Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 17 (click to see context) from:
* BarrierWarrior: The beginning of Polar Bear Vs. Walrus and Lion Vs. Croc. Though later subverted by the end of the fight.
to:
* BarrierWarrior: The beginning of Polar Bear Vs. Walrus and Lion Vs. Croc. Though later subverted by the end of the fight. fight.
* BearsAreBadNews: With the exception of [[spoiler:the polar bear]], the bears [[spoiler:''always'' win]].
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
* BearsAreBadNews: With the exception of [[spoiler:the polar bear]], the bears [[spoiler:''always'' win]].
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
Deleted line(s) 34,35 (click to see context) :
* EverythingIsWorseWithBears: With the exception of [[spoiler:the polar bear]], the bears [[spoiler:''always'' win]].
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 31 (click to see context) from:
* CurbStompBattle: Hippo vs. Shark, Lion vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
to:
* CurbStompBattle: Hippo vs. Shark, Lion vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.bears the distinction of being the only episode in which the loser didn't inflict any damage at all..
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
* CrouchingMoronHiddenBadass: The walrus.
Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
to:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion Polar Bear vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile Walrus & Whale Bear vs. Squid.Alligator.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 31,32 (click to see context) from:
* DeliciousDistraction: [[spoiler: The jaguar loses]] because it was distracted by a bird call.
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
to:
* DeliciousDistraction: [[spoiler: The jaguar loses]] because it was distracted by a bird call.
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).call.
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
Added DiffLines:
* ThreateningShark: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PantheraAwesome: Mostly averted. See ButtMonkey.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 55 (click to see context) from:
* NoAnimalsWereHarmed: Subverted if you count CGI, but for the most part none of the actual animals are put in the show except for stock footage from DiscoveryChannel's back lot.
to:
* NoAnimalsWereHarmed: Subverted if you count CGI, but for the most part none of the actual animals are put in the show except for stock footage from DiscoveryChannel's back lot.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 65 (click to see context) from:
* TakeThat[=/=]TrashTalk: Occurs between the competing scientists.
to:
* TakeThat[=/=]TrashTalk: TakeThat[=/=]TrashTalk[=/=][[YouFightLikeACow Your Animal Fights Like A Cow]]: Occurs between the competing scientists.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* GeniusBruiser: The elephant, gorilla & black bear (although the latter is relative).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf Vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
to:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf Vs.vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* PredatorsAreMean: Almost all of the featured animals are at least partly predatory.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* HerbivoresAreFriendly: Subverted by the elephant, rhinoceros & hippopotamus.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
** Big cats & crocodilians are often made out to be enemies, which is reflected in Lion vs. Crocodile.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 10 (click to see context) from:
* AnimalJingoism: Cases in which an herbivore or other possible prey battles a predator, such as in Polar Bear Vs. Walrus, Leopard Vs. Gorilla and perhaps Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
to:
* AnimalJingoism: Cases in which an herbivore or other possible prey battles a predator, such as in Polar Bear Vs. Walrus, Leopard Vs. Gorilla and perhaps Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TakeThat[=/=]TrashTalk: Occurs between the competing scientists.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 51 (click to see context) from:
* NeverSmileAtACrocodile: Three crocodilians appear, but [[spoiler: only the Nile crocodile wins.]]
to:
* NeverSmileAtACrocodile: Three crocodilians appear, but [[spoiler: only the Nile crocodile wins. The losses were cheap, so perhaps it does apply after all.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
Maybe it\'s my archosaur-centric self, but something was very wrong with that fight...
Changed line(s) 27 (click to see context) from:
* CrackDefeat: Some would say the defeat of [[spoiler:the croc against the shark]], and one could make a point for Polar Bear vs. Walrus & Lion vs. Tiger also qualifying.
to:
* CrackDefeat: Some would say the defeat of [[spoiler:the croc against the shark]], and one could make a point for Polar Bear vs. Walrus & Walrus, Lion vs. Tiger & Bear vs. Alligator also qualifying.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TailSlap: The crocodile uses this against the lion.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 18,19 (click to see context) from:
* BigBadassWolf: Appears in a fight between a cougar, [[spoiler:though it loses]].
