The Life of Mammals — Season 1

Aired 20 November 2002 • 58 min

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.

Aired 27 November 2002 • 58 min

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

Aired 4 December 2002 • 58 min

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

Aired 11 December 2002 • 58 min

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

Aired 18 December 2002 • 58 min

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

Aired 8 January 2003 • 58 min

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

Aired 15 January 2003 • 58 min

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

Aired 22 January 2003 • 58 min

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.

Aired 29 January 2003 • 58 min

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

Aired 5 February 2003 • 58 min

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?