WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.033 Feed your dog's wild side. 2 00:00:00.033 --> 00:00:01.401 (dramatic music) 3 00:00:01.401 --> 00:00:03.303 Next on Survival Science, 4 00:00:03.303 --> 00:00:05.772 Nick Mundt and Laura Schara are on the hunt 5 00:00:05.772 --> 00:00:08.241 for a killer: the mountain lion. 6 00:00:08.241 --> 00:00:10.810 Using high-tech tools, they reveal the secrets 7 00:00:10.810 --> 00:00:13.546 to the mountain lion's stealthy power. 8 00:00:13.546 --> 00:00:15.682 From its sheer strength and speed 9 00:00:15.682 --> 00:00:19.519 to its ability to see a world invisible to humans. 10 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:21.454 - [Both] Mountain lion! 11 00:00:21.454 --> 00:00:23.723 - [Narrator] Then they'll take one for science 12 00:00:23.723 --> 00:00:27.093 to see whether humans even have the speed to react 13 00:00:27.093 --> 00:00:29.396 against a killer cat. 14 00:00:29.396 --> 00:00:30.263 (cheering) 15 00:00:30.263 --> 00:00:33.233 (electronic beeping) 16 00:00:33.233 --> 00:00:36.469 (urban keyboard music) 17 00:00:40.073 --> 00:00:41.541 - Welcome back to Survival Science. 18 00:00:41.541 --> 00:00:42.942 You're probably wondering what we're doing 19 00:00:42.942 --> 00:00:44.444 here in the concrete jungle. 20 00:00:44.444 --> 00:00:47.380 (urban keyboard music) 21 00:00:47.380 --> 00:00:49.816 - Yeah, we're at Tempest Freerunning Academy, 22 00:00:49.816 --> 00:00:51.051 and we're here to study the science 23 00:00:51.051 --> 00:00:53.253 behind what I like to call nature's ninja: 24 00:00:53.253 --> 00:00:54.754 the mountain lion. 25 00:00:55.955 --> 00:00:57.424 - The mountain lion is one of North America's 26 00:00:57.424 --> 00:00:59.492 largest predators, and what makes them so lethal 27 00:00:59.492 --> 00:01:01.194 is their speed, stealth, and actually, 28 00:01:01.194 --> 00:01:02.595 their ability to hunt at night. 29 00:01:02.595 --> 00:01:04.864 - Yeah, one of the most dangerous predators in America. 30 00:01:04.864 --> 00:01:06.666 There's a lot of history between mountain lions 31 00:01:06.666 --> 00:01:08.535 attacking humans, and we're gonna find out 32 00:01:08.535 --> 00:01:10.703 just what kind of predator we're dealing with. 33 00:01:10.703 --> 00:01:11.671 - That's a little scary. 34 00:01:11.671 --> 00:01:12.605 - Yeah. (chuckles) 35 00:01:12.605 --> 00:01:13.840 - And what the heck was that? 36 00:01:13.840 --> 00:01:15.008 - I don't know, let's go find out. 37 00:01:15.008 --> 00:01:16.076 (both laughing) 38 00:01:16.076 --> 00:01:17.944 (dramatic music) 39 00:01:17.944 --> 00:01:19.913 - [Narrator] Also known as cougars and pumas, 40 00:01:19.913 --> 00:01:24.250 mountain lions roam vast swaths of North America, 41 00:01:24.250 --> 00:01:27.787 plentiful wherever game is abundant. 42 00:01:27.787 --> 00:01:29.422 At nine feet from the tip of the nose 43 00:01:29.422 --> 00:01:32.392 to the end of the tail, an adult male can weigh in 44 00:01:32.392 --> 00:01:33.726 at over 160 lbs! 45 00:01:37.130 --> 00:01:39.432 A mountain lion's hind limbs are actually longer 46 00:01:39.432 --> 00:01:41.401 than their front legs, 47 00:01:41.401 --> 00:01:45.572 which allow these nimble cats to jump as high as 15 feet. 48 00:01:47.941 --> 00:01:51.010 (electronic beeping) 49 00:01:57.383 --> 00:01:58.885 - So we're gonna take a look at one 50 00:01:58.885 --> 00:02:00.420 of the special adaptations that make these animals 51 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:02.889 such efficient killers: their eyes. 52 00:02:02.889 --> 00:02:04.891 They see they world a lot differently than we do! 53 00:02:04.891 --> 00:02:06.392 So how are we gonna study them, Laura? 54 00:02:06.392 --> 00:02:07.827 - Well, Nick, we're fortunate enough to have 55 00:02:07.827 --> 00:02:09.529 some technology here that will allow us to see 56 00:02:09.529 --> 00:02:10.930 the world just like they do. 57 00:02:10.930 --> 00:02:13.166 - Yeah. Here inside Tempest Freerunning Academy, 58 00:02:13.166 --> 00:02:15.201 we're gonna set up a special obstacle course 59 00:02:15.201 --> 00:02:17.904 that simulates the mountain lion's natural habitat. 60 00:02:17.904 --> 00:02:19.939 We've got our parkour expert here, Josh. 61 00:02:19.939 --> 00:02:22.509 And Josh, what are you gonna do to be our mountain lion? 62 00:02:22.509 --> 00:02:24.611 - Well, I can't imitate a mountain lion exactly, 63 00:02:24.611 --> 00:02:27.313 but I can use the stealthiness, the sneaking, 64 00:02:27.313 --> 00:02:30.550 the prowling, pouncing, much like I do with the parkour. 65 00:02:30.550 --> 00:02:32.452 - Okay, really show us what you got. 66 00:02:32.452 --> 00:02:34.020 Really mountain lion stealthy. 