** Though one must note that it WAS fighting alone, and not with the rest of it's pack like it would have in [[RealLife Real Life]]. And unlike most of the other losers of the series, the wolf is only knocked out, not killed, due to the cougar fleeing upon hearing the approach of the rest of the wolf's pack.
** Though one must note that it WAS fighting alone, and not with the rest of it's pack like it would have in [[RealLife Real Life]]. And unlike most of the other losers of the series, the wolf is only knocked out, not killed, due to the cougar fleeing upon hearing the approach of the rest of the wolf's pack.
to:
* BigBadassWolf: Appears in a fight between a cougar, [[spoiler:though it loses]].
** Thoughloses. However, one must note that it WAS fighting alone, and not with the rest of it's pack like it would have in [[RealLife Real Life]]. And unlike most of Unlike the other losers of the series, the wolf is only knocked out, not killed, due to the cougar fleeing upon hearing the approach of the rest of the wolf's pack. pack.]]
** Though
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 44 (click to see context) from:
* FollowTheLeader: Several (unrelated) children's books with a similar subject will blatantly plagiarize battles & outcomes from the show (Croc Vs. Shark & Lion Vs. Tiger are the worst off in this regard).
to:
* FollowTheLeader: Several (unrelated) children's books with a similar subject will blatantly plagiarize battles & outcomes from the show (Croc Vs. vs. Shark & Lion Vs.vs. Tiger are the worst off in this regard).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* FollowTheLeader: Several (unrelated) children's books with a similar subject will blatantly plagiarize battles & outcomes from the show (Croc Vs. Shark & Lion Vs. Tiger are the worst off in this regard).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 49 (click to see context) from:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf Vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squod.
to:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf Vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squod.Squid.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
* TheHunterBecomesTheHunted: Lion vs. Croc, Jaguar vs. Anaconda, Wolf Vs. Cougar, Shark vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squod.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
Animal Face-Off was a DiscoveryChannel & AnimalPlanet documentary where two animals fight to the death in computer simulated battles at the end of the show. Before the actual fight, scientists test out the abilities of the animals. To avoid controversies of animal testing or the danger of trying to capture wild animals, they instead make molds of a skull of the animal and make it into a steel biting machine. There is usually at least one scientist on each side supporting an animal and, like two sports fans, they sometimes {{trash talk}} before the fight begins. The show lasted from March to September 2004.
to:
Animal Face-Off was a DiscoveryChannel & AnimalPlanet documentary where two animals fight to the death in computer simulated battles at the end of the show. Before the actual fight, scientists test out the abilities of the animals. To avoid controversies of animal testing or the danger of trying to capture wild animals, they instead make molds of a skull of the animal and make it into a steel biting machine. There is usually at least one scientist on each side supporting an animal and, like two sports fans, they sometimes {{trash talk}} before the fight begins. The show lasted from March to September 2004.
2004 (reruns do occur, but they're ''extremely'' rare).
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 20 (click to see context) from:
* BoomHeadshot: Bull Shark Vs. Hippo (and, to a lesser extent, Lion vs. Crocodile).
to:
* BoomHeadshot: Bull Shark Vs. Hippo (and, to a lesser extent, Lion vs. Crocodile).Hippo.
** The narration often points out that RealLife crocodilians often use this, and both the Nile & saltwater crocodile use it against their adversaries. [[spoiler: It doesn't work in the latter's favor.]]
** The narration often points out that RealLife crocodilians often use this, and both the Nile & saltwater crocodile use it against their adversaries. [[spoiler: It doesn't work in the latter's favor.]]
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 26 (click to see context) from:
* CatsHateWater: Lion Vs. Croc and Jaguar Vs. Anaconda, although [[spoiler:it's justified, as they both lose]].
to:
* CatsHateWater: Lion Vs. Croc and Jaguar Vs. Anaconda, Croc, although [[spoiler:it's justified, as they both lose]].it loses]].
