MUMBAI: Sir David Attenborough concludes his epic overview of life on earth with new perceptions of cold-blooded animals in the show Life In Cold Blood. The show is a co-production between BBC and Animal Planet and will air in the UK on BBC One.
Attenborough says, "Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of as slow, dim-witted and primitive. In fact, they can be lethally fast, spectacularly beautiful, surprisingly affectionate and extremely sophisticated."
He first brought viewers Life on Earth, then The Private Life Of Plants, followed by The Life Of Birds, The Life Of Mammals and Life In The Undergrowth.
Now, using the latest in filming technology from the BBC's Natural History Unit – including ultra-high-speed, thermal, miniature and on-board cameras – Attenborough reveals the surprising and intimate lives of the cold-blooded reptiles and amphibians, discovering the secret of their survival. After all, they have ruled the earth for nearly 200 million years and, today, there are well over 14,000 species.
From the largest and most dangerous reptiles on earth demonstrating tender and sensual courtship, to tortoises and horned chameleons jousting dramatically, flashing anolis lizards and waving jacky dragons, the Life In Cold Blood team capture previously unseen behaviour bringing their unknown lives to the screen as never before.
Tiny scarlet frogs engage in sumo wrestling, baby worm-like caecilians feast on their mother's skin, mother salamanders viciously defend their broods against marauders and spectacled caiman are filmed taking care of crèches of up to 100 young.
After each main programme, there is a 10-minute feature, "Under The Skin," produced in collaboration with the Open University in the UK. It follows Attenborough as he examines the technology used by scientists that enable the team to bring this incredible animal behaviour to the small screen.