67 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:35.488 He's agile, he can go from tree to tree, 68 00:02:35.488 --> 00:02:36.956 from rock to rock. 69 00:02:36.956 --> 00:02:38.324 - I think we should pull out some of the technology, 70 00:02:38.324 --> 00:02:39.859 and start playing with that a little bit. 71 00:02:39.859 --> 00:02:41.628 - Sounds good. - Yeah! 72 00:02:42.929 --> 00:02:44.230 Well, Nick, as you can see, 73 00:02:44.230 --> 00:02:45.632 we have just a little bit of technology here 74 00:02:45.632 --> 00:02:47.066 to help us take down our mountain lion, 75 00:02:47.066 --> 00:02:48.501 because we're gonna play a little game 76 00:02:48.501 --> 00:02:50.103 of technical laser tag! 77 00:02:50.103 --> 00:02:52.238 - Sweet, and what we've got are these sensors, 78 00:02:52.238 --> 00:02:53.206 and we're gonna put these sensors 79 00:02:53.206 --> 00:02:54.707 on our mountain lion, Josh here. 80 00:02:54.707 --> 00:02:57.143 Infrared, very similar to the TV remote control, 81 00:02:57.143 --> 00:02:58.478 you can't see the light or anything, 82 00:02:58.478 --> 00:03:00.246 but when you make a hit, you're gonna know it. 83 00:03:00.246 --> 00:03:01.581 Josh is gonna bounce around the room, 84 00:03:01.581 --> 00:03:03.183 and we're gonna see if we can take him out! 85 00:03:03.183 --> 00:03:04.717 - I love it! 86 00:03:04.717 --> 00:03:05.885 Well, we have Steve here from Battlefield LIVE Bakersfield, 87 00:03:05.885 --> 00:03:07.120 and Steve, you're gonna tell us what kind 88 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:08.955 of weapon options we have here. 89 00:03:08.955 --> 00:03:10.356 - Yes, so you have a few different options. 90 00:03:10.356 --> 00:03:14.661 The M4 and M16, a Commando, a Mini Scorpion, 91 00:03:14.661 --> 00:03:16.062 a Scorpion, a Cobra. 92 00:03:16.062 --> 00:03:17.497 We got a lot of different models here today. 93 00:03:17.497 --> 00:03:18.464 - Wow, I want that big one. 94 00:03:18.464 --> 00:03:19.399 - You want this one right here? 95 00:03:19.399 --> 00:03:22.035 - Yes, the M4, look at that! 96 00:03:22.035 --> 00:03:22.869 - Oh yeah, baby! 97 00:03:22.869 --> 00:03:23.703 - You know what? 98 00:03:23.703 --> 00:03:24.537 I'll go Commando. 99 00:03:24.537 --> 00:03:25.371 (laughs) 100 00:03:25.371 --> 00:03:26.873 Awesome! 101 00:03:26.873 --> 00:03:28.708 - You're in trouble, Josh! - That's right, better run! 102 00:03:28.708 --> 00:03:29.642 (dramatic music) 103 00:03:29.642 --> 00:03:31.177 This mountain lion's goin' down! 104 00:03:31.177 --> 00:03:32.679 (Nick laughs) 105 00:03:32.679 --> 00:03:35.315 Time to play a little game of hide and seek, my friend! 106 00:03:35.315 --> 00:03:38.051 - In five, four, three, two, one! 107 00:03:39.886 --> 00:03:41.421 - [Laura] Ready or not, here we come! 108 00:03:41.421 --> 00:03:42.789 (dramatic music) 109 00:03:42.789 --> 00:03:44.424 - [Nick] Go back into the thick of it. 110 00:03:44.424 --> 00:03:46.392 - [Narrator] For our first test, 111 00:03:46.392 --> 00:03:50.029 we'll try hunting the cat in broad daylight. 112 00:03:50.029 --> 00:03:52.999 Mountain lions are largely solitary creatures, 113 00:03:52.999 --> 00:03:55.435 with single adults roaming huge areas, 114 00:03:55.435 --> 00:03:58.271 stalking and hunting prey at night. 115 00:03:58.271 --> 00:04:02.308 With their stealth, speed, and special adaptations, 116 00:04:02.308 --> 00:04:05.144 these cats are predatory machines. 117 00:04:06.646 --> 00:04:07.814 - [Nick] Whoa! 118 00:04:08.982 --> 00:04:11.584 - [Laura] That was unbelievable! 119 00:04:11.584 --> 00:04:13.886 (security alarm) 120 00:04:13.886 --> 00:04:15.388 - [Narrator] Inside their large paws 121 00:04:15.388 --> 00:04:19.192 are sets of two-inch retractable and needle-sharp claws, 122 00:04:19.192 --> 00:04:21.828 designed to latch onto thick skin... 123 00:04:21.828 --> 00:04:23.830 Or Laura. (Laura shrieks) 124 00:04:23.830 --> 00:04:25.632 Fortunately, our cat doesn't have 125 00:04:25.632 --> 00:04:27.533 real mountain lion weapons. 126 00:04:27.533 --> 00:04:29.636 These cats sport three-inch canines, 127 00:04:29.636 --> 00:04:32.905 perfectly adapted for ripping into flesh and muscle. 128 00:04:32.905 --> 00:04:34.774 - Here kitty kitty! 129 00:04:34.774 --> 00:04:36.476 - [Narrator] Josh has shown that a mountain lion 130 00:04:36.476 --> 00:04:39.045 is a formidable predator, even in daylight. 131 00:04:39.045 --> 00:04:40.580 (gunfire) 132 00:04:40.580 --> 00:04:42.582 But so far, we've left out one of the mountain lion's 133 00:04:42.582 --> 00:04:45.485 most dangerous weapons: night vision. 134 00:04:45.485 --> 00:04:46.419 (gunfire) 135 00:04:46.419 --> 00:04:47.453 - [Laura] Ooh, that was fun! 136 00:04:47.453 --> 00:04:48.921 - You got me! 137 00:04:48.921 --> 00:04:50.156 (laughing) 138 00:04:50.156 --> 00:04:52.091 I was trying to stay above. 