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 55 (click to see context) from:
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, ''Series/JurassicFightClub'' & DeadliestWarrior can all be seen as this.
to:
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, ''TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs'', ''Series/JurassicFightClub'' & DeadliestWarrior ''DeadliestWarrior'' can all be seen as this.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 1,2 (click to see context) from:
Animal Face-Off was a DiscoveryChannel documentary (and for a small while on AnimalPlanet) where two animals fight to the death in computer simulated battles at the end of the show. Before the actual fight the show has Scientists test out the abilities of the animals. Though to avoid controversies of Animal Testing or the danger of trying to capture wild animals, they instead make molds of a skull of the animal and make into a steel biting machine. There is usually at least one scientist on each side supporting an Animal and like two sports fans they sometime trash talk before the fight begins. The show lasted from March to September, 2004.
to:
Animal Face-Off was a DiscoveryChannel & AnimalPlanet documentary (and for a small while on AnimalPlanet) where two animals fight to the death in computer simulated battles at the end of the show. Before the actual fight the show has Scientists fight, scientists test out the abilities of the animals. Though to To avoid controversies of Animal Testing animal testing or the danger of trying to capture wild animals, they instead make molds of a skull of the animal and make it into a steel biting machine. There is usually at least one scientist on each side supporting an Animal and animal and, like two sports fans fans, they sometime trash talk sometimes {{trash talk}} before the fight begins. The show lasted from March to September, September 2004.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Changed line(s) 55 (click to see context) from:
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, JurassicFightClub & DeadliestWarrior can all be seen as this.
to:
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, JurassicFightClub ''Series/JurassicFightClub'' & DeadliestWarrior can all be seen as this.
Is there an issue? Send a MessageReason:
None
Added DiffLines:
Animal Face-Off was a DiscoveryChannel documentary (and for a small while on AnimalPlanet) where two animals fight to the death in computer simulated battles at the end of the show. Before the actual fight the show has Scientists test out the abilities of the animals. Though to avoid controversies of Animal Testing or the danger of trying to capture wild animals, they instead make molds of a skull of the animal and make into a steel biting machine. There is usually at least one scientist on each side supporting an Animal and like two sports fans they sometime trash talk before the fight begins. The show lasted from March to September, 2004.
----
!!Tropes in this series:
* AchillesHeel: In some cases, even ONE weakness means death to the loser.
* ActualPacifist: Subverted in the Polar Bear Vs. Walrus episode.
* AlwaysABiggerFish: Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Although the lion [[spoiler:beats the tiger]] in Asia, the lion [[spoiler:could not beat the crocodile]] in Africa.
* AnimalJingoism: Cases in which an herbivore or other possible prey battles a predator, such as in Polar Bear Vs. Walrus, Leopard Vs. Gorilla and perhaps Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
* AnimalMotifs: One can note some resemblances in look and attitude between some experts and [[AnimalStereotypes their animals]]....is it a casual thing or not? The big cat expert acts like a young and rather perky showman; the bear trainer is a big guy with a shaggy beard and a calm yet touchy temper; the reptile scientist is a lean, unflappable man with a bit of DeadpanSnarker when arguing with his rivals; finally the primatologist is a pretty girl (remember that apes and girls are ''historically'' associated each other in media).
* AnimalReactionShot: Many close ups are shown of the animals during the fights. And before the fights, samples are put from which shows how the animal's muscles react.
* ArbitrarySkepticism: Some of the scientists who supported the losing animal after the fight STILL argue with the winning one.
** Also, some viewers have complained about the alleged unlikeliness of Bull Shark vs. Hippopotamus, since [[YouFailBiologyForever all people know sharks live only in the sea]]: but in RealLife bull-sharks ''do'' swim in African rivers other than in the seas, and some interactions with hippos are documented as well.
