1 00:00:05,906 --> 00:00:09,843 NARRATOR: There is an island where dragons still roam. 2 00:00:14,815 --> 00:00:17,217 A Jurassic type underworld 3 00:00:17,251 --> 00:00:23,190 where one ancient warlord still rules. 4 00:00:23,223 --> 00:00:27,894 On Dragon Island, every day is a fight for supremacy. 5 00:00:35,335 --> 00:00:39,206 Right now, it’s a kingdom in chaos. 6 00:00:46,413 --> 00:00:50,384 And every challenger wants to be king. 7 00:01:01,528 --> 00:01:04,931 Deep in the remote basin of the Pacific Ocean, 8 00:01:04,965 --> 00:01:07,100 lies ’The Ring of Fire.’ 9 00:01:10,571 --> 00:01:13,741 Boasting 75% of the planet’s volcanoes 10 00:01:13,774 --> 00:01:16,477 and 90% of its earthquakes, 11 00:01:16,510 --> 00:01:20,481 it’s one of the harshest habitats on the planet. 12 00:01:23,317 --> 00:01:27,321 It’s an ancient kingdom of fire and brimstone. 13 00:01:31,224 --> 00:01:35,161 And it’s the perfect setting for a tale of dragons. 14 00:01:38,665 --> 00:01:40,800 Within this restless water-world, 15 00:01:40,834 --> 00:01:44,771 lie the Islands of Southern Indonesia. 16 00:01:44,805 --> 00:01:48,642 Home to the Komodo dragon... 17 00:01:48,675 --> 00:01:51,611 ’King of Lizards.’ 18 00:01:57,584 --> 00:02:05,725 He’s a colossus -- 12 feet long and 250 lbs. 19 00:02:05,759 --> 00:02:11,665 An apex predator, stealthy and persistent on the hunt. 20 00:02:11,698 --> 00:02:17,637 A deadly reptile, forged by a ruthless habitat. 21 00:02:21,908 --> 00:02:27,347 An armored warrior, running at 23 miles per hour 22 00:02:27,381 --> 00:02:31,318 with a rapier-like tail. 23 00:02:33,587 --> 00:02:38,525 ♪ ♪ 24 00:03:04,418 --> 00:03:06,954 But he’s clinging to survival... 25 00:03:06,987 --> 00:03:11,024 only around 5,000 dragons still exist. 26 00:03:15,862 --> 00:03:21,901 Drogo is 20 years old and he’s in the prime of his life. 27 00:03:21,935 --> 00:03:26,907 He embodies the very definition of a ’dragon’... 28 00:03:26,940 --> 00:03:30,677 a mythical beast with a scaly, reptilian body, 29 00:03:30,711 --> 00:03:36,483 a long tail and hooked claws. 30 00:03:36,516 --> 00:03:40,387 Drogo wears the name well. 31 00:03:43,457 --> 00:03:47,861 On this island, being top dragon is not a birthright. 32 00:03:47,894 --> 00:03:51,064 Drogo will have to fight for his territory 33 00:03:51,098 --> 00:03:54,001 and his females. 34 00:03:54,034 --> 00:03:57,938 He’s clawed his way to the top of the food chain, 35 00:03:57,971 --> 00:04:02,909 but is he worthy of his title as ’King’? 36 00:04:05,212 --> 00:04:09,183 In this kingdom, territory is everything. 37 00:04:09,216 --> 00:04:12,453 A good plot on the beach seems idyllic, 38 00:04:12,486 --> 00:04:17,324 but prized real estate comes at a price 39 00:04:17,357 --> 00:04:23,263 and there are many dragons muscling in on the waterfront. 40 00:04:23,296 --> 00:04:27,000 Cyclops is the old king. 41 00:04:27,033 --> 00:04:32,171 He dominated this territory for the past 10 of his 30 years. 42 00:04:32,205 --> 00:04:38,678 Until a younger, stronger rival knocked him off his throne. 43 00:04:38,779 --> 00:04:42,716 Blind and frail, he haunts the beach. 44 00:04:48,388 --> 00:04:52,225 He lost his status and his sight, 45 00:04:52,259 --> 00:04:55,662 and with it, his ability to compete on a level footing 46 00:04:55,695 --> 00:04:58,598 with his fellow dragons. 47 00:05:00,934 --> 00:05:02,903 Exiled to the outskirts, 48 00:05:02,936 --> 00:05:06,573 he ekes out a living from scavenging 49 00:05:06,606 --> 00:05:11,845 and he’s spotted a potential meal, 50 00:05:11,878 --> 00:05:15,782 but he’s not the only one. 51 00:05:15,816 --> 00:05:19,953 In this merciless kingdom, only the fittest will survive, 52 00:05:19,986 --> 00:05:25,725 and Cyclops has lost his dragon hustle. 53 00:05:25,759 --> 00:05:31,832 A younger, fitter contender beats him to the rancid remains. 