139 00:04:52.091 --> 00:04:53.559 Put the mountain lion in his environment. 140 00:04:53.559 --> 00:04:54.560 Let's turn the lights off, 141 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:56.062 give me night vision, 142 00:04:56.062 --> 00:04:57.430 you guys-- - Have nothin'. 143 00:04:57.430 --> 00:04:58.665 - Okay, sounds good. 144 00:04:58.665 --> 00:04:59.666 Looks like you're nice and tired now, 145 00:04:59.666 --> 00:05:00.700 so it should be a little easier. 146 00:05:00.700 --> 00:05:01.634 (Laura laughs) 147 00:05:01.634 --> 00:05:02.368 Alright, I'll get the lights. 148 00:05:02.368 --> 00:05:03.770 - Okay. 149 00:05:03.770 --> 00:05:06.706 - [Nick] Four, three, two, one! 150 00:05:06.706 --> 00:05:09.208 (dramatic music) 151 00:05:09.208 --> 00:05:10.643 - [Laura] Well, the lights are off 152 00:05:10.643 --> 00:05:12.445 and I think it's the blind leading the blind at the moment, 153 00:05:12.445 --> 00:05:13.579 'cause I can't see a thing. 154 00:05:13.579 --> 00:05:14.781 - This is gonna definitely 155 00:05:14.781 --> 00:05:17.150 simulate kind of a moonlight atmosphere. 156 00:05:17.150 --> 00:05:19.252 Cat in the mountains, make your move, 157 00:05:19.252 --> 00:05:21.120 or we're gonna try to shoot you, okay? 158 00:05:21.120 --> 00:05:22.622 - [Laura] That's right! 159 00:05:22.622 --> 00:05:23.556 - Give us one meow so we can hear where you're at! 160 00:05:23.556 --> 00:05:25.024 (Josh meows in the distance) 161 00:05:25.024 --> 00:05:28.294 - [Laura] There we go! - [Nick] Three, two, one! 162 00:05:28.294 --> 00:05:30.263 - [Narrator] While Josh can see everything around him 163 00:05:30.263 --> 00:05:34.033 with night vision, Nick and Laura can only guess 164 00:05:34.033 --> 00:05:35.368 and shoot at random. 165 00:05:35.368 --> 00:05:38.204 (dramatic music) 166 00:05:38.204 --> 00:05:40.073 - [Laura] Why is he so quiet? 167 00:05:40.073 --> 00:05:40.973 - 'Cause he's a cat! 168 00:05:40.973 --> 00:05:43.576 (Laura laughs) 169 00:05:43.576 --> 00:05:45.244 - [Laura] I think he went over to the rocks on there. 170 00:05:45.244 --> 00:05:47.914 (dramatic music) 171 00:05:56.055 --> 00:05:57.290 - [Nick] See any movement? 172 00:05:57.290 --> 00:05:59.058 - [Laura] I think he's around this corner. 173 00:05:59.058 --> 00:06:01.794 (dramatic music) 174 00:06:03.162 --> 00:06:07.200 - [Narrator] Now, the hunters are becoming the hunted. 175 00:06:09.669 --> 00:06:11.871 Nick and Laura are testing the sensitivity 176 00:06:11.871 --> 00:06:13.573 of a mountain lion's vision. (mountain lion growls) 177 00:06:13.573 --> 00:06:14.407 - I want that big one. 178 00:06:14.407 --> 00:06:16.376 - You'd better run! 179 00:06:16.376 --> 00:06:18.111 - [Narrator] Now, they'll hunt in the dark, 180 00:06:18.111 --> 00:06:20.413 while Josh wears night vision goggles 181 00:06:20.413 --> 00:06:22.949 that allow him to see like a cat. 182 00:06:22.949 --> 00:06:24.650 (suspenseful music) 183 00:06:24.650 --> 00:06:25.885 - [Nick] See any movement? 184 00:06:25.885 --> 00:06:28.855 - [Laura] I think he's around this corner. 185 00:06:28.855 --> 00:06:30.790 - [Narrator] In the blackness, Nick and Laura's eyes 186 00:06:30.790 --> 00:06:32.825 are playing tricks on them. 187 00:06:32.825 --> 00:06:35.762 They imagine Josh is still perched up high, 188 00:06:35.762 --> 00:06:37.797 when actually, this mountain lion 189 00:06:37.797 --> 00:06:40.099 is flanking them to attack. 190 00:06:40.099 --> 00:06:43.102 (suspenseful music) 191 00:06:46.773 --> 00:06:49.575 (gunfire) 192 00:06:49.575 --> 00:06:51.043 - You see him up there? 193 00:06:51.043 --> 00:06:51.978 - Yeah, I can see his head peeking around there, 194 00:06:51.978 --> 00:06:55.248 but he's too scared to come out! 195 00:06:55.248 --> 00:06:57.583 (footsteps) 196 00:07:00.887 --> 00:07:01.788 (Josh growls loudly) 197 00:07:01.788 --> 00:07:02.955 (Laura shrieks) (gunfire) 198 00:07:02.955 --> 00:07:03.923 - Hey, guys! 199 00:07:03.923 --> 00:07:06.058 (all laughing) 200 00:07:06.058 --> 00:07:08.060 - You got us, your paws are on us! 201 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:09.529 - Now I think I need to change my underwear. 202 00:07:09.529 --> 00:07:11.564 (Laura laughs) 203 00:07:11.564 --> 00:07:14.133 - I think it's safe to say we had a disadvantage here. 204 00:07:14.133 --> 00:07:16.836 - For sure, the special equipped eyes, all the stealth. 205 00:07:16.836 --> 00:07:18.971 The mountain lion definitely has a major advantage, 206 00:07:18.971 --> 00:07:20.473 especially in the dark. 207 00:07:20.473 --> 00:07:21.874 - Oh, for sure. We just became dinner real quick. 208 00:07:21.874 --> 00:07:23.142 I couldn't see a thing! 