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Themes and Variations

Episode 10 of 13

David Attenborough looks at some of the huge variety of mammals. The tree shrew has attracted great interest as it shows how mammals may have originated.

A little furry animal from the jungles of South East Asia, called a tree shrew, has attracted great interest from scientists because it shows how a great group of animals may have originated - the mammals.

David Attenborough looks at some of the huge variety of mammals. Bats number over a thousand species, many hunt insects, some sip nectar, drink blood, and even catch fish. Contrast those which use sonar with the great whales that sing, the star-nosed mole and the giant anteater, and the potential variations become dramatically clear.

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55 minutes

Last on

Sat 1 Mar 2014 09:05
BBC Two

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The Rise of the Mammals

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The Hunters and the Hunted

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Credits

Presenter David Attenborough
Producer Richard Brock

Broadcasts

  • Tue 20 Mar 1979 20:10
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Sun 25 Mar 1979 19:20
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Tue 6 May 1980 19:35
    BBC One
  • Wed 6 Jan 1982 18:00
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Mon 3 Nov 1986 19:35
    BBC One
  • Sun 19 Jul 1992 19:15
    BBC Two except East, South East & Yorkshire
  • Fri 8 Feb 2013 16:15
    BBC Two Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland & England only
  • Sat 1 Mar 2014 09:05
    BBC Two HD, Scotland, England, Northern Ireland & Wales only

David Attenborough's favourite moments from 30 years of broadcasting

David Attenborough's favourite moments from 30 years of broadcasting

From close encounters with rare creatures to poignant insight on the state of the planet.