Episodes

6 episodes in this season

Adaptability

28 min

Moving

28 min

Protection

28 min

Communication

28 min

Now Playing

Defence

28 min

Sensing

28 min

Secrets of Skin

TV Series

201928m

Documentary

Now playing

Defence

Season 1 · Episode 5 · Dec 19, 2019

What is the most toxic animal on earth? How are porcupine quills helping us in medicine? Why is a rhino armour plated, and it is not to protect them from lions? Professor Ben Garrod discovers the complex ways, from camouflage to deadly toxins, in which the skin helps defend animals against threats of all kinds. From the barbed quills of the North American porcupine to the battering ram of a rhino’s horn, the skin has developed an impressive armoury of weapons and warnings to keep predators at bay. With experiments and specialist factual insight, Professor Ben Garrod reveals the toughest and most resilient of animals defend themselves through their skin. One of the most iconic warnings in nature is that of the rattlesnake. Ben takes a teaching sample of a rattlesnake’s tail to the University of Bristol to test just how fast it can vibrate. He uncovers how poison-dart frogs produce their toxins, and how cuttlefish are the masters of disguise when it comes to hiding in plain sight.

More details

Secrets of Skin

TV Series

201928m

Documentary

Now playing

Defence

Season 1 · Episode 5 · Dec 19, 2019

More details