The Life of Mammals

Season 12002

David Attenborough presents a nature documentary series looking at why mammals are the most successful creatures on the planet.

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10 Episodes

E01 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.

November 20, 2002

E02 Insect Hunters

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

November 27, 2002

E03 Plant Predators

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

December 4, 2002

E04 Chisellers

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

December 11, 2002

E05 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.

December 18, 2002

E06 Opportunists

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

January 8, 2003

E07 Return to the Water

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

January 15, 2003

E08 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.

January 22, 2003

E09 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.

January 29, 2003

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?

February 5, 2003

The Life of Mammals

E01 A Winning Design

E02 Insect Hunters

E03 Plant Predators

E04 Chisellers

E05 Meat Eaters

E06 Opportunists

E07 Return to the Water

E08 Life in the Trees

E09 Social Climbers

E10 Food for Thought

Michael Palin's New Europe

The Nightmare

The Green Trail

Happy Days

The Blue Planet

The Grand Tour

Planet Earth

Chicago Fire

The Walking Dead

Game of Thrones

Breaking Bad

Stranger Things

Money Heist

Dexter

Black Mirror

The Mandalorian

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners

Sherlock

The Simpsons

Chernobyl

E01 A Winning Design

E02 Insect Hunters

E03 Plant Predators

E04 Chisellers

E05 Meat Eaters

E06 Opportunists

E07 Return to the Water

E08 Life in the Trees

E09 Social Climbers

E10 Food for Thought