* AttackItsWeakPoint: For the most part, the neck. Though for the crocs and gators, the underbelly.
* BarrierWarrior: The beginning of Polar Bear Vs. Walrus and Lion Vs. Croc. Though later subverted by the end of the fight.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: At the end of Leopard Vs. Gorilla, the narrator says "Beauty killed by the Beast", [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute even though the gorilla was only defending itself from the attacking leopard.]] Interstingly, the Gorilla expert was a real hottie, while the leopard expert was a man (a curious example from RealLife of the trope "gorillas always are with pretty girls").
* BigBadassWolf: Appears in a fight between a cougar, [[spoiler:though it loses]].
** Though one must note that it WAS fighting alone, and not with the rest of it's pack like it would have in [[RealLife Real Life]]. And unlike most of the other losers of the series, the wolf is only knocked out, not killed, due to the cougar fleeing upon hearing the approach of the rest of the wolf's pack.
* BoomHeadshot: Bull Shark Vs. Hippo (and, to a lesser extent, Lion vs. Crocodile).
* BreakableWeapons: [[spoiler:Although the elephant kills the rhino, a part of one of the tusks breaks off in the process.]] Good thing it can grow back.
* BulletTime: The slow-motion speed when the machines bite down on a fruit/veggie/meat before the fights to show more detail on how they bite.
* ButtMonkey: Although the big cats win twice ([[spoiler:Cougar and Asiatic lion]], although [[spoiler:in the case of the lion]] it was ''against'' another big cat), the big cats have the most losses ([[spoiler:Siberian/Bengal tigers, African lion, jaguar, and leopard]]). That's 2 for 5.
* CatsAreMean: All the big cats in this are very mean.
** Actually ''all'' the animals in the show are portrayed as mean as possible.
* CatsHateWater: Lion Vs. Croc and Jaguar Vs. Anaconda, although [[spoiler:it's justified, as they both lose]].
* CrackDefeat: Some would say the defeat of [[spoiler:the croc against the shark]], and one could make a point for Polar Bear vs. Walrus & Lion vs. Tiger also qualifying.
** Though a lot of others might say the same thing about other battles and complain.
* CurbStompBattle: Hippo vs. Shark, Lion vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
* DeliciousDistraction: [[spoiler: The jaguar loses]] because it was distracted by a bird call.
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: The colossal squid.
* EverythingIsWorseWithBears: With the exception of [[spoiler:the polar bear]], the bears [[spoiler:''always'' win]].
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
** TheHero: [[spoiler: The big cat expert Dave Salmoni]]
** TheLancer: [[spoiler: The croc expert Adam Britton]]
** TheSmartGuy: [[spoiler: The veterinarian Ellen Rogers]]
** TheBigGuy: [[spoiler: The bear expert Jeff Watson]]
** TheChick: [[spoiler: The shark expert Dan Huber]]
** TheSixthRanger -s: [[spoiler: The other scientists who appear once]]
** TheMentor -s: [[spoiler: The engineers, designers and maths experts]]
** TeamPet -s: [[spoiler: The fighting animals]]
* FoodChainOfEvil: Several, with Whale vs. Squid being the most notable.
* {{Gorn}}: Although it's all CGI, apparently it was ScrewedByTheNetwork for the violence.
* GrandFinale: Insofar as a double-length CurbStompBattle that [[NoExportForYou never aired in the U.S.]] can be considered "grand".
* HeelFaceTurn: Dave Salmoni plays ''against'' the lion in one of the first episodes, but later he ''defends it'' against the croc in another episode. [[spoiler:He defends the wrong creature both times]].
* HollywoodScience: Every single episode basically consists of assumptions over the physical strength of the subjects, a test on animatronic animals, and a fight sequence that will (usually) make the heavier animal win by default.
* NeverSmileAtACrocodile: Three crocodilians appear, but [[spoiler: only the Nile crocodile wins.]]
* NoAnimalsWereHarmed: Subverted if you count CGI, but for the most part none of the actual animals are put in the show except for stock footage from DiscoveryChannel's back lot.
