The Life of Mammals

A Winning Design

2002-11-20 · 58m

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.

Insect Hunters

2002-11-27 · 58m

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

Plant Predators

2002-12-04 · 58m

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

Chisellers

2002-12-11 · 58m

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

Meat Eaters

2002-12-18 · 58m

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

Opportunists

2003-01-08 · 58m

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

Return to the Water

2003-01-15 · 58m

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

Life in the Trees

2003-01-22 · 58m

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.

Social Climbers

2003-01-29 · 58m

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

Food for Thought

2003-02-05 · 58m

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?