Mammals and the Survival of the Smallest
After the dinosaurs dominated Earth for millions of years, their enormous size became a disadvantage when a catastrophic extinction changed the planet. This clip from BBC’s Evolution episode "The Elephant" follows the small, adaptable ancestors of elephants as they survive in the aftermath, when being tiny, flexible, and able to eat a wide range of foods becomes a major evolutionary advantage.
The video also explores one of the challenges these early mammals faced as plant eaters: digesting tough cellulose. Their solution was a partnership with microbes living in their guts, which can break down plant material that the animals cannot digest on their own. This symbiotic relationship helped early afrotherians thrive and spread into the habitats left open after the dinosaurs disappeared.
Go on an epic four billion year adventure travelling through time to uncover how life on earth evolved. Learn more.
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In Old Grande's Mating Dance, Old Grande tries to win over a female with an elaborate courtship display. She responds in kind until Old Grande goes too far. This video is excerpted from BBC's Walking With Dinosaurs, a legendary program that introduces six iconic dinosaurs emerging from incredible digs. This video is part our Walking With Dinosaurs Virtual Field Trip.
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