209 00:07:23.142 --> 00:07:24.811 - That was really funny. We appreciate your help. 210 00:07:24.811 --> 00:07:26.112 You're one heck of a mountain lion! 211 00:07:26.112 --> 00:07:27.346 - [Laura] No kidding. 212 00:07:27.346 --> 00:07:28.614 Well, I'm ready for round three. Are you? 213 00:07:28.614 --> 00:07:29.849 - Let's do it. You better run, buddy. 214 00:07:29.849 --> 00:07:30.616 - [Laura] You better run for it, Josh! 215 00:07:30.616 --> 00:07:32.218 (gunfire) 216 00:07:32.218 --> 00:07:33.619 (Laura laughs) 217 00:07:33.619 --> 00:07:35.321 (dramatic music) 218 00:07:35.321 --> 00:07:36.355 - [Narrator] Seeing a mountain lion 219 00:07:36.355 --> 00:07:38.691 before it sees you is one thing, 220 00:07:38.691 --> 00:07:40.960 but reacting fast enough to protect yourself 221 00:07:40.960 --> 00:07:42.962 is quite another. 222 00:07:42.962 --> 00:07:45.031 With three times more mountain lion attacks 223 00:07:45.031 --> 00:07:46.833 than bear attacks each year, 224 00:07:46.833 --> 00:07:49.735 it's not a far-fetched possibility. 225 00:07:49.735 --> 00:07:51.471 - Well, unfortunately, mountain lions and humans 226 00:07:51.471 --> 00:07:53.139 share a lot of the same habitat, 227 00:07:53.139 --> 00:07:55.341 so encounters are becoming more and more frequent. 228 00:07:55.341 --> 00:07:57.210 - Well, that brings us to our next experiment. 229 00:07:57.210 --> 00:07:58.811 We're gonna see if you're a hunter, 230 00:07:58.811 --> 00:08:01.581 and you're attacked by a mountain lion, 231 00:08:01.581 --> 00:08:03.749 would your reaction time be fast enough to save yourself? 232 00:08:03.749 --> 00:08:05.084 - I dunno if it would even matter. 233 00:08:05.084 --> 00:08:06.252 - I'm thinking that, but we're gonna try! 234 00:08:06.252 --> 00:08:07.620 (both chuckle) 235 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:09.489 - [Narrator] Human performance expert David Sandler 236 00:08:09.489 --> 00:08:12.425 will help us with this paintball experiment. 237 00:08:12.425 --> 00:08:15.461 - So we're gonna set up a surprise mountain lion attack, 238 00:08:15.461 --> 00:08:16.696 so we can test your skills 239 00:08:16.696 --> 00:08:18.364 and see if you can take out the animal. 240 00:08:18.364 --> 00:08:19.832 - Whoa, whoa, whoa. 241 00:08:19.832 --> 00:08:21.234 Mountain lion? 242 00:08:21.234 --> 00:08:23.402 - Well, it'd be a simulated version of 'em, man. 243 00:08:23.402 --> 00:08:25.238 You're gonna be able to see if you can react in time 244 00:08:25.238 --> 00:08:27.073 to save your life. 245 00:08:27.073 --> 00:08:29.342 - How will you measure our reaction? 246 00:08:29.342 --> 00:08:30.576 - Well, we have accelerometers 247 00:08:30.576 --> 00:08:32.111 that we're gonna mount on your arm, 248 00:08:32.111 --> 00:08:34.146 and that's gonna be able to measure your reaction time. 249 00:08:34.146 --> 00:08:36.148 - Cool. - Think you're a quick draw? 250 00:08:36.148 --> 00:08:38.017 - I dunno, we'll see! 251 00:08:38.017 --> 00:08:40.019 - This is gonna be a lot more difficult than it may seem. 252 00:08:40.019 --> 00:08:41.621 - Alright, let's go put together our mountain lion. 253 00:08:41.621 --> 00:08:42.788 - Let's do it. 254 00:08:44.323 --> 00:08:46.125 - Okay, guys, so this is our mountain lion. 255 00:08:46.125 --> 00:08:48.294 And what it is, it's compressed air. 256 00:08:48.294 --> 00:08:50.396 Right now we've got it set at 50 psi. 257 00:08:50.396 --> 00:08:52.465 It can go up to about 120 psi, 258 00:08:52.465 --> 00:08:55.401 but we're at 50 because we don't wanna take over the space. 259 00:08:55.401 --> 00:08:57.103 - Thanks, Nick, I appreciate that. 260 00:08:57.103 --> 00:08:58.538 (Nick laughs) 261 00:08:58.538 --> 00:09:02.308 Well, I have the most important thing, our mountain lion! 262 00:09:02.308 --> 00:09:03.709 And I don't know if you know this, Nick, 263 00:09:03.709 --> 00:09:05.444 but mountain lions can travel up to 40 miles an hour 264 00:09:05.444 --> 00:09:07.146 in two bounds. 265 00:09:07.146 --> 00:09:08.681 - Yeah, that's a lot. 266 00:09:08.681 --> 00:09:09.882 - The fact that we have the machine set at 50 psi, 267 00:09:09.882 --> 00:09:11.717 when the ball leaves the launcher, 268 00:09:11.717 --> 00:09:13.119 it'll be traveling at 40 miles an hour, 269 00:09:13.119 --> 00:09:14.754 so this is a very accurate test. 270 00:09:14.754 --> 00:09:16.656 - Okay, very good. You get out there-- 271 00:09:16.656 --> 00:09:18.157 - I'm gonna shoot this Annie Oakley style. 272 00:09:18.157 --> 00:09:19.892 - Yes, see if you can get it before it gets you! 273 00:09:19.892 --> 00:09:21.794 - Alright, load 'er up. 274 00:09:24.196 --> 00:09:25.698 (machine starting up) 275 00:09:25.698 --> 00:09:27.133 - Oh yeah, oh yeah! 276 00:09:27.133 --> 00:09:28.100 - [Laura] Ready to roll! 277 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:29.101 - We're gonna charge the tank! 278 00:09:29.101 --> 00:09:31.704 (country music) 279 00:09:36.475 --> 00:09:39.412 - My gun is off safety and ready to fire, my friend! 