Borneo

Traveling to Borneo? Find out what you're in for first.

What Dr. Mike encounters in Borneo:

Water Monitor
With local help, Mike hunts down a large and well-armed water monitor in the forest -- it's recently been discovered that its bite is venomous.

Weaver Ants
Mike marvels at the architectural excellence and building skills of weaver ants, only to discover (along with the film crew) that they have painfully effective ways of defending their territory.

Rattan/Tetanus
Exposing himself to open wounds by struggling through the rainforest undergrowth, Mike is advised to have a tetanus jab to ward off a condition that could leave him paralyzed and unable to breathe.

Monkey Malaria
Mike meets a bunch of bizarre-looking proboscis monkeys whose large noses help attract females. They're increasingly feared for passing on a devastating new strain of malaria to humans via the mosquitoes that feed on them.

Tiger Leech
Dr. Mike is ambushed by a group of very tenacious leeches.

Guano/Cockroach
Mike heads to the remarkable and deadly Gomantong Caves where he finds and climbs up a huge pile of guano (bat excrement) and introduces us to the cockroaches that feed off it.

Slow Loris
In the dead of night, Mike tracks down the cuddly-looking Slow Loris. But due to the fact that it's one of a tiny number of mammals with a venomous bite and has been known to kill humans, he cautions against getting too close.

Mud Crab
Mike heads out on the river to catch a mud crab and demonstrates the effectiveness of its remarkably powerful claws. He also explains how their tough shells make their sexual liaisons a long-term affair.

Hauran Fish
Mike goes net-fishing Borneo-style to catch a fish that contains an amino acid that can ease pain and help our wounds heal more quickly.

Pitcher Plant
Mike treks up Mount Kinabulu to study a remarkable plant that's evolved in its barren surroundings to digest virtually anything that comes its way –- even small mammals.

Stag Beetle
Dr. Mike chances on a stag beetle in the forest and explains how it got its name –- it has antlers to joust with.

Pit Viper
With local help, Mike tracks down a highly venomous snake that hangs off trees to catch its prey.

Sago Grub
Mike heads to market to try a local delicacy found in the highly toxic sago palm tree –- the sago grub.