* PoisonIsEvil: Probably why, despite constant emphasis on the deadly arsenals of the combatants, no venomous species was ever included in a face-off (because it wouldn't seem "fair" enough).
* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Exactly half of the featured reptiles ([[spoiler: the Nile crocodile & anaconda]]) win.
* RhinoRampage: The rhino's anger to the elephant, although [[spoiler:it doesn't save it]].
* ShoutOut: Bear vs. Gator claims that the black bear is [[YogiBear "smarter than the average reptile."]]
* SomewhereAHerpetologistIsCrying: [[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/animalfaceoff/game/play.html The accompanying game]] bills the American alligator as "the Western Hemisphere's largest crocodilian." The black caiman is slightly larger.
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, JurassicFightClub & DeadliestWarrior can all be seen as this.
* StrictlyFormula: When two land-based predators fight, it will almost always be over a kill. [[spoiler: Its original owner will always lose.]]
* VideogameCharacters: The fighting animals may be classified in one of the following:
** FragileSpeedster: The big cats, they move and strike fast and pack good power, but they have low stamina and are relatively fragile. The wolf as well, quick-moving and powerful-jawed, but easily killed by a single kick from the cougar. And then the bull shark, he's all over the hippopotamus before one chomp ends him. Finally the Giant Squid, very maneuvrable but not capable to do anything serious to the whale, and eventually ends swallowed whole by the latter.
** MightyGlacier: The polar & grizzly bears, the crocodilians, the anaconda, the hippopotamus, the gorilla, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the walrus and the sperm-whale. When a glacier fight against a speedster, he [[spoiler: almost always defeats the latter]]. When it's one glacier against another (Polar Bear vs Walrus, Elephant vs Rhino), the battle usually comes down to who can out-mighty the other.
** LightningBruiser: The great white shark & black bear may qualify as this, being fast ''and'' high in strength/stamina at the same time (though they have some trouble against their crocodilian adversaries).
** Actually all the twelve duels may be, in last analysis, qualified as MightyGlacier vs FragileSpeedster in a greater or lesser degree, since one animal appears always smaller/faster/weaker/more active than its bigger/slower/stronger/more passive opponent. This distinction is clear with Hippopotamus vs Shark, Bear vs Tiger, Crocodile vs Lion, Anaconda vs Jaguar, Gorilla vs Leopard, and Whale vs Squid; less-evident with Shark vs Crocodile, Elephant vs Rhino, Lion vs Tiger, Cougar vs Wolf, Walrus vs Bear, and Alligator vs Bear. Except for the last example, [[spoiler:the MightyGlacier]] always wins the fight.
* WildMassGuessing: Results of the final battles often end in this, with viewers arguing about which animal really deserved to win. Lampshaded on the website:
-->''"And if you disagree with our outcomes, be assured that you won't be alone."''
----
!!Tropes in this series:
* AchillesHeel: In some cases, even ONE weakness means death to the loser.
* ActualPacifist: Subverted in the Polar Bear Vs. Walrus episode.
* AlwaysABiggerFish: Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
* AlwaysSomeoneBetter: Although the lion [[spoiler:beats the tiger]] in Asia, the lion [[spoiler:could not beat the crocodile]] in Africa.
* AnimalJingoism: Cases in which an herbivore or other possible prey battles a predator, such as in Polar Bear Vs. Walrus, Leopard Vs. Gorilla and perhaps Colossal Squid Vs. Sperm Whale.
* AnimalMotifs: One can note some resemblances in look and attitude between some experts and [[AnimalStereotypes their animals]]....is it a casual thing or not? The big cat expert acts like a young and rather perky showman; the bear trainer is a big guy with a shaggy beard and a calm yet touchy temper; the reptile scientist is a lean, unflappable man with a bit of DeadpanSnarker when arguing with his rivals; finally the primatologist is a pretty girl (remember that apes and girls are ''historically'' associated each other in media).
