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Classic ambush predators like crocs and snakes use camouflage and speed to capture their prey – sometimes faster than the blink of an eye. How do they do it? Dr. Brady Barr goes head-to-head with some of the planets most dangerous predators — using cutting-edge technology to film their strikes, analyze them and calculate a “danger zone” for each animal.
Dangerous Encounters: Instant Death premieres Sunday October 10 at 7P et.
Just how quick are these animals?
- The Mantis Shrimp holds the record for fastest punch in the world. Clocking in at 50 mph! So fast it creates a pressure wave that actually boils water and crashes into its prey with the power of a rifle bullet.
- The cheetah can top 70 mph and accelerates twice as fast as some sports cars. Research shows that even if a cheetah had no legs, it could still move at up to six mph – just using its spine. That’s the speed of you running.
- Spitting cobras generate speed to spray their venom by building up pressure in their venom glands; muscles squeeze the gland, while a valve seals it shut. When that valve opens, the venom shoots out with great force.
- A rattlesnake can strike less in than one fifth of a second – literally faster than the blink of an eye. They miss their targets 90% of the time – but they only need to eat once a year.