54 00:05:51,518 --> 00:05:54,121 Like a blind man using a cane, 55 00:05:54,154 --> 00:05:58,025 Cyclops uses his forked tongue to ’read’ his environment 56 00:05:58,191 --> 00:06:00,794 by tasting the air. 57 00:06:00,827 --> 00:06:04,497 His blind eyes may not see clearly into his future, 58 00:06:04,531 --> 00:06:07,300 but he’s got 34-million years of survival 59 00:06:07,334 --> 00:06:10,337 in his past to draw from. 60 00:06:12,372 --> 00:06:18,378 Despite his handicap, this dragon is built to endure. 61 00:06:22,315 --> 00:06:27,787 It’s the start of a new era on Dragon Island. 62 00:06:34,327 --> 00:06:37,130 It was Drogo, the mighty young warrior, 63 00:06:37,163 --> 00:06:39,065 who overthrew the old king, 64 00:06:39,199 --> 00:06:45,238 and he will have to fight to hold onto his new supremacy. 65 00:06:45,338 --> 00:06:51,277 He’s young and virile and he’s making his presence felt. 66 00:06:55,482 --> 00:06:58,452 Unlike Cyclops, Drogo’s pin-sharp eyes 67 00:06:58,485 --> 00:07:03,457 can detect movement almost 1,000 feet away. 68 00:07:06,726 --> 00:07:11,731 He’s focused on his mission and he salivates in anticipation. 69 00:07:14,200 --> 00:07:17,170 As a male dragon in the prime of his life, 70 00:07:17,203 --> 00:07:22,075 he needs to keep an eye out for the competition. 71 00:07:22,108 --> 00:07:24,444 In these early days of dominance, 72 00:07:24,544 --> 00:07:28,481 Drogo must keep the contenders at bay. 73 00:07:32,218 --> 00:07:35,588 Raptor is also hungry for dominance 74 00:07:35,689 --> 00:07:39,626 brazenly parading himself on Drogo’s turf. 75 00:07:48,201 --> 00:07:50,670 If Drogo wants to keep his position, 76 00:07:50,804 --> 00:07:54,708 he’ll need to set a precedent. 77 00:08:07,053 --> 00:08:12,025 ♪ ♪ 78 00:08:26,673 --> 00:08:30,544 Raptor beats a hasty retreat, 79 00:08:30,577 --> 00:08:35,549 but this is just the start of the brawling season. 80 00:08:50,864 --> 00:08:55,836 Drogo patrols his home range. 81 00:09:00,607 --> 00:09:06,813 It’s roughly a square mile of water, beach and forest. 82 00:09:06,846 --> 00:09:10,550 Carrying his heavy body around takes up energy 83 00:09:10,583 --> 00:09:15,521 and Drogo is on the hunt for a meal. 84 00:09:22,796 --> 00:09:27,434 His colossal size is no coincidence, 85 00:09:27,467 --> 00:09:32,238 it’s known as ’Island Gigantism.’ 86 00:09:32,272 --> 00:09:36,076 As the only apex predators on the island 87 00:09:36,109 --> 00:09:39,679 the dragons have thrived unchecked for millennia 88 00:09:39,712 --> 00:09:44,183 and evolved into supersized, salivating hulks. 89 00:09:44,417 --> 00:09:48,221 Big predators need big prey and this dragon is equipped 90 00:09:48,254 --> 00:09:51,724 with a deadly hunting strategy. 91 00:09:51,758 --> 00:09:57,097 His streaming drool is laced with a toxic venom 92 00:09:57,263 --> 00:10:00,500 potent enough to kill prey 15 times his size, 93 00:10:00,533 --> 00:10:03,469 with a single bite. 94 00:10:03,603 --> 00:10:10,443 A giant lizard with a strike as lethal as the deadliest snakes. 95 00:10:10,477 --> 00:10:14,414 He is the ultimate reptile. 96 00:10:18,952 --> 00:10:23,924 ♪ ♪ 97 00:10:28,595 --> 00:10:36,036 It’s early morning and Drogo lingers in his dragon’s lair. 98 00:10:36,069 --> 00:10:43,577 Like all reptiles, he relies on warmth to fire up his system. 99 00:10:43,610 --> 00:10:46,012 At night, the drop in temperature 100 00:10:46,045 --> 00:10:48,247 confines him to his leafy burrow, 101 00:10:48,281 --> 00:10:52,786 which maintains his body heat. 102 00:10:52,819 --> 00:10:57,757 At dawn, the rising sun is his lifeline. 103 00:11:02,562 --> 00:11:08,168 As the sun strikes the island, it fires up Drogo’s engine. 104 00:11:08,201 --> 00:11:13,773 And today there’s an enticing scent in the air. 105 00:11:13,806 --> 00:11:16,275 The cool of early morning is the best time 106 00:11:16,309 --> 00:11:22,315 for a 250 pound dragon to climb a mountain. 