Mammals from tiny shrews to giant anteaters have specialised in eating insects. Some have even pursued their prey into the skies.

The plant eaters take on the largely indigestible, spiny and poisonous defences of plants with some spectacular physical adaptations to diet.

A mammal capable of having a varied diet can be highly adaptable and exploit new environments including the cities where they thrive.

A range of adaptations from sucker-feet to gripping tails help the tree dwellers to survive, and in the dark forest super senses come in to play.

In the daily hubbub of monkey life, only those with a talent for social wheeler dealing get ahead, driving the shift towards larger brains.

The natural world was transformed when one great ape began to walk upright - us. But why has this led to the development of our extraordinary brains?