* AnimalReactionShot: Many close ups are shown of the animals during the fights. And before the fights, samples are put from which shows how the animal's muscles react.
* ArbitrarySkepticism: Some of the scientists who supported the losing animal after the fight STILL argue with the winning one.
** Also, some viewers have complained about the alleged unlikeliness of Bull Shark vs. Hippopotamus, since [[YouFailBiologyForever all people know sharks live only in the sea]]: but in RealLife bull-sharks ''do'' swim in African rivers other than in the seas, and some interactions with hippos are documented as well.
* AttackItsWeakPoint: For the most part, the neck. Though for the crocs and gators, the underbelly.
* BarrierWarrior: The beginning of Polar Bear Vs. Walrus and Lion Vs. Croc. Though later subverted by the end of the fight.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: At the end of Leopard Vs. Gorilla, the narrator says "Beauty killed by the Beast", [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute even though the gorilla was only defending itself from the attacking leopard.]] Interstingly, the Gorilla expert was a real hottie, while the leopard expert was a man (a curious example from RealLife of the trope "gorillas always are with pretty girls").
* BigBadassWolf: Appears in a fight between a cougar, [[spoiler:though it loses]].
** Though one must note that it WAS fighting alone, and not with the rest of it's pack like it would have in [[RealLife Real Life]]. And unlike most of the other losers of the series, the wolf is only knocked out, not killed, due to the cougar fleeing upon hearing the approach of the rest of the wolf's pack.
* BoomHeadshot: Bull Shark Vs. Hippo (and, to a lesser extent, Lion vs. Crocodile).
* BreakableWeapons: [[spoiler:Although the elephant kills the rhino, a part of one of the tusks breaks off in the process.]] Good thing it can grow back.
* BulletTime: The slow-motion speed when the machines bite down on a fruit/veggie/meat before the fights to show more detail on how they bite.
* ButtMonkey: Although the big cats win twice ([[spoiler:Cougar and Asiatic lion]], although [[spoiler:in the case of the lion]] it was ''against'' another big cat), the big cats have the most losses ([[spoiler:Siberian/Bengal tigers, African lion, jaguar, and leopard]]). That's 2 for 5.
* CatsAreMean: All the big cats in this are very mean.
** Actually ''all'' the animals in the show are portrayed as mean as possible.
* CatsHateWater: Lion Vs. Croc and Jaguar Vs. Anaconda, although [[spoiler:it's justified, as they both lose]].
* CrackDefeat: Some would say the defeat of [[spoiler:the croc against the shark]], and one could make a point for Polar Bear vs. Walrus & Lion vs. Tiger also qualifying.
** Though a lot of others might say the same thing about other battles and complain.
* CurbStompBattle: Hippo vs. Shark, Lion vs. Crocodile & Whale vs. Squid.
* DeliciousDistraction: [[spoiler: The jaguar loses]] because it was distracted by a bird call.
* EverythingIsEvenWorseWithSharks: Saltwater Croc Vs. Great White Shark and Bull Shark Vs. Hippo. Though [[spoiler:the great white shark is the only one who won]] (Though rather cheaply, so perhaps it's somewhat subverted).
* EverythingsSquishierWithCephalopods: The colossal squid.
* EverythingIsWorseWithBears: With the exception of [[spoiler:the polar bear]], the bears [[spoiler:''always'' win]].
* FiveManBand (JustForFun):
** TheHero: [[spoiler: The big cat expert Dave Salmoni]]
** TheLancer: [[spoiler: The croc expert Adam Britton]]
** TheSmartGuy: [[spoiler: The veterinarian Ellen Rogers]]
** TheBigGuy: [[spoiler: The bear expert Jeff Watson]]
** TheChick: [[spoiler: The shark expert Dan Huber]]
** TheSixthRanger -s: [[spoiler: The other scientists who appear once]]
** TheMentor -s: [[spoiler: The engineers, designers and maths experts]]
** TeamPet -s: [[spoiler: The fighting animals]]
* FoodChainOfEvil: Several, with Whale vs. Squid being the most notable.