280 00:09:39.412 --> 00:09:40.346 - Are you gonna shoot from the hip, 281 00:09:40.346 --> 00:09:41.681 or are you gonna try to aim? 282 00:09:41.681 --> 00:09:43.349 - I think you should just not worry about it. 283 00:09:43.349 --> 00:09:47.620 - Okay. (laughs) I'm nervous. 284 00:09:47.620 --> 00:09:49.322 As soon as I shoot this thing, I'm ducking, 285 00:09:49.322 --> 00:09:50.356 because I know you're gonna hit me! 286 00:09:50.356 --> 00:09:51.190 You ready? 287 00:09:54.160 --> 00:09:55.194 - Okay, I'm ready. 288 00:09:55.194 --> 00:09:56.963 - Okay, Laura, here we go! 289 00:09:56.963 --> 00:10:00.232 (dramatic music) 290 00:10:00.232 --> 00:10:03.736 (cannon shoots) (gunfire) 291 00:10:03.736 --> 00:10:05.638 - Sorry, did I hit you? 292 00:10:05.638 --> 00:10:07.673 (Nick laughs) 293 00:10:07.673 --> 00:10:08.741 Sorry! 294 00:10:08.741 --> 00:10:12.511 (crew laughing and shouting) 295 00:10:15.781 --> 00:10:17.016 - That was awesome! 296 00:10:17.016 --> 00:10:18.517 - [Narrator] Looks like the production crew 297 00:10:18.517 --> 00:10:20.653 got a little more than they expected on this shoot! 298 00:10:20.653 --> 00:10:21.721 So did Laura. 299 00:10:21.721 --> 00:10:22.922 - [Nick] We got one. 300 00:10:22.922 --> 00:10:23.923 - We got one? - [Nick] We got one! 301 00:10:23.923 --> 00:10:25.658 - Yeah! - Yeah, sweet! 302 00:10:27.259 --> 00:10:28.494 (dramatic music) 303 00:10:28.494 --> 00:10:29.795 - [Narrator] The ball leaves the cannon 304 00:10:29.795 --> 00:10:31.497 at 40 miles per hour. 305 00:10:31.497 --> 00:10:34.533 A mountain lion achieves this speed in two bounds, 306 00:10:34.533 --> 00:10:37.637 and is traveling 58 feet per second. 307 00:10:37.637 --> 00:10:39.472 At this speed, the lion will cover 308 00:10:39.472 --> 00:10:42.475 the 85 feet to Laura in 1.5 seconds. 309 00:10:43.876 --> 00:10:48.114 It takes 564 milliseconds for her body to react. 310 00:10:48.114 --> 00:10:50.716 At 1.1 seconds after the release of the ball, 311 00:10:50.716 --> 00:10:53.753 she fires off her first round. 312 00:10:53.753 --> 00:10:57.089 Followed by 14 more in quick succession! 313 00:10:58.290 --> 00:11:00.893 But one shot actually hits the mark. 314 00:11:00.893 --> 00:11:02.862 - Winner winner, chicken dinner! 315 00:11:02.862 --> 00:11:05.765 - That's bubblegum! - Oh no it's not, hot shot! 316 00:11:05.765 --> 00:11:07.066 That is a paintball paint. 317 00:11:07.066 --> 00:11:08.668 - Alright, alright. 318 00:11:08.668 --> 00:11:09.869 We'll see if I can do it. 319 00:11:09.869 --> 00:11:11.504 Good shot, good job. That was nice. 320 00:11:11.504 --> 00:11:14.440 - [Narrator] Now it's Nick's turn to test his reaction time. 321 00:11:14.440 --> 00:11:17.143 Keep in mind that in a real mountain lion attack, 322 00:11:17.143 --> 00:11:21.747 the cat's location and speed would be a surprise. 323 00:11:21.747 --> 00:11:22.982 - Alright, Nick. You ready? 324 00:11:22.982 --> 00:11:24.483 - Okay, I'm ready! 325 00:11:24.483 --> 00:11:26.218 (dramatic music) 326 00:11:26.218 --> 00:11:27.353 (cannon fires) 327 00:11:27.353 --> 00:11:28.654 (electronic beeping) 328 00:11:28.654 --> 00:11:29.388 Feed your dog's wild side. 329 00:11:29.388 --> 00:11:31.590 Nick and Laura are testing their reaction time 330 00:11:31.590 --> 00:11:36.228 to a simulated mountain lion attacking at 40 miles per hour. 331 00:11:36.228 --> 00:11:37.430 - That is a paintball paint! 332 00:11:37.430 --> 00:11:38.731 - Alright, alright. 333 00:11:38.731 --> 00:11:41.567 - [Narrator] Now it's Nick's turn. 334 00:11:42.735 --> 00:11:43.936 - Alright, Nick. You ready? 335 00:11:43.936 --> 00:11:45.304 - Okay, I'm ready! 336 00:11:45.304 --> 00:11:46.806 - Are you gonna fire from the hip? 337 00:11:46.806 --> 00:11:49.642 - Just shoot the thing! - Alright! 338 00:11:50.810 --> 00:11:53.045 (suspenseful music) 339 00:11:53.045 --> 00:11:54.346 (cannon fires) 340 00:11:54.346 --> 00:11:58.284 (gunfire) (laughs) 341 00:11:58.284 --> 00:11:59.719 - [Crew Member] For goodness' sakes! 342 00:11:59.719 --> 00:12:01.120 - [Narrator] The simulated mountain lion attack 343 00:12:01.120 --> 00:12:03.456 begins with the ball covering the 85 feet to Nick 344 00:12:03.456 --> 00:12:08.094 in 1.5 seconds, and if mountain lions bounced, 345 00:12:08.094 --> 00:12:10.463 this one might be dead! 346 00:12:10.463 --> 00:12:13.432 But technical difficulties call for a do-over 347 00:12:13.432 --> 00:12:16.235 to check Nick's reaction time. 348 00:12:16.235 --> 00:12:17.837 Time for another try. 349 00:12:17.837 --> 00:12:19.772 - Alright, Nick, are you ready? 