(somber music) - Brave Wilderness has
become culturally synonymous with animal bites and stings. (screams) (dog growls) In the name of science and
entertainment, (exclaims) I've taken on my fair share
of painful encounters. Ooh, it's stuck in my arm! But some bites are far too dangerous when it comes to human trials, so that is where technology comes in. We have teamed up with Ohio HD, one of the Midwest's
premier production houses. Renowned for their arsenal
of high-end equipment, they're considered experts
in executing creative ideas with specialized solutions, and today, we're combining
our talents to bring you into the strike zone. (dramatic music) On this episode, we're going to take you into the slow-motion strike zone of the mangrove snake
and the water moccasin. To capture these predator strikes, we will be using a
Phantom high-speed camera, capable of capturing
1,000 frames per second, at full 4K resolution. Then, by slowing down the footage, we will be able to closely
analyze and break down why these strikes are so
effective and ultimately lethal. - Wow.
- Here we go! Also joining our party is
the Bolt High-Speed Cinebot, which can go from standstill
to high-speed motion in a fraction of a second.
(machine whirs) Yep, it's a robot with a camera for a head that can move faster than a human. Trust me, I was just as
impressed as you are. Now before we enter the strike zone, first, let me introduce our
fearless wildlife experts, Mario Aldecoa and Mike Easter. They will help to ensure that everything goes according to plan. Remember, safety for the animals and our crew is always
the number one priority. There you have it. The cast of characters is
set, so if you guys are ready, let the strikes began. - [Mario] Okay, that's good. Now let's turn it.
(machine whirs) - [Coyote] So where we're
gonna set this up is right here on this amazing tree branch sculpture. Now Mario, are you setting
up for somebody's birthday? (Mario blowing) No, it's no one's birthday. This is a prop. It is a balloon, and we are going to use this
to entice a snake to strike out and hopefully pop the
balloon in slow motion. - [Coyote] Okay, what
snake species is going to be striking at this balloon? - [Mario] We're gonna be
using a mangrove snake. It is a mildly venomous
Colubrid from Southeast Asia. - [Coyote] Okay, fingers
crossed, let's see what happens. - [Mario] Oh, that's
really good, all right. Yeah, this is gonna be it. This, of course, does not
hurt the snake in any way. The only injury will come to the balloon. Okay, ready, ready, ready? Is that good?
- Yeah. (balloon pops)
(Coyote exclaims) (men laugh)
- Oh, that was the one. (hands clapping)
That was it. Wow, okay, so careful with
your camera right there. The snake is still in strike pose. That was a good strike,
that was pretty cool. That noise was loud (balloon pops)
inside of the studio, too. - Yeah.
(machine whirs) Ladies and gentlemen, the
moment you've been waiting for. It's time to enter the strike zone. (tense percussion music) Okay, this is the moment. This is where we review the footage to find out if we got the strike. Man, the shot is crisp. Look at the snake, his
mouth is already gaped open. Here comes the balloon into the shot.
- He's going. - [Coyote] It seems like it lasts forever. I expect it to come so much quicker. - [Mario] Casey, nice,
I see you're panning up. - Yep, that's perfect.
- That's great. - [Coyote] Yeah, you can actually
see the teeth hanging down from the roof of his mouth. - The anticipation!
(men laugh) 1,000 frames a second lasts a long time. Here comes the strike!
- Here goes. - [Coyote] Here it comes! - Oh, man.
- Ooh. - Boom!
(men laugh) Wow, that was incredible! - Oh, that is one heck-
- Oh, my God, that's cool. - Of a shot right there.
- Yeah. - [Coyote] Dancing in the
treetops is no challenge for this arboreal reptile,
and what's more terrifying is that this killer usually hunts at night. Combining it's excellent vision to pick up on even the slightest movement, it's then the snake's forked tongue that ultimately helps this
lethal predator zero in and lock its strike.
(drum thuds) The S-shaped stance allows
the reptile to spring forward, and if the strike is successful, it will hold onto the
prey and begin to chew, maneuvering the victim
toward its rear fangs, where a mild venom is slowly injected. To humans, this bite is not fatal, but to birds, small mammals, and lizards, this is a very slow and agonizing end. (tense guitar music) All right guys, water
moccasin is coming onto set. - [Mario] It's already got the gape going. - [Coyote] Ooh, already in strike pose. Oh, look at that.
- That's nice. - [Coyote] We've got this
log situation set up here, and the hopes is that the
water moccasin's going to coil right here and then we are going to slowly add in a warm water balloon and see if those
heat-seeking pits are capable of striking out and
giving us quite the show. (tail rattles)
Think this is gonna work? - Well, we got the
mangrove snakes to strike. Supposedly, water moccasins
are a lot more aggressive. I think this is gonna work. - [Coyote] Well, let's see some action. We want a water moccasin
strike in slow-mo. Casey, how's that framing look for you? - I'm feeling good here. - [Coyote] Okay, Mike, we
feel good about the snake? - Feel good.
- Okay. I think we're ready. (balloon pops)
(water splashes) (men laugh)
Ooh. - [Casey] Damn, that is sweet! - [Coyote] Wow, what just happened? - He struck at the balloon. I forgot about the water. - Wow, so with virtually insane speed, that snake struck out. Those fangs hit the balloon, an explosion of air and water everywhere. That was going to be one
very epic slow-motion shot. You feel good about that, Casey? - I love that.
- Oh, if Casey likes it, I like it! All right, I say let's review the clip. (tense orchestral music) This is it, reviewing the footage of the water moccasin's strike. Look at that, tongue flicking in and out. Casey, this frame is absolutely perfect. Here we go!
(men chatter) Oh!
- Wow. - Bang.
- Boom. (balloon pops)
(men laugh) - [Coyote] That was amazing! (men chatter)
That water added an unbelievable effect. Dude, Casey, that might've been the best shot of the day right there. Distinguished by its stocky
build and semi-aquatic nature, this New World pit viper is
an accurately lethal striker. Using heat sensitive pits located between the eyes and nostrils, these sensory organs contain
a network of thermal receptors that help detect the heat
signatures of prey items. Even in complete darkness, the pits allow them to strike
with incredible precision, and like a heat-seeking
missile, their bite hits and delivers an explosion
of hematoxic venom. To any prey item, this hit is fatal. To humans, it's a race to the hospital. (tense synthesizer music) In slow motion, you can truly appreciate how fast and accurate the
strike of a snake can be. It's not an experience you want to have, so remember, pay attention to your surroundings when out hiking, and if you come across a venomous snake, always admire it from a safe distance. (machine whirs)
I'm Coyote Peterson. Be brave and stay out
(machine whirs) (balloon pops)
(exhales) of the strike zone. (dramatic music) (laughs) Whoo, great job.
(hands clapping) Hey, coyote pack, if you thought these slow-motion
snake strikes were intense, then stay tuned as we
test out the bite accuracy of three very bizarre-looking creatures. Oh, and if you can't wait, you can watch the next
episode of Strike Zone by joining memberships right now. I promise you, it's wildly entertaining, (drum thuds)
(bear growls) (coyote howls)
(birds chirp)
