Animal Special Forces

Sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch. These are the basic senses that most animals depend upon, but for some, one sense or another has evolved far beyond the rest. This advanced sense, so finely honed, is the secret to the creature’s success. It becomes the essential tool that qualifies this animal for the Elite Corps.

Life began in the water, and for some special forces it remains the ultimate evolutionary proving ground. Highly adapted to their habitat, they’ve become the Navy Seals. From the common pond skater bug to the exotic platypus, these animals rely on sophisticated tactics to glide atop the water’s surface, plunge its deepest depths, and navigate great distances.

Whether the goal is to find a mate or to find a meal, the search process can be daunting. The animals of this episode are masters of patrol and pursuit. Each has tactics that put it at the top of its class. Some are experts at setting traps, others rely on speed, sharp vision, or a remarkable sense of smell. All nail their targets efficiently and effectively.

In the relentless battle for survival, a soldier is only as good as his gear. Whether it’s vision, speed, or sense of touch or smell, this exceptional equipment ups their odds success. From tiny spiders to enormous sperm whales, these animal soldiers are on the front lines. Armed with their evolutionary gear, they are always prepared to win.

You’d think that five senses would be enough, but nature proves time and time again that they’re not. Barn swallows see magnetic fields, sting rays sense tiny electrical charges, and among some animals, the basic five senses get stretched to their limit. These animals are the specialists, who have mastered their own place in the world.

From greedy vultures to gorgeous hummingbirds, being born to fly takes more than just being airborne. These phenomenal fliers need advanced equipment to accomplish their daily missions. The monarch butterfly air force relies on magnetic detection. A dragonfly’s ultra-high-speed visual system works faster than a human eye-blink. These and other special forces command their airspace.