Deadly

Did you know that box jellyfish venom can stop a human heart in seconds?

Or that modern scorpions’ ancestors were longer than the tallest humans?

Or that the punching power of a mantis shrimp can shatter bulletproof glass?

Steve Backshall has encountered deadly animals all over the world for over 25 years – and with Deadly he collects his most memorable experiences into a jaw-dropping compendium of fascinating facts about the most dangerous species on our planet.

From ancient predators and cold-blooded killers to lethal lures and biggest bites, Steve revisits some of the best-known and most-feared beasts in the animal kingdom. His encounters include the orca, the most formidable predator on our planet today; the piranha’s unusually powerful bite force (which Steve has experienced first-hand, losing a couple of fingertips in the process!) and the phenomenally painful sting of the bullet ant – so named because a single sting feels like being shot – alongside many more weird and wonderful survival tactics and superpowers of the natural world.

Drawing on his decades of experience in the field, Steve takes a heart-poundingly close look at the greatest record breakers in the animal kingdom, determines who would come out on top in a showdown between the deadliest animals to have ever lived, and uncovers all the drama of his adventures in pursuit of all things Deadly!