Beginning Sunday, April 20 at 8:00 PM ET/PT, BBC Earth (Canada) presents a sweeping exploration of the animal kingdom with Sir David Attenborough’s new six-part series, “Mammals.” The series aims to explain the remarkable success of these diverse creatures, from their mastery of the shadows to their ingenious adaptations to the harshest environments.
“Mammals” examines how these warm-blooded animals have conquered every corner of the globe. The series highlights their clever design, adaptability, intelligence, and complex social structures as keys to their widespread success. Each hour-long episode focuses on a distinct habitat, revealing the unique challenges and remarkable adaptations of the mammals that call these places home.
The series kicks off with “Dark,” exploring how nocturnal mammals developed heightened senses to thrive in the shadows. Subsequent episodes delve into different environments: “Cold” examines survival in frozen landscapes, “Heat” features creatures adapted to scorching deserts like the Australian outback, “Water” looks at those who’ve made the ocean their domain, “Forest” uncovers the intricate lives of mammals within woodland ecosystems, and “The New Wild” focuses on their resilience in a human-altered world.
Specific facts add depth to the series. In “The New Wild,” Attenborough revisits the challenges facing mammals two decades after his “Life of Mammals” series, noting the concerning decline of wild mammal biomass to less than 6%. Other episodes highlight remarkable feats, such as mammals surviving in frigid conditions thanks to ingenuity and thick fur, and the incredible challenges faced by air-breathing mammals adapting to life in water.
“Mammals” is a joint project between BBC Studios Natural History Unit, BBC America, ZDF, Youku, and France Télévisions. Catch it on BBC Earth in Canada (available via Prime Video Channels). Episodes are available to stream weekly starting April 21, 2025. Canadian viewers can also enjoy a nationwide free preview of BBC Earth from February 24 to April 27.
