Life in Cold Blood
Miniseries
TV-G
A nature documentary series written and presented by David Attenborough, that looks at the evolution and habits of amphibians and reptiles.
Where to Watch Miniseries
5 Episodes
- The Cold Blooded Truth
E1The Cold Blooded TruthReptiles and amphibians are as dramatic in combat, colorful in their communication and tender in their parental care as other animals. They also live their lives on a totally different time scale and harness their energy from the sun. The Cold-Blooded Truth reveals the secret of their success. - Land Invaders
E2Land InvadersAmong chorusing frogs in Panama, Sir David Attenborough asks how amphibians first managed to invade the land. The Australian lungfish, an ancient relative of the amphibians that can breathe air, and the giant Japanese salamander, one of the largest amphibians on Earth, give vital clues about their first tentative steps. - Sophisticated Serpents
E4Sophisticated SerpentsThe fourth episode focuses on the most modern reptiles, the snakes, exploring how they have managed to become successful despite their elongated body shape. Attenborough explains how they evolved from underground burrowers to surface hunters, losing their limbs in the process. With the aid of infrared cameras, a timber rattlesnake is shown lying in wait for a mouse and sensing its repeated path before despatching and eating it. A snake's constantly flickering tongue is used to gather and evaluate the molecules of its surroundings, and Attenborough visits Carnac Island to witness a population of blind tiger snakes, which feed on the chicks of nesting gulls. He also confronts a Mozambique spitting cobra, which quickly sprays venom over the presenter's protective face visor. The similarities in colouration between the harmless kingsnake and potentially lethal coral snake are highlighted. An example of a snake that can tackle unusual prey is the Queen snake, which almost exclusively hunts newly-moulted crayfish. A pair of rival male King cobras are seen battling and infant cobras are shown hatching: their venom is immediately as fatal as that of their parents. In Argentina, a yellow anaconda evades nearby caimans to give birth to live young. Finally a turtle-headed sea snake feeds not on fish, but on their eggs laid on a coral reef - Armoured Giants
E5Armoured GiantsThe intimate lives of some of the largest and most impressive animals alive today - crocodiles, turtles and tortoises - are revealed in this final program. All of them are covered in thick scales that have turned into armor, yet, despite their tough exteriors, these animals are capable of astonishing behavior and warm-hearted interaction.
