Ep 5. Croc From Mars
- February 9, 2007
- 46 min
Nick Baker's Weird Creatures season 1 episode 5, titled "Croc From Mars," takes an in-depth look at the fascinating world of crocodiles and alligators. Nick Baker, the wildlife educator, delves into the behavior and anatomy of these ancient reptiles and discovers their incredible adaptability.
The episode begins with a focus on the largest of all crocodiles - the saltwater crocodile. Nick travels to the mangrove swamps of the Northern Territory in Australia, where he joins a team of scientists and wildlife experts on their mission to tag and track these ferocious predators. He witnesses the daunting power of these predators as they launch themselves out of the water to catch their prey.
Next, Nick takes viewers to the USA, where he meets up with an expert in alligators. The American alligator is a smaller relative of the crocodile, but equally fascinating. Nick explores the swamps of Florida and discovers the unique way that alligators breathe when submerged.
The show then turns its attention to the Nile crocodile, which is found throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Nick visits a crocodile farm in Zimbabwe, where he learns about the history of crocodile farming and its impact on the conservation of this species.
But the most intriguing part of the episode is when Nick takes an in-depth look at the crocodiles that inhabit the planet Mars- or at least the proposed crocodiles of Mars. Nick joins a team of astrobiologists who are studying the possibility of life on Mars. They hypothesize that if there was ever life on Mars, it may have evolved to adapt to the harsh conditions of the planet. The theory suggests that Martian crocodiles may have evolved armored scales, to protect themselves from the harsh environment.
Nick's Martian adventure takes him to the deserts of Utah, where he meets with scientists and researchers who work on the Mars Desert Research Station. He learns about their work in testing new technologies and exploring the possibility of terraforming Mars.
The show provides a fascinating glimpse into the world of crocodiles and alligators, showcasing their incredible adaptations and behaviors. The addition of the Martian crocodile theory provides a unique twist to the episode and sparks the imagination about what other creatures may inhabit the far reaches of our universe.