How Do Animals Do That?

The programme investigates why some cats are cross‑eyed, the mechanisms behind this condition. It also reveals in detail how meerkats can safely eat poisonous scorpions and how hippos are able to sleep while holding their breath, showcasing remarkable animal adaptations.

Deadly Dinner is a programme, and it's an episode that looks at some of the more surprising ways animals cope with danger. In this instalment the focus shifts to three very different creatures, each of which displays a remarkable adaptation that helps them survive in their own niche. One segment explains why a number of domestic cats appear cross‑eyed, linking the condition to specific anatomical quirks. Another part follows meerkats as they tackle venomous scorpions, showing how the small mammals are able to consume these poisonous predators without ill effect. The final feature turns to the massive hippo, revealing its capacity to drift into sleep while still managing to hold its breath beneath the water's surface. Together these three cases illustrate the breadth of nature's solutions to seemingly lethal challenges. From the subtle visual misalignment in felines, through the meerkat's resistance to scorpion toxins, to the hippo's breath‑holding slumber, the episode highlights how each species has evolved a unique strategy to thrive despite the threats that surround them. By weaving together these seemingly unrelated examples, Deadly Dinner offers viewers a concise look at the ingenuity of the animal kingdom. The episode’s straightforward presentation keeps the focus on the facts, allowing the audience to appreciate how each creature’s odd ability serves a practical survival function.