Nightmares Come to Life in New Smithsonian Series CRAZY MONSTER, Premiering 1/4

Nightmares will come to life in CRAZY MONSTER, a new Smithsonian Channel series that reveals some of the creepiest, weirdest and most spine-tingling creatures known to man. These are the animals and plants that will make your skin crawl - and show you things you never thought possible. Episodes feature exotic bats, bugs, snakes, frogs and more - from the lethal and legendary Venus Fly Trap to the sinister Saltwater Croc. The series premiere of CRAZY MONSTER: SPIDERS debuts Wednesday, January 4 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

In the first episode, beware the cobwebs in your basement and hidden in the corners of your bedroom - our CRAZY MONSTER: SPIDERS just might call them home, too. These hairy, eight-legged critters will give you the jitters- from spiders that can walk on water and even breathe underwater, to ones that can weave glittering webs to catch prey by the dozens, and the mammoth tarantula that eats entire birds for breakfast.

Ensuing episodes of CRAZY MONSTER:

CRAZY MONSTER: BATS
Premieres Wednesday, January 11 at 8p.m. ET/PT
When the daylight gives way to the desperately dark night, the sky comes alive with a frantic frenzy of wings that, for some, is the stuff of nightmares. From the bat that pulls fish from the water with giant claws to the bloodsucking vampire bat, we journey through a strange collection of winged beasts that are as bizarre as they are fascinating.

CRAZY MONSTER: DIGGERS
Premieres Wednesday, January 18 at 8p.m. ET/PT
Lurk in the shadows and enter a secret, subterranean world where digging freaks burrow right under our feet. They're creepy. They're filthy. Some are downright disgusting. From hives of naked mole rats, to the burrows of the bizarre aardvark, to zombie creatures that tunnel through decomposing flesh, this is nature's real freak show - underground.

CRAZY MONSTER: GULPERS
Premieres Wednesday, January 25 at 8p.m. ET/PT
Crazy monster gulpers don't nibble at their food - they swallow their victims whole. These monsters can dislocate their jaws and use their mouths as traps to swallow animals whole in one gulp. Witness frogs the size of small dogs, plants that swallow entire rodents, and the largest crocodile species on earth - capable of consuming an entire antelope. One thing is for certain - you do not want to end up inside of any of these crazy monster mouths.

CRAZY MONSTER: FANGS
Premieres Wednesday, February 1 at 8p.m. ET/PT
Only the world's craziest creatures would sport the sharpest and meanest fangs known to man. These monsters bite, chew and gnash on anything that gets in their way and their fangs are as varied as they are fearsome - from the weird teeth of the Dracula fish to the deadly fangs of the Gaboon viper and infamous chompers of the Piranha. Keep your hands and feet inside during this wild ride.

CRAZY MONSTER: BUGS
Premieres Wednesday, February 8 at 8p.m. ET/PT
Flies, beetles and bees - bugs come in all shapes and sizes, but these crazy monsters are not your normal bees and butterflies. One insect sprays molten-hot acid from its rear. Another injects its larvae into living caterpillars, where the young gnaw their way out. But the ultimate crazy monster bug may be the giant centipede - a freak that is longer than your forearm, roams the caves of Venezuela and hunts for its favorite meal: live bats.

CRAZY MONSTER is produced by Earth Touch for Smithsonian Channel. Executive producer for Earth Touch is Graeme Duane. Executive producers for Smithsonian Channel are Tim Evans, Charles Poe and David Royle.

Smithsonian Channel™, owned by Smithsonian Networks™, a joint venture between Showtime Networks Inc. and the Smithsonian Institution, is where CURIOSITY lives, inspiration strikes and wonders never cease. This is the place for awe-inspiring stories, powerful documentaries and amazing entertainment across multiple platforms. Smithsonian Channel combines the storytelling prowess of SHOWTIME® with the unmatched resources and rich traditions of the Smithsonian, to create award-winning programming that shines new light on popular genres such as air and space, history, science, nature, and pop culture. Among the network's offerings are series including Aerial America, Million Dollar American Princesses, Polar Bear Town, The Weapon Hunter, The Lost Tapes, Mighty Ships, Mighty Planes and Air Disasters, as well as critically-acclaimed specials that include Building Star Trek, The Unknown Flag Raiser of Iwo Jima, MLK: The Assassination Tapes, and The Day KENNEDY Died. Smithsonian Networks also operates Smithsonian Earth™, through SN Digital LLC., a new subscription video streaming service delivering spectacular original nature and wildlife content.

Image courtesy of Smithsonian Channel

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