107 00:11:26,019 --> 00:11:30,023 This is one of the hottest habitats on the planet 108 00:11:30,056 --> 00:11:35,061 and Drogo lives in constant danger of overheating. 109 00:11:37,330 --> 00:11:42,335 Life is a fine line -- even for a dragon. 110 00:11:48,007 --> 00:11:49,642 High on the hilltop, 111 00:11:49,676 --> 00:11:54,181 Drogo postures like the king of the world. 112 00:11:59,485 --> 00:12:03,022 From here, he can survey his territory... 113 00:12:03,189 --> 00:12:07,226 and scout the talent. 114 00:12:07,260 --> 00:12:11,231 It’s mating season 115 00:12:11,264 --> 00:12:15,168 and he’s already caught the eye of a receptive female. 116 00:12:15,201 --> 00:12:18,871 The climb was worth the energy. 117 00:12:18,905 --> 00:12:22,175 But he’ll have to fight for her favor. 118 00:12:23,977 --> 00:12:30,484 Drogo has his sights set on a potential mate, 119 00:12:30,516 --> 00:12:34,920 but she’s giving him the runaround. 120 00:12:42,662 --> 00:12:47,200 Females in oestrus excrete a pheromone in their feces, 121 00:12:47,233 --> 00:12:52,171 it’s this telltale perfume that lured Drogo to the hilltop. 122 00:12:57,543 --> 00:13:01,947 Only dominant males get to breed... 123 00:13:01,981 --> 00:13:06,486 and he will have to prove himself to this dragon princess. 124 00:13:11,057 --> 00:13:16,296 They size each other up. 125 00:13:16,329 --> 00:13:20,466 Drogo pursues her with mammal-like devotion. 126 00:13:20,500 --> 00:13:24,704 He just needs to get close enough to pin her down. 127 00:13:36,783 --> 00:13:39,686 She rejects him. 128 00:13:44,924 --> 00:13:47,093 His proposition rebuffed, 129 00:13:47,193 --> 00:13:52,265 Drogo will need to fight harder to prove his worth. 130 00:13:59,806 --> 00:14:02,976 His mating attempt shot down in flames, 131 00:14:03,009 --> 00:14:07,447 Drogo has other needs to satisfy... 132 00:14:07,480 --> 00:14:10,149 it’s dinner time. 133 00:14:11,884 --> 00:14:16,789 Life on Dragon Island dances to the tune of the tides. 134 00:14:20,526 --> 00:14:22,395 Isolated from the mainland, 135 00:14:22,428 --> 00:14:25,097 its inhabitants are a melting pot of species 136 00:14:25,131 --> 00:14:30,770 who thrive in exile with little competition for food. 137 00:14:30,803 --> 00:14:32,938 This niche environment is protected 138 00:14:32,972 --> 00:14:36,509 by a great ’moat’ of ocean 139 00:14:36,542 --> 00:14:39,311 and its creatures have evolved unique adaptations 140 00:14:39,445 --> 00:14:45,151 which enable them to survive in isolation. 141 00:14:45,284 --> 00:14:48,254 Tiny fiddler crabs communicate by sign language 142 00:14:48,287 --> 00:14:53,192 using an enlarged claw. 143 00:14:53,226 --> 00:14:55,428 It’s not very dexterous though, 144 00:14:55,461 --> 00:14:59,365 so they use their smaller claw to feed. 145 00:15:05,872 --> 00:15:08,608 Serpent starfish use their highly mobile arms 146 00:15:08,775 --> 00:15:10,644 to snake their way over the rocks 147 00:15:10,676 --> 00:15:13,579 when the tide leaves them exposed. 148 00:15:16,215 --> 00:15:19,418 There are scavengers around, just waiting for the ebb 149 00:15:19,452 --> 00:15:23,456 to uncover a banquet of opportunity. 150 00:15:27,126 --> 00:15:32,865 Wild boars forage for exposed bounty from the sea. 151 00:15:32,899 --> 00:15:35,034 Their large heads act like plows, 152 00:15:35,067 --> 00:15:36,702 while thick, muscular necks 153 00:15:36,803 --> 00:15:40,273 allow them to upturn heavy rocks. 154 00:15:43,242 --> 00:15:45,978 They’re not the only beachcombers. 155 00:15:46,012 --> 00:15:49,249 There’s a hungry dragon on the prowl... 156 00:15:49,282 --> 00:15:55,088 and the hogs are caught in Drogo’s salivating spotlight. 157 00:16:06,799 --> 00:16:09,869 He might not run as fast as a pig on the hoof, 158 00:16:09,902 --> 00:16:14,874 but to Drogo, everything that moves is potential prey. 159 00:16:18,544 --> 00:16:20,479 The sun has reached its zenith 160 00:16:20,513 --> 00:16:23,916 and temperatures are over 100 degrees. 