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Eagles and Sharks? Bring It On, Says Deadly 60's Steve Backshall

By Kiran Hefa

08/12/2011 at 09:00 AM EDT

Hanging out with a golden eagle perched on his arm is just in another day's work for adventurer Steve Backshall, who prefers interaction with fierce predators over cuddling with puppies and kittens.

"My Deadly 60 program is all about animals that are superb at catching their food," he tells PEOPLE of his new Nat Geo Wild show, in which he travels the globe tracking the world's greatest predators. "It's not about animals that are deadly to us."

"Something like a golden eagle," Backshall continues, pointing out his feathery friend, "poses no threat whatsoever to humans, but to its prey, is absolutely lethal. That's the perfect example of the kinds of animals we try to find on the series."

Making stops in places like Mozambique, Panama and Madagascar, Backshall comes in close contact on the show with eagles, sharks, spiders and a host of other dangerous beasts. But he wouldn't have it any other way.

"You could spend 100 lifetimes going out looking for wild animals and still not see everything, still not see a portion of everything," he says. "There's still so much that I'd love to film."

For more on Deadly 60 and Backshall's golden eagle costar, check out the video above!

Deadly 60 airs at 10 p.m. on Mondays on Nat Geo Wild.

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