350 00:12:19.772 --> 00:12:20.706 - I think so! 351 00:12:20.706 --> 00:12:22.875 - Alright, three, two, one! 352 00:12:25.444 --> 00:12:26.779 (suspenseful music) 353 00:12:26.779 --> 00:12:27.646 (cannon fires) 354 00:12:27.646 --> 00:12:28.647 (gunfire) 355 00:12:28.647 --> 00:12:29.482 (Nick laughs) 356 00:12:29.482 --> 00:12:30.316 - Did you get it? 357 00:12:30.316 --> 00:12:31.817 - I don't know! 358 00:12:31.817 --> 00:12:33.319 - [Narrator] But we did get Nick's reaction time. 359 00:12:33.319 --> 00:12:36.889 A speedy 342 milliseconds after the cannon fires, 360 00:12:36.889 --> 00:12:39.792 Nick's body starts turning for the shot. 361 00:12:39.792 --> 00:12:41.293 But by the time he's lined up, 362 00:12:41.293 --> 00:12:43.562 the lion's about 20 feet away, 363 00:12:43.562 --> 00:12:46.665 leaving him with a split second to hit the target. 364 00:12:46.665 --> 00:12:49.635 (Nick laughs) 365 00:12:49.635 --> 00:12:50.603 - Did you get it? 366 00:12:50.603 --> 00:12:52.571 - I dunno, let's take a look! 367 00:12:52.571 --> 00:12:53.973 Would you look at that? 368 00:12:53.973 --> 00:12:55.574 Right between the eyes! 369 00:12:55.574 --> 00:12:57.276 - Yeah, I'm gonna have to come verify this, 370 00:12:57.276 --> 00:12:58.611 I'll tell you that right now. 371 00:12:58.611 --> 00:13:00.780 I think you turned around too soon! 372 00:13:00.780 --> 00:13:02.581 Oh my gosh, you did get it between the eyes! 373 00:13:02.581 --> 00:13:04.316 (Laura laughs) 374 00:13:04.316 --> 00:13:07.086 Wait, is that paint, or is that just the color of the ball? 375 00:13:07.086 --> 00:13:08.988 - No, that's paint, look! 376 00:13:08.988 --> 00:13:11.524 - Alright, alright. Great shot. 377 00:13:12.925 --> 00:13:14.393 - Cool, right between the eyes! 378 00:13:14.393 --> 00:13:15.594 - It's about at eye, so I'd say 11. 379 00:13:15.594 --> 00:13:16.529 - Yeah, he wouldn't have moved far. 380 00:13:16.529 --> 00:13:17.997 - But the fact is, 381 00:13:17.997 --> 00:13:19.498 when it's a real mountain lion coming after you, 382 00:13:19.498 --> 00:13:22.434 you're not gonna turn around and be able to aim accurately. 383 00:13:22.434 --> 00:13:25.971 - No, and definitely, once they're on you, it's over. 384 00:13:25.971 --> 00:13:29.208 Pretty fast, pretty powerful, and very quiet. 385 00:13:29.208 --> 00:13:30.676 (suspenseful music) 386 00:13:30.676 --> 00:13:32.311 - [Narrator] So quiet, that if you were attacked, 387 00:13:32.311 --> 00:13:34.680 you probably wouldn't know what hit you. 388 00:13:34.680 --> 00:13:39.051 After all, a noisy cat wouldn't catch much prey. 389 00:13:39.051 --> 00:13:41.120 Ambush is the name of the game. 390 00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:43.055 (electronic beeping) 391 00:13:43.055 --> 00:13:45.457 In recent years, mountain bikers riding trails 392 00:13:45.457 --> 00:13:49.628 in lion country have been pursued and attacked as prey. 393 00:13:53.132 --> 00:13:55.534 - In fact, since 1990, on average, five or more people 394 00:13:55.534 --> 00:13:57.269 are attacked by mountain lions every year. 395 00:13:57.269 --> 00:13:59.538 And since that time, 10 people were actually killed. 396 00:13:59.538 --> 00:14:02.174 - Yeah, one frightening attack happened in 2004, 397 00:14:02.174 --> 00:14:03.642 in Orange County, California. 398 00:14:03.642 --> 00:14:05.945 A man was attacked and killed by a mountain lion, 399 00:14:05.945 --> 00:14:09.415 and on the same day, the same lion attacked a woman. 400 00:14:09.415 --> 00:14:10.749 - [Narrator] Anne Hjelle and her friend 401 00:14:10.749 --> 00:14:12.985 were biking a Southern California trail 402 00:14:12.985 --> 00:14:14.753 on January 8th, 2004. 403 00:14:15.955 --> 00:14:18.157 The beautiful day was about to be shattered 404 00:14:18.157 --> 00:14:19.959 by a rogue killer. 405 00:14:19.959 --> 00:14:23.762 (suspenseful music) 406 00:14:23.762 --> 00:14:26.198 - I felt a very strong impact. 407 00:14:26.198 --> 00:14:28.701 I felt the animal grab ahold of me. 408 00:14:28.701 --> 00:14:29.969 (screaming) 409 00:14:29.969 --> 00:14:32.438 It's like getting hit by a vehicle. 410 00:14:32.438 --> 00:14:34.473 - Mauled her very bad, and she did live, 411 00:14:34.473 --> 00:14:36.842 but the Deputy Sheriffs had to kill it. 412 00:14:36.842 --> 00:14:39.478 - Well that brings us to our next experiment. 413 00:14:39.478 --> 00:14:40.980 - [Narrator] So what kind of kinetic forces 414 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:45.084 are at work when a mountain lion impacts a human? 415 00:14:46.719 --> 00:14:50.122 - Okay, so what we're gonna do now is a little experiment. 416 00:14:50.122 --> 00:14:52.858 (dramatic music) 417 00:14:55.227 --> 00:14:56.862 Anne was riding on her bicycle. 