161 00:16:23,950 --> 00:16:26,019 It’s bad news for an 8-foot predator 162 00:16:26,052 --> 00:16:29,856 who can’t control his thermostat. 163 00:16:29,889 --> 00:16:35,495 But today the heat is working to his advantage; 164 00:16:35,528 --> 00:16:39,499 the forest is a sanctuary from the searing sun 165 00:16:39,532 --> 00:16:44,537 and it’s also a good place for predators to go undercover. 166 00:16:48,941 --> 00:16:52,945 Deer and boar take refuge in the shade. 167 00:16:57,316 --> 00:17:01,053 There’s another link in this food-chain. 168 00:17:01,087 --> 00:17:04,757 Grassy ravens are never far from the action. 169 00:17:04,790 --> 00:17:06,392 The island’s tricksters, 170 00:17:06,425 --> 00:17:09,561 they are masters of mischief 171 00:17:09,595 --> 00:17:12,965 with the cunning to adapt to any environment 172 00:17:12,999 --> 00:17:17,537 and seize every opportunity for a free ride. 173 00:17:29,282 --> 00:17:31,417 [bird squaking] 174 00:17:35,288 --> 00:17:38,792 Drogo steadily tracks his quarry. 175 00:17:41,894 --> 00:17:45,264 Dragon tactics are stealth, not speed, 176 00:17:45,298 --> 00:17:49,302 and he has a foolproof navigation system. 177 00:17:49,335 --> 00:17:51,003 His long, forked tongue 178 00:17:51,037 --> 00:17:53,740 is a highly specialized meal-seeking device 179 00:17:53,773 --> 00:17:57,877 which directs him towards his target. 180 00:17:57,910 --> 00:18:00,279 The tips of his tongue sample the air 181 00:18:00,313 --> 00:18:04,284 and collect scent particles. 182 00:18:04,317 --> 00:18:06,052 Every time he retracts it, 183 00:18:06,085 --> 00:18:08,120 his tongue disperses the particles 184 00:18:08,154 --> 00:18:10,156 onto the Jacobson’s organ, 185 00:18:10,189 --> 00:18:14,860 where the scent is analyzed. 186 00:18:15,027 --> 00:18:19,765 The tongue tips also tell him the direction of his prey. 187 00:18:19,799 --> 00:18:21,601 More particles on the right tip 188 00:18:21,634 --> 00:18:26,305 means the prey is to his right and vice versa. 189 00:18:26,339 --> 00:18:30,343 Simple and effective. 190 00:18:30,376 --> 00:18:32,445 By swinging his head left to right, 191 00:18:32,478 --> 00:18:34,780 he can sample large quantities of air 192 00:18:34,947 --> 00:18:39,218 and ’taste’ a carcass up to 2.5 miles away. 193 00:19:02,375 --> 00:19:08,181 Persistence is the name of this game. 194 00:19:08,214 --> 00:19:10,883 Komodo dragons are often referred to as 195 00:19:10,916 --> 00:19:13,685 ’The Land Crocodile,’ 196 00:19:13,853 --> 00:19:15,355 and true to this nickname, 197 00:19:15,521 --> 00:19:20,426 he has the patience and cunning of those iconic reptiles. 198 00:19:38,244 --> 00:19:43,883 On the outside, he’s just a modern-day dragon, 199 00:19:43,916 --> 00:19:50,923 with normal, mundane needs to breed and feed. 200 00:19:59,198 --> 00:20:02,568 [deer moos] [boar snorts] 201 00:20:02,601 --> 00:20:10,375 ♪ ♪ 202 00:20:10,409 --> 00:20:16,682 Despite Drogo’s stealth tactics, his cover’s been blown. 203 00:20:16,716 --> 00:20:18,384 The snitch? 204 00:20:18,417 --> 00:20:22,021 The Timor deer, 205 00:20:22,054 --> 00:20:27,026 a fellow forest dweller and a staple on Drogo’s menu. 206 00:20:27,059 --> 00:20:28,961 The boar escapes, 207 00:20:28,994 --> 00:20:32,898 but for Drogo, it’s all in a day’s work. 208 00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:40,072 This raven won’t get his free meal today. 209 00:20:45,511 --> 00:20:48,948 Drogo continues on his daily patrol. 210 00:20:48,981 --> 00:20:52,918 Perseverance is the dragon’s way. 211 00:21:03,095 --> 00:21:05,497 He’s got company. 