 377 00:25:14,622 --> 00:25:18,142 They would be isolated and struggle to survive. 378 00:25:18,142 --> 00:25:22,902 Senses truly are sensational, as we've seen. 379 00:25:22,902 --> 00:25:25,952 Find out more amazing powers of animal perception 380 00:25:25,952 --> 00:25:29,936 next time on "Animal Super Senses". 381 00:25:29,936 --> 00:25:33,269 {\an8}(light dramatic music)