The Life of Mammals

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  E1

  A Winning Design

  From the tiniest bat to the massive blue whale, all mammals share the ability to nurture their young on milk and regulate their own temperatures.

  2002-11-20 · 58m
• 
  E2

  Insect Hunters

  Mammals from tiny shrews to giant anteaters have specialised in eating insects. Some have even pursued their prey into the skies.

  2002-11-27 · 58m
• 
  E3

  Plant Predators

  The plant eaters take on the largely indigestible, spiny and poisonous defences of plants with some spectacular physical adaptations to diet.

  2002-12-04 · 58m
• 
  E4

  Chisellers

  Special tools like chisel sharp front teeth and underground dwelling enable this group of mammals to feast on roots and seeds.

  2002-12-11 · 58m
• 
  E5

  Meat Eaters

  Predators and prey must evolve speed, endurance and manoeuvrability to outwit each other, and the pack hunters must maintain order in the ranks.

  2002-12-18 · 58m
• 
  E6

  Opportunists

  A mammal capable of having a varied diet can be highly adaptable and exploit new environments including the cities where they thrive.

  2003-01-08 · 58m
• 
  E7

  Return to the Water

  With perfect streamlined bodies and great underwater speed, seals, dolphins, porpoises and whales became the new hunters of the sea..

  2003-01-15 · 58m
• 
  E8

  Life in the Trees

  A range of adaptations from sucker-feet to gripping tails help the tree dwellers to survive, and in the dark forest super senses come in to play.

  2003-01-22 · 58m
• 
  E9

  Social Climbers

  In the daily hubbub of monkey life, only those with a talent for social wheeler dealing get ahead, driving the shift towards larger brains.

  2003-01-29 · 58m
• 
  E10

  Food for Thought

  The natural world was transformed when one great ape began to walk upright - us. But why has this led to the development of our extraordinary brains?

  2003-02-05 · 58m

Top cast

David Attenborough

Self - Presenter