212 00:21:07,900 --> 00:21:10,770 Raptor has been tailing him. 213 00:21:17,042 --> 00:21:20,412 Both males are fired up with testosterone, 214 00:21:20,446 --> 00:21:24,417 but they take their time to size each other up. 215 00:21:33,592 --> 00:21:35,494 These ritual scuffles will determine 216 00:21:35,528 --> 00:21:37,997 which dragon gets mating rights, 217 00:21:38,030 --> 00:21:42,568 so that only the strongest genes prevail. 218 00:21:42,601 --> 00:21:50,109 ♪ ♪ 219 00:21:50,142 --> 00:21:58,684 [growling] 220 00:21:58,717 --> 00:22:03,789 ♪ ♪ 221 00:22:26,645 --> 00:22:28,580 Drogo wins this round, 222 00:22:28,614 --> 00:22:31,617 leaving Raptor to eat his dust, 223 00:22:34,086 --> 00:22:38,924 but this duel won’t be settled by just one encounter. 224 00:22:45,231 --> 00:22:48,501 Just like ancient gladiators draped in chainmail, 225 00:22:48,534 --> 00:22:49,969 Komodo dragons are covered 226 00:22:50,002 --> 00:22:54,640 in a complex suit of armored scales 227 00:22:54,673 --> 00:22:59,244 with bony deposits for extra protection, 228 00:22:59,278 --> 00:23:03,315 but it’s still not impenetrable. 229 00:23:07,820 --> 00:23:10,323 Parasitic ticks bulging with dragon blood 230 00:23:10,356 --> 00:23:14,527 have plundered the chinks in Drogo’s armor. 231 00:23:14,560 --> 00:23:17,963 For the most part, they go unnoticed, 232 00:23:17,997 --> 00:23:20,766 but around his mouth, ears and feet, 233 00:23:20,799 --> 00:23:22,834 his scales are connected to nerves 234 00:23:22,868 --> 00:23:27,740 which allow him to feel his environment. 235 00:23:27,773 --> 00:23:30,109 To complete his suit of armor, 236 00:23:30,142 --> 00:23:34,413 he has long hooked claws; part hoof and part nail, 237 00:23:34,446 --> 00:23:38,417 and they are perfect tools for plunder. 238 00:23:45,391 --> 00:23:50,496 His powerful, muscular tail -- the length of his body -- 239 00:23:50,529 --> 00:23:54,867 is both a weapon and a rudder. 240 00:24:07,179 --> 00:24:10,182 Dragons are excellent swimmers. 241 00:24:13,485 --> 00:24:16,755 Using their muscular tails they glide through the water, 242 00:24:16,789 --> 00:24:19,792 like a streamlined torpedo. 243 00:24:26,131 --> 00:24:28,533 They can swim up to a third of a mile away 244 00:24:28,567 --> 00:24:32,504 in search of food and mates. 245 00:24:40,279 --> 00:24:42,181 They have mastered their environment 246 00:24:42,214 --> 00:24:46,185 to keep a stronghold over this ruthless habitat. 247 00:24:55,361 --> 00:24:58,064 Undaunted by his giant cousin, 248 00:24:58,097 --> 00:25:02,168 Draco Volans is a smaller lizard in this neck of the woods. 249 00:25:05,270 --> 00:25:09,908 Unlike Drogo, he doesn’t waste energy on the hunt. 250 00:25:09,942 --> 00:25:11,777 His ingenious camouflage allows him 251 00:25:11,810 --> 00:25:17,783 to sit and wait for prey to come to him... 252 00:25:17,816 --> 00:25:21,853 ambushing them with his sticky tongue. 253 00:25:30,863 --> 00:25:35,401 He’s saving his energy to attract a mate 254 00:25:35,434 --> 00:25:39,405 and it seems there is potential on a neighboring tree. 255 00:25:50,816 --> 00:25:53,052 It’s show time. [♪ salsa music plays ♪] 256 00:25:53,085 --> 00:25:57,423 He displays his bright yellow dewlap... 257 00:25:57,456 --> 00:25:58,924 this makes him look larger 258 00:25:58,957 --> 00:26:02,661 and more attractive to his potential mate. 259 00:26:02,694 --> 00:26:06,798 If that’s not enough, he adds ’Lizard push-ups’ 260 00:26:06,832 --> 00:26:08,901 bobbing his entire body up and down 261 00:26:08,934 --> 00:26:12,438 to ’beef up’ his display. 262 00:26:12,471 --> 00:26:15,741 He’s caught her attention... 263 00:26:15,774 --> 00:26:20,078 and he’s still got a trump card up his sleeve. 264 00:26:20,112 --> 00:26:22,548 He can fly. 265 00:26:22,581 --> 00:26:29,088 Folds of skin attached to his ribs spread out as wings. 266 00:26:29,121 --> 00:26:31,423 It’s an impressive display, 267 00:26:31,457 --> 00:26:35,828 and the flying lizard gets the girl. 268 00:26:43,402 --> 00:26:48,040 It’s time for Drogo to fulfill his purpose. 