* {{Gorn}}: Although it's all CGI, apparently it was ScrewedByTheNetwork for the violence.
* GrandFinale: Insofar as a double-length CurbStompBattle that [[NoExportForYou never aired in the U.S.]] can be considered "grand".
* HeelFaceTurn: Dave Salmoni plays ''against'' the lion in one of the first episodes, but later he ''defends it'' against the croc in another episode. [[spoiler:He defends the wrong creature both times]].
* HollywoodScience: Every single episode basically consists of assumptions over the physical strength of the subjects, a test on animatronic animals, and a fight sequence that will (usually) make the heavier animal win by default.
* NeverSmileAtACrocodile: Three crocodilians appear, but [[spoiler: only the Nile crocodile wins.]]
* NoAnimalsWereHarmed: Subverted if you count CGI, but for the most part none of the actual animals are put in the show except for stock footage from DiscoveryChannel's back lot.
* PoisonIsEvil: Probably why, despite constant emphasis on the deadly arsenals of the combatants, no venomous species was ever included in a face-off (because it wouldn't seem "fair" enough).
* ReptilesAreAbhorrent: Exactly half of the featured reptiles ([[spoiler: the Nile crocodile & anaconda]]) win.
* RhinoRampage: The rhino's anger to the elephant, although [[spoiler:it doesn't save it]].
* ShoutOut: Bear vs. Gator claims that the black bear is [[YogiBear "smarter than the average reptile."]]
* SomewhereAHerpetologistIsCrying: [[http://dsc.discovery.com/convergence/animalfaceoff/game/play.html The accompanying game]] bills the American alligator as "the Western Hemisphere's largest crocodilian." The black caiman is slightly larger.
* SpiritualSuccessor: TheTruthAboutKillerDinosaurs, JurassicFightClub & DeadliestWarrior can all be seen as this.
* StrictlyFormula: When two land-based predators fight, it will almost always be over a kill. [[spoiler: Its original owner will always lose.]]
* VideogameCharacters: The fighting animals may be classified in one of the following:
** FragileSpeedster: The big cats, they move and strike fast and pack good power, but they have low stamina and are relatively fragile. The wolf as well, quick-moving and powerful-jawed, but easily killed by a single kick from the cougar. And then the bull shark, he's all over the hippopotamus before one chomp ends him. Finally the Giant Squid, very maneuvrable but not capable to do anything serious to the whale, and eventually ends swallowed whole by the latter.
** MightyGlacier: The polar & grizzly bears, the crocodilians, the anaconda, the hippopotamus, the gorilla, the elephant, the rhinoceros, the walrus and the sperm-whale. When a glacier fight against a speedster, he [[spoiler: almost always defeats the latter]]. When it's one glacier against another (Polar Bear vs Walrus, Elephant vs Rhino), the battle usually comes down to who can out-mighty the other.
** LightningBruiser: The great white shark & black bear may qualify as this, being fast ''and'' high in strength/stamina at the same time (though they have some trouble against their crocodilian adversaries).
** Actually all the twelve duels may be, in last analysis, qualified as MightyGlacier vs FragileSpeedster in a greater or lesser degree, since one animal appears always smaller/faster/weaker/more active than its bigger/slower/stronger/more passive opponent. This distinction is clear with Hippopotamus vs Shark, Bear vs Tiger, Crocodile vs Lion, Anaconda vs Jaguar, Gorilla vs Leopard, and Whale vs Squid; less-evident with Shark vs Crocodile, Elephant vs Rhino, Lion vs Tiger, Cougar vs Wolf, Walrus vs Bear, and Alligator vs Bear. Except for the last example, [[spoiler:the MightyGlacier]] always wins the fight.
* WildMassGuessing: Results of the final battles often end in this, with viewers arguing about which animal really deserved to win. Lampshaded on the website:
-->''"And if you disagree with our outcomes, be assured that you won't be alone."''