418 00:14:56.862 --> 00:14:58.163 She's a pretty avid mountain biker, 419 00:14:58.163 --> 00:15:00.132 so she was clippin' along pretty good. 420 00:15:00.132 --> 00:15:01.600 (upbeat music) 421 00:15:01.600 --> 00:15:03.102 - We were gonna do a quick 45-minute loop, 422 00:15:03.102 --> 00:15:04.837 get in and out. 423 00:15:04.837 --> 00:15:07.172 I came up over a little rise 424 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:11.443 when I caught just a glimpse, this flash of movement. 425 00:15:11.443 --> 00:15:15.080 My first thought was that I had just startled a deer. 426 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.682 - I dunno where she got hit by this mountain lion, 427 00:15:16.682 --> 00:15:18.984 but she said that it was pretty strong. 428 00:15:18.984 --> 00:15:21.387 It felt like she got hit by a truck. 429 00:15:21.387 --> 00:15:23.389 (screaming) 430 00:15:23.389 --> 00:15:25.057 - I felt a very strong impact. 431 00:15:25.057 --> 00:15:27.059 I felt the animal grab ahold of me 432 00:15:27.059 --> 00:15:29.061 and I knew right away this is no deer. 433 00:15:29.061 --> 00:15:29.962 (screaming) 434 00:15:29.962 --> 00:15:30.796 - Help me! 435 00:15:33.232 --> 00:15:35.167 - So we have our stunt guys here, Jef and Brandon, 436 00:15:35.167 --> 00:15:37.136 who are gonna help us rig a science experiment 437 00:15:37.136 --> 00:15:39.905 so we can measure the impact of a mountain lion 438 00:15:39.905 --> 00:15:41.507 attacking Anna on the bike. 439 00:15:41.507 --> 00:15:43.309 - That's right, we've got our slam stick, 440 00:15:43.309 --> 00:15:45.711 put it on our trusty stuntman. 441 00:15:45.711 --> 00:15:46.946 - That's right. 442 00:15:46.946 --> 00:15:48.414 Alright, Brandon, what are we doing here today? 443 00:15:48.414 --> 00:15:50.015 - Well, Jef-- - Well, Brandon-- 444 00:15:50.015 --> 00:15:52.918 - I brought a mountain lion for 'ya! 445 00:15:52.918 --> 00:15:54.119 - I like it! - Oh yeah! 446 00:15:54.119 --> 00:15:57.256 - This here is gonna travel down the zipline. 447 00:15:57.256 --> 00:15:58.657 - Oh man. 448 00:15:58.657 --> 00:16:00.125 - And we're gonna recreate what it was like 449 00:16:00.125 --> 00:16:01.627 when Anne got hit. 450 00:16:03.595 --> 00:16:05.064 - That's not gonna hurt. 451 00:16:05.064 --> 00:16:07.066 - Wait a minute, you said this was a water gag. 452 00:16:07.066 --> 00:16:10.202 - Well, I mean, water on the ground, it's a little wet, 453 00:16:10.202 --> 00:16:11.370 it's probably going to rain. 454 00:16:11.370 --> 00:16:12.938 (all laughing) 455 00:16:12.938 --> 00:16:15.074 - Start crying is about right. 456 00:16:15.074 --> 00:16:16.342 - You'll be just fine, man. 457 00:16:16.342 --> 00:16:19.945 - Alright, well, best of luck gentlemen! 458 00:16:19.945 --> 00:16:20.813 - Good luck, dude! 459 00:16:20.813 --> 00:16:22.081 - Thanks. 460 00:16:22.081 --> 00:16:23.983 (dramatic music) 461 00:16:23.983 --> 00:16:24.283 (electronic beeping) 462 00:16:25.651 --> 00:16:26.919 - [Narrator] Laura and Nick have been testing themselves 463 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:29.021 against the stealth, vision, and speed 464 00:16:29.021 --> 00:16:30.756 of a mountain lion. 465 00:16:30.756 --> 00:16:33.158 Now, they're going to test the impact force 466 00:16:33.158 --> 00:16:34.593 of a mountain lion attack 467 00:16:34.593 --> 00:16:38.530 similar to the one Anne Hjelle survived back in 2004. 468 00:16:38.530 --> 00:16:40.165 (electronic beeping) 469 00:16:40.165 --> 00:16:42.735 As our stuntman Jef heads up the trail, 470 00:16:42.735 --> 00:16:45.637 the mountain lion punching bag weighing 100 pounds 471 00:16:45.637 --> 00:16:49.508 is hoisted up a zipline 25 feet away. 472 00:16:49.508 --> 00:16:51.910 It will reach nearly 20 miles per hour 473 00:16:51.910 --> 00:16:54.213 when it hits the impact zone. 474 00:16:54.213 --> 00:16:56.415 (dramatic music) 475 00:16:56.415 --> 00:16:58.150 - [Brandon] Okay, here we go! 476 00:16:58.150 --> 00:16:59.485 Three, two, one! 477 00:17:02.454 --> 00:17:05.190 (dramatic music) 478 00:17:08.560 --> 00:17:11.363 (crashing) 479 00:17:11.363 --> 00:17:13.432 - [Narrator] Unlike the lion attack on Anne Hjelle, 480 00:17:13.432 --> 00:17:17.269 at least our stuntman has a softer place to land. 481 00:17:17.269 --> 00:17:20.706 But let's look at the measured force of impact. 482 00:17:20.706 --> 00:17:23.375 Our rider faces two dangerous impacts. 483 00:17:23.375 --> 00:17:25.878 The first is the 100-pound mountain lion 484 00:17:25.878 --> 00:17:28.847 slamming him with a force of 24 Gs, 485 00:17:28.847 --> 00:17:30.682 enough to break an arm. 486 00:17:30.682 --> 00:17:33.986 Then, his combined forward and side momentum 487 00:17:33.986 --> 00:17:37.489 throws him to the ground with a force of 18 Gs. 488 00:17:37.489 --> 00:17:40.259 On a rocky mountain trail, this by itself 489 00:17:40.259 --> 00:17:43.195 could be enough to inflict severe injury. 