269 00:26:48,073 --> 00:26:53,579 Breeding season is in full swing and he needs to find a mate. 270 00:26:59,785 --> 00:27:03,789 But there’s still one dragon challenging his mission. 271 00:27:03,822 --> 00:27:07,826 Raptor is also vying for mating rights. 272 00:27:15,334 --> 00:27:22,341 It’s time for Drogo to chase off his nemesis once and for all. 273 00:27:26,678 --> 00:27:30,682 He bears down on his young rival. 274 00:27:33,118 --> 00:27:37,122 Raptor flicks his tail in defiance. 275 00:27:40,893 --> 00:27:45,898 ♪ ♪ 276 00:27:53,572 --> 00:27:54,706 It’s a bad move 277 00:27:54,740 --> 00:27:59,078 when there’s testosterone-fueled dragon on your heels. 278 00:28:04,216 --> 00:28:09,621 Drogo and Raptor are head to head. 279 00:28:09,655 --> 00:28:14,527 Days of antagonism have reached a tipping point... 280 00:28:18,730 --> 00:28:22,734 and it’s time to declare a winner. 281 00:28:23,302 --> 00:28:28,107 ♪ ♪ 282 00:28:28,140 --> 00:28:30,075 [growling] 283 00:28:51,930 --> 00:28:54,399 A female enters the battleground, 284 00:28:54,433 --> 00:28:57,436 fueling the incentive. 285 00:29:04,876 --> 00:29:07,645 [growling] 286 00:29:07,679 --> 00:29:12,617 ♪ ♪ 287 00:29:31,637 --> 00:29:33,572 [growling] 288 00:29:38,310 --> 00:29:43,182 It’s a clash of the titans, but Drogo dominates. 289 00:29:46,251 --> 00:29:48,253 He’s earned his mating rights 290 00:29:48,287 --> 00:29:53,359 and he wastes no time in seeking out his prize. 291 00:29:57,863 --> 00:30:00,132 Beneath the scaly exterior, 292 00:30:00,299 --> 00:30:04,470 the hooked claws and the calculating death stares, 293 00:30:04,636 --> 00:30:08,507 there is a tender underbelly to the beast. 294 00:30:12,511 --> 00:30:15,581 It’s time for Drogo to trade his gladiator role 295 00:30:15,614 --> 00:30:19,451 for a more sensitive persona. 296 00:30:19,484 --> 00:30:25,423 [♪ soft music ♪] 297 00:30:30,696 --> 00:30:34,700 He follows his potential mate towards the forest. 298 00:30:40,339 --> 00:30:42,041 Drogo starts his courtship 299 00:30:42,074 --> 00:30:46,145 by flicking his tongue over the female. 300 00:30:50,615 --> 00:30:54,586 This time he’s not rejected. 301 00:30:54,619 --> 00:31:02,494 He stimulates her with chemical secretions produced in his skin 302 00:31:02,527 --> 00:31:05,397 and carefully mounts her. 303 00:31:05,430 --> 00:31:10,769 He must restrain her completely or risk her vicious claws. 304 00:31:10,802 --> 00:31:15,307 Male dragons have a pair of penises known as hemipenes. 305 00:31:15,340 --> 00:31:19,244 When she is ready, Drogo lifts her tail with his, 306 00:31:19,277 --> 00:31:23,648 and extends one of his two penises into her vent. 307 00:31:34,326 --> 00:31:40,966 His genes secured, the dragons part ways, 308 00:31:40,999 --> 00:31:45,470 each with an important legacy to fulfill. 309 00:31:52,077 --> 00:31:54,479 Outside the shelter of the mystical forest, 310 00:31:54,513 --> 00:32:00,719 the harsh midday sun beats down without mercy. 311 00:32:00,752 --> 00:32:06,992 It’s a tough neighborhood and no place for old kings. 312 00:32:07,025 --> 00:32:14,165 Cyclops is suffering and his weakness doesn’t go unnoticed. 313 00:32:14,199 --> 00:32:17,569 Younger, stronger males taunt him 314 00:32:17,602 --> 00:32:22,607 and take advantage of his frail state. 315 00:32:26,044 --> 00:32:29,848 He’s under constant dominance from the beach dragons 316 00:32:29,881 --> 00:32:34,119 and he’s too weak to scavenge for food. 317 00:32:47,866 --> 00:32:50,268 As the old king slips into anonymity 318 00:32:50,302 --> 00:32:54,072 his usurper is gaining prowess. 319 00:32:54,105 --> 00:32:57,408 Drogo has fought off all his contenders to the throne 320 00:32:57,442 --> 00:33:03,114 and he’s making his mark in the kingdom of dragons. 321 00:33:03,148 --> 00:33:07,719 But to stay battle ready he needs to refuel his tanks. 322 00:33:07,819 --> 00:33:13,658 It’s time to change his hunting strategy. 323 00:33:13,692 --> 00:33:17,930 Although surrounded by crystal clear, Pacific waters, 324 00:33:17,963 --> 00:33:22,201 Dragon Island is a thirsty habitat -- 325 00:33:22,234 --> 00:33:27,406 it’s dry for eight months of the year. 326 00:33:27,439 --> 00:33:29,942 Clean, fresh drinking water is only available 327 00:33:29,975 --> 00:33:32,878 in a few precious pools 328 00:33:32,911 --> 00:33:35,180 and it’s here that all the island’s inhabitants 329 00:33:35,213 --> 00:33:38,116 must congregate to hydrate. 330 00:33:42,254 --> 00:33:44,623 Drogo has an advantage -- 331 00:33:44,656 --> 00:33:47,826 he can store water when he gets the chance. 332 00:33:47,993 --> 00:33:50,796 He takes a long drink. 333 00:34:02,908 --> 00:34:05,577 It should be the ’neutral zone,’ 334 00:34:05,610 --> 00:34:10,048 but there are no rules in this wild kingdom. 335 00:34:11,816 --> 00:34:14,452 Drogo is an apex predator 336 00:34:14,486 --> 00:34:19,524 and this is the perfect place for a midday ambush. 337 00:34:22,594 --> 00:34:25,497 ♪ ♪ 338 00:34:29,301 --> 00:34:31,436 Centuries of co-habitation 339 00:34:31,469 --> 00:34:33,237 have dulled the deer’s flight response 340 00:34:33,271 --> 00:34:37,675 to their slow, lumbering dragon neighbors. 341 00:34:40,845 --> 00:34:43,815 Drogo is hard-wired to kill, 342 00:34:43,848 --> 00:34:49,721 but he’s not built to chase down a fleet-footed deer. 343 00:34:49,888 --> 00:34:51,390 He relies on his venom 344 00:34:51,423 --> 00:34:56,495 to deliver a slow-release assassination. 345 00:34:56,528 --> 00:35:02,434 He just needs to get close enough to deliver the blow. 346 00:35:02,534 --> 00:35:04,603 The deer has a window to drink his fill 347 00:35:04,636 --> 00:35:09,040 before Drogo reaches striking range, 348 00:35:09,174 --> 00:35:11,610 but he’s made a deadly mistake. 349 00:35:13,845 --> 00:35:18,750 Drogo is stealthily gaining ground on his quarry. 350 00:35:41,272 --> 00:35:48,045 The deer lets his down his guard and it’s the wrong move. 351 00:35:50,749 --> 00:35:54,620 Dragons are anything but predictable. 352 00:35:58,890 --> 00:36:03,428 All Drogo needs to secure his meal is one single bite. 353 00:36:11,803 --> 00:36:16,741 ♪ ♪ 354 00:36:31,456 --> 00:36:37,562 A successful strike, unleashes his venom ducts. 355 00:36:37,595 --> 00:36:40,431 As his teeth sink into the flesh, 356 00:36:40,465 --> 00:36:42,901 pressure on his gums forces toxic proteins 357 00:36:42,934 --> 00:36:46,337 through the ducts and up to the surface. 358 00:36:46,438 --> 00:36:50,842 The venom seeps into the bloodstream. 359 00:36:53,878 --> 00:36:56,214 It contains anti-coagulants 360 00:36:56,314 --> 00:37:01,085 which will stop the deer’s blood from clotting. 361 00:37:01,119 --> 00:37:03,488 The victim limps off in shock. 362 00:37:03,521 --> 00:37:07,492 He’s made a getaway, but his days are numbered -- 363 00:37:07,525 --> 00:37:12,964 he will eventually bleed to death. 364 00:37:13,131 --> 00:37:16,234 This slow release death sentence means dragons can hunt 365 00:37:16,367 --> 00:37:21,906 the large prey they need to sustain their huge bodies. 366 00:37:21,940 --> 00:37:30,816 Now all Drogo has to do is to wait and that’s his strong suit. 367 00:37:45,497 --> 00:37:49,167 [flies buzzing] 368 00:37:49,200 --> 00:37:52,036 The deadly drool has run its course 369 00:37:52,070 --> 00:37:56,007 and the smell of carrion lures Drogo to his feast. 370 00:38:17,662 --> 00:38:23,101 His 60 serrated teeth are an inch long and replaceable. 371 00:38:23,134 --> 00:38:26,638 They’re designed to rip and tear into flesh, 372 00:38:26,671 --> 00:38:29,307 but they’re no good for chewing. 373 00:38:29,340 --> 00:38:34,278 He needs to swallow his food whole. 374 00:38:38,049 --> 00:38:40,685 His streaming saliva acts as a lubricant 375 00:38:40,718 --> 00:38:44,755 to help him swallow large chunks of meat. 376 00:38:55,300 --> 00:38:59,638 A breathing tube under his tongue connects to his lungs 377 00:38:59,671 --> 00:39:03,742 so he can breathe while ingesting big portions. 