Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Beautiful animal docu has warning for human species.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Mammals
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Hosted by naturalist Sir David Attenborough, MAMMALS is a British docuseries that demonstrates how mammals all over the world succeed in surviving and thriving. From how the elusive fennec fox listens for for prey buried in the Sahara desert sands to hairy armadillos mating in the fields of Argentina, it shows how different species of mammals live and the interesting ways they find to survive their often harsh environments. It also reveals how some animals, like the city of Chicago's wild coyotes, have changed their nocturnal habits to avoid predators, including humans. Meanwhile, the series also highlights how mammals, including humans, have managed to adapt to environmental changes over the years, and how climate change is forcing them to continue doing so to avoid extinction.
Is It Any Good?
Informative and strikingly beautiful, this natural history docuseries highlights how mammals manage to survive on the planet, and how the most advanced mammals (i.e., humans) are making it harder for all of us to live here. Like most of Sir David Attenborough's wildlife documentaries, Mammals is beautifully produced, and allows viewers to see some popular—and some of the most rarely seen—mammals hunting, digging, eating, hiding, and mating in order to keep themselves alive. The behavioral patterns of each featured mammal species is highlighted, as are the aspects of each animal's physical makeup and natural instincts that allow them to do what they do. Not surprisingly, it also contains clear pro-environmentalist themes, including polite commentary about things like deforestation and global warming, none of which seem out of place given the subject matter. At the end of each episode, some behind-the-scenes conversations explain the work and strategy that went into producing the episode. If you love nature, animals, or just a well-produced documentary, this one will not disappoint.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about mammals. How are mammals different from birds or reptiles? How many species of mammals are there in the world?
Why are documentaries like Mammals so hard to produce? Why is it important to keep producing them?
TV Details
- Premiere date: July 17, 2024
- Cast: David Attenborough
- Network: BBC America
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice , Ocean Creatures , Science and Nature , Wild Animals
- Character Strengths: Communication
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Award: Common Sense Selection
- Last updated: July 18, 2024
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
What to Watch Next
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate