Ugly Animals (2006)   Now let me get this clear from the start: I don’t think of any animals as ugly- every species holds its own peculiar fascination, regardless of how it appears. But at the same time I must admit that when people talk about their least-favourite or "ugliest" animals, there are certain species that seem to crop up time and again. I wanted to make a film devoted to these "ugly" animals, to give them a deserved platform from which to demonstrate their remarkable traits. I’ve discovered that for these uglies, the way they look is the very reason they’re such successful survivors.   In Africa I met a massive male warthog, bristling with hairs and covered in facial lumps or ‘warts’. But these lumps act as shock absorbers during battles- the more bumps, the better the chances the ‘hog has of seeing off his rivals. Bats are another odd-looking bunch, I’ll grant you that- but all those facial wrinkles are designed to fine-tune the echolocation system they use to hunt insects in pitch darkness. It’s pure genius!   There’s a host of other uglies in the show too- frogs, elephant seals, wolf fish, naked mole rats, storks and star-nosed moles. Each has its own tale to tell and for me, they’re far more fascinating than a lot of those beautiful creatures you see so often on your television screens.   Why not take a peek at some of these ‘ugly’ species? For a special photo gallery containing pictures from the making of Ugly Animals, please click here.

Here are all the films I’ve hosted to date, plus those that are currently in production:

Killer Whale Islands (2007)

I spend summer in the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands, watching killer whales, seals, penguins and more.

Micro Safari: Journey to the Bugs (2007)

I’m shrunk to the size of a bug to explore my own backyard.

Penguin Safari (2006)

Up close and personal with the penguins of South Georgia.

Prehistoric Park (2006)

Time-travelling adventures to bring extinct creatures back to the present day.

Ugly Animals (2006)

I discover the beauty of creatures you might regard as ugly.

Rhinos (2006)

Face-to-face with these endangered incredible hulks.

Nigel Marven's Venom Hunters (2005)

How deadly venoms are used to make drugs to treat major illnesses.

Nigel Marven's Animal Detectives (2005)

A fascinating look at how animals and plants help solve crimes.

Scream if you Want to Get Off! (2004)

Reality series for ITV1, uniquely mixing science with entertainment.

Bull Sharks (2004)

I discover why this species is the world's most dangerous shark.

The Human Senses (2003)

A major new BBC series - I experience the extremes of sensory perception.

Meerkats (2003)

Possibly the world's cutest animal? I travel to South Africa to find out.

Piranhas (2003)

I investigate whether these fish deserve their bloodthirsty reputation.

Anaconda (2003)

South American expedition to find a 30-foot snake.

Walking with Dinosaurs: Sea Monsters (2003)

Diving in the world's deadliest seas: 75 million years ago.

Walking with Dinosaurs: The Giant Claw & Land of Giants (2003)

I travel back in time to meet the biggest animals ever to walk the planet

Alligators (2002)

A year in Florida following these remarkable reptiles.

Rats (2002)

My mission to overcome a serious fear of rats.

Nigel's Wild Wild World (2001-2002)

Ferrets, skunks, lemurs... a weekly look at an incredible array of animals.

Big Cats (2001)

Adventures in Africa and Asia with lions, tigers and leopards.

Giant Creepy Crawlies (2001)

A quest to find the planet's biggest spineless creatures.

Shark Week (2000 onwards)

In at the deep end for Discovery's annual shark extravaganza.

Bloodsuckers (2000)

Animal vampires including bats, bugs and even birds.

Giants (1999)

I come face to face with the world's biggest predators.