378 00:39:10,949 --> 00:39:15,086 Other dragons get wind of the free meal. 379 00:39:22,527 --> 00:39:25,797 [flies buzzing] 380 00:39:25,830 --> 00:39:28,800 Although Drogo could consume this entire carcass, 381 00:39:28,833 --> 00:39:34,072 he is willing to share as long as he gets to eat first. 382 00:39:40,144 --> 00:39:44,348 Specialized muscles and movable joints in the jaw and throat 383 00:39:44,382 --> 00:39:47,785 allow the dragons to open their jaws unusually wide 384 00:39:47,819 --> 00:39:49,387 while their stomachs expand easily 385 00:39:49,420 --> 00:39:53,791 to accept the incoming meal. 386 00:40:00,064 --> 00:40:06,704 They eat everything; bones, hooves, horns and skin, 387 00:40:06,738 --> 00:40:12,611 and can consume 80% of their own body weight in one sitting. 388 00:40:16,180 --> 00:40:21,452 For Drogo that would be almost 200lbs of meat -- 389 00:40:21,486 --> 00:40:25,557 or 800 quarter-pounders. 390 00:40:36,134 --> 00:40:40,538 The meal will keep him going for a week. 391 00:40:42,407 --> 00:40:47,512 His belly full to bursting, Drogo retreats to the beach. 392 00:40:50,381 --> 00:40:53,517 Lying in the sun will speed up digestion -- 393 00:40:53,685 --> 00:40:57,556 his large meal will poison him if it rots in his gut. 394 00:41:06,264 --> 00:41:09,267 [bird squaking] 395 00:41:11,102 --> 00:41:14,505 While the other dragons have been feasting, 396 00:41:14,539 --> 00:41:19,511 Cyclops has lost his battle against starvation. 397 00:41:23,414 --> 00:41:25,616 Alone in his wasteland, 398 00:41:25,650 --> 00:41:31,289 he waits as the darkness reels him in. 399 00:41:31,322 --> 00:41:34,325 ♪ ♪ 400 00:41:38,496 --> 00:41:44,736 Life on Dragon Island has a constant ebb and flow. 401 00:41:44,769 --> 00:41:48,940 Just as the tides advance and recede, 402 00:41:49,040 --> 00:41:53,278 so the dragon population shrinks and grows. 403 00:41:53,311 --> 00:41:56,314 ♪ ♪ 404 00:42:07,425 --> 00:42:12,297 Today there is one less king on the Island of Dragons. 405 00:42:25,743 --> 00:42:28,713 But the tide is turning... 406 00:42:33,151 --> 00:42:38,023 and in its wake a new generation of dragons emerge. 407 00:42:52,203 --> 00:42:55,540 The baby dragons weigh less than 3.5 ounces 408 00:42:55,573 --> 00:42:59,544 and measure 16 inches. 409 00:43:12,857 --> 00:43:18,496 They stick to the forested areas 410 00:43:18,529 --> 00:43:22,533 and climb trees to stow away from predators, 411 00:43:29,073 --> 00:43:33,077 especially their own kind. 412 00:43:33,111 --> 00:43:35,480 Dragons are cannibals 413 00:43:35,513 --> 00:43:41,519 and the new hatchlings are now part of the food chain. 414 00:43:41,552 --> 00:43:45,689 Only 20% will make it to adulthood, 415 00:43:45,723 --> 00:43:49,460 but for now Drogo has succeeded in his mission 416 00:43:49,494 --> 00:43:53,365 and secured his lineage. 417 00:44:11,582 --> 00:44:15,719 As dawn breaks on a new generation, 418 00:44:15,820 --> 00:44:19,791 Drogo resumes his daily routine. 419 00:44:25,863 --> 00:44:30,801 Here is the largest living lizard. 420 00:44:33,804 --> 00:44:39,810 A patient predator undaunted by the size and speed of his prey. 421 00:44:42,246 --> 00:44:47,017 A venomous dragon, who has carved out his niche 422 00:44:47,051 --> 00:44:53,424 amongst ancient volcanoes and tempestuous seas. 423 00:44:53,457 --> 00:44:58,462 An armored gladiator who has beaten down his foes. 424 00:45:04,969 --> 00:45:10,541 A giant with the agility to climb a tree and swim an ocean. 425 00:45:10,575 --> 00:45:19,551 ♪ ♪ 426 00:45:35,700 --> 00:45:40,805 He’s taken his throne in the harsh Land of the Dragons, 427 00:45:40,838 --> 00:45:44,442 and he has earned his title... 428 00:45:44,542 --> 00:45:48,613 he is the Lizard King.