National Geographic to Air THE SECRET LIFE OF PREDATORS This September

National Geographic Channel (NGC) CEO David Lyle today announced the channel's next sweeping natural history event: The Secret Life of Predators. From the networks that brought viewers Untamed Americas and Great Migrations, this four-part blue-chip event from National Geographic Television will be simulcast on both National Geographic Channel and Nat Geo WILD on Friday, September 20 and Friday, September 27 during the "Night of Exploration." Naturalist and big cat tracker Boone Smith is the host.

"The Secret Life of Predators will push beautiful blue-chip specials to the next level," said Lyle. "At National Geographic Channels, we are always looking for ways to do natural history bigger and better, and this four-part, incredible event will travel the globe with the best cameramen and women to find new and totally surprising stories of the animal kingdom's hunters that few people know about. We'll see rough-and-tumble meat-eaters' skill, intellect and instinct at work." He added: "It might even make vegetarians want to fight and claw for their next meal."

Host Boone Smith (Snow Leopard of Afghanistan, American Cougar, Hunt for the Shadow Cat) takes an intimate look at the both iconic and surprising predators of our earth and their savvy strikes, chases and kills. We'll see 45 different animal species in 12 habitats and in 18 countries around the globe.

Said National Geographic Television Series Producer Sue Houghton, "This film captures animal behaviors that were never filmed before - some were never witnessed by scientists. From the oceans, forests, open spaces and edge of land, we will show that nature's carnivores aren't just brutal and powerful, they are mysterious and mesmerizing."

Each episode focuses on predators on an ecosystem:

Hour 1: "WET" - The oceans of our planet are ruthless battlefields that constantly test the biggest and deadliest carnivores including orcas, giant octopi, torpedo rays, wolf eels and sea snakes.

Hour 2: "STEALTH" - Whether searching for prey in the tropical canopy or stalking a meal over a spongy moss carpet, success in the forest requires predators such as brown bears, Bengal tigers and harpy eagles to use trees for shelter and camouflage.

Hour 3: "NAKED" - There are still places on Earth where grasses, lichens or fields of ice stretch as far as the eye can see. In order to survive, predators such as cheetahs, wolves and polar bears must perfect the tactic of hiding in plain sight.

Hour 4: "EXPOSED" - When water meets land, landscapes clash and predators such as dolphins, lions, monitor lizards and baboons must master skills to hunt in both habitats.