490 00:17:43.195 --> 00:17:47.032 And a real cat could attack at up to 40 miles per hour. 491 00:17:47.032 --> 00:17:48.734 To measure that kind of force, 492 00:17:48.734 --> 00:17:52.571 it's time to bring back our good friend Kojak. 493 00:17:52.571 --> 00:17:54.073 With the dummy and our mountain lion 494 00:17:54.073 --> 00:17:55.841 fitted with motion sensors, 495 00:17:55.841 --> 00:17:59.344 we can let one rip for Survival Science. 496 00:17:59.344 --> 00:18:03.282 The cat slams our cyclist at 34 miles an hour. 497 00:18:03.282 --> 00:18:05.284 67 Gs of crushing force. 498 00:18:06.685 --> 00:18:10.489 Enough to cause whiplash, broken ribs, and arms. 499 00:18:10.489 --> 00:18:12.391 Then, smashing into the ground, 500 00:18:12.391 --> 00:18:15.794 our cyclist would be fortunate just to survive the impact, 501 00:18:15.794 --> 00:18:18.730 let alone the claws and jaws of a killer cat. 502 00:18:18.730 --> 00:18:20.299 (electronic beeping) 503 00:18:20.299 --> 00:18:22.868 For our last test, we're going to give Nick and Laura 504 00:18:22.868 --> 00:18:26.572 the chance to experience cat vision for themselves. 505 00:18:26.572 --> 00:18:27.773 - We're gonna do a little experiment. 506 00:18:27.773 --> 00:18:30.375 We're gonna try to find a mountain lion, 507 00:18:30.375 --> 00:18:32.077 zero night vision help. 508 00:18:32.077 --> 00:18:33.278 - Somewhere behind us, 509 00:18:33.278 --> 00:18:34.546 the producers have hidden a mountain lion. 510 00:18:34.546 --> 00:18:36.515 We're gonna try it without our night vision 511 00:18:36.515 --> 00:18:37.716 and see if we can see it. 512 00:18:37.716 --> 00:18:38.584 Alright, I regretted it. 513 00:18:38.584 --> 00:18:39.551 Why don't you go first? 514 00:18:39.551 --> 00:18:40.385 - Of course you'd say that. 515 00:18:40.385 --> 00:18:41.353 Alright, let's go. 516 00:18:41.353 --> 00:18:44.356 (suspenseful music) 517 00:18:48.060 --> 00:18:49.862 (muttering) 518 00:18:49.862 --> 00:18:52.164 - [Narrator] In the darkness using just the naked eye, 519 00:18:52.164 --> 00:18:55.834 they walk right past our crouched mountain lion. 520 00:18:55.834 --> 00:18:57.703 - [Laura] Well, I didn't see a thing, did you? 521 00:18:57.703 --> 00:18:58.937 - [Nick] No, it's dark. 522 00:18:58.937 --> 00:19:00.405 (Laura laughs) 523 00:19:00.405 --> 00:19:01.807 - [Narrator] Now we'll see how they do with night vision. 524 00:19:01.807 --> 00:19:03.609 - [Nick] Holy smokes! 525 00:19:03.609 --> 00:19:05.611 - [Laura] Now we're talking. I can see everything. 526 00:19:05.611 --> 00:19:07.513 Alright, are you ready to play a little game of I Spy? 527 00:19:07.513 --> 00:19:08.447 - [Nick] I'm following you. 528 00:19:08.447 --> 00:19:09.214 - [Laura] I spy a mountain lion. 529 00:19:09.214 --> 00:19:11.183 (rustling) 530 00:19:11.183 --> 00:19:13.318 (suspenseful music) 531 00:19:13.318 --> 00:19:16.488 (footsteps crunching) 532 00:19:18.490 --> 00:19:20.425 - [Both] Mountain lion! 533 00:19:23.095 --> 00:19:24.596 - Oh, jeez. 534 00:19:24.596 --> 00:19:25.898 I mean, if you were a mountain lion 535 00:19:25.898 --> 00:19:27.332 and you had eyes like this, 536 00:19:27.332 --> 00:19:28.467 you could just about catch whatever you wanted. 537 00:19:28.467 --> 00:19:29.568 - Oh, absolutely! 538 00:19:29.568 --> 00:19:31.270 (electronic beeping) 539 00:19:31.270 --> 00:19:33.038 - [Nick] Well, Laura, I think we've proven the speed, 540 00:19:33.038 --> 00:19:34.773 agility, strength, stealthiness, 541 00:19:34.773 --> 00:19:36.675 and the eyes of a mountain lion 542 00:19:36.675 --> 00:19:38.410 make it a pretty efficient killer. 543 00:19:38.410 --> 00:19:39.378 - That it is. 544 00:19:39.378 --> 00:19:40.345 And if you happen to come across 545 00:19:40.345 --> 00:19:41.613 an aggressive mountain lion, 546 00:19:41.613 --> 00:19:42.915 a couple of things to keep in mind is one, 547 00:19:42.915 --> 00:19:44.950 you probably want to act like you're really big, 548 00:19:44.950 --> 00:19:46.351 and you want to be really loud! 549 00:19:46.351 --> 00:19:48.420 - That's right, aggressive and never run, 550 00:19:48.420 --> 00:19:51.156 because that predator/prey relationship kicks in. 551 00:19:51.156 --> 00:19:52.758 If something flees, they're probably gonna chase it. 552 00:19:52.758 --> 00:19:54.026 - That's true. 553 00:19:54.026 --> 00:19:55.294 Most importantly, if you see one, 554 00:19:55.294 --> 00:19:56.762 just stay still and watch it walk away. 555 00:19:56.762 --> 00:19:58.030 - That's right. 556 00:19:58.030 --> 00:19:59.932 Join us next time as we put nature to the test-- 557 00:19:59.932 --> 00:20:01.767 - On Survival Science.