Episode 3 - The Crocodile
Veterinary scientist Mark Evans joins experts in
anatomy, evolution and behaviour in a bid to get under the skin of the
crocodile.
The team uncovers the crocodile's incredible jaw muscles, as
biologist Simon Watt travels to Florida to test the huge strength of the
massive reptile's bite: the most powerful in the animal kingdom.
But while crocodiles' spiked teeth are excellent for
gripping prey as they plunge into a death roll, they are useless for chewing.
So how do these animals manage to digest large chunks of raw meat and bone? As
the experts dissect the digestive system and inspect the stomach contents for
clues, they reveal the bizarre plumbing between the heart and the stomach that
might provide the key to this puzzle.
Meanwhile Professor Richard Dawkins explains how little the
crocodile has changed since the age of the dinosaurs.