Age Isn't Everything

00:00:37 Reptiles and amphibians are sometimes thought of

00:02:50 And thats just the beginning.

00:04:36 or indeed slightly higher around 37 degrees centigrade.

00:06:41 and they return to the surface

00:08:37 on the basis of which has the best under-floor heating.

00:11:08 Sorry.

00:12:43 sufficiently high for a lizard to warm itself on it on a cold morning.

00:15:04 A cold windswept island off the coast of South Africa

00:18:24 At last the victor loses interest and goes off to find the female

00:20:10 even though its still mostly below ground.

00:22:17 their vulnerable underside

00:24:34 She has chosen a place where the temperature

00:27:20 While being nocturnal is unusual among reptiles

00:29:47 (CROAKING RAPIDLY)

00:32:53 Once its prey is secured a snake can take its time over its meal.

00:35:31 It and the rest of its clutch have only just hatched.

00:38:51 a monster that can grow to a length of 20 feet six metres and weigh a tonne.

00:41:59 at maintaining their temperature than their modern counterparts.

00:44:08 These giants haul themselves up out of the sea along beaches like this

00:46:18 So how do leatherbacks retain that precious and expensive

00:48:35 We needed the help of scientists who really understood these creatures.

00:51:26 We had come in the rainy season when most creatures including reptiles

00:53:16 why night was the best time to look for chameleons.

00:55:34 (WHISPERING) This is a pygmy leaf chameleon