Hunting orcas, diving monkeys and star-nosed moles feature in episode three of Sir David Attenborough’s stunning new wildlife series, Mammals. Find out what else to expect from the episode, plus how to watch it.
Episode three of Sir David Attenborough‘s latest series Mammals is all about water.
Very few mammals have managed to lose all ties with land and conquer life in water, one of the greatest challenges for an air breathing mammal. Those that have are some of the cleverest of all, forming surprising bonds not just amongst their own but with other species as well.
- Mammals episode one: What to expect from the ‘Dark’ episode
- Mammals episode two: What to expect from ‘The New Wild’ episode
- Learn more about mammals
What can we expect from episode three of Mammals?
Less than 2% of mammal species are considered truly marine mammals. Those that have mastered the art of living in water have become some of the most specialised creatures on the planet, characterised by their intelligence, ingenuity and adaptability.
In the ‘Water’ episode, the Mammals team take you on a journey from inland freshwater pools, where monkeys forage for food, to the mysterious deep ocean, where the largest toothed predator on Earth, the sperm whale, pursues its prey.
Back at the surface, witness the birth of a huge sperm whale calf, and watch orcas hunting a young humpback with never-seen-before behaviour.
Off the coast of New Zealand, false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins hunt together, while nearer shore a dolphin mother overcomes the problems of hunting in the warm shallow waters of Florida Bay, by creating rings of muddy water in order to catch fish and feed her family.
One of the most curious mammals featured in this episode is the unique and bizarre star-nosed mole, with its highly sensitive nose and paddle-like feet. This creature has successfully managed to straddle both land and water, hunting underground and underwater.
In Mexico, coastal coyotes have learnt they can benefit from the daily offerings washed up on the shore with each new tide, helping them to not just survive, but thrive, on the harsh fringes between the barren desert and fertile Pacific Ocean.
When and where to watch episode three of Mammals
The third episode of Mammals will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7pm on Sunday 14 April. Episodes will be released weekly.
Find out more about Mammals.