Winner of 2003 People's Choice' Book Awards for best General Knowledge title

David Attenborough introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever to live on Earth. From the smallest - the two-inch pygmy shrew - to the largest, the blue whale; from the slowest - the sloth - to the swiftest, the cheetah; from the least attractive - the naked mole rat - to the most irresistible, a human baby.

Published to accompany David Attenborough's landmark ten-part BBC1 series Life of Mammals is the story of 4,000 species; species that have outlived the dinosaurs and conquered the farthest places on Earth.

The Pioneers - small creatures the size of mice lived alongside the dinosaurs: then took advantage of their demise to colonise the planet

The Insect Eaters - mammals, like armadillos, bats and anteaters, make meals of the most abundant creature on Earth

The Root Raiders and Seed Stealers - tool-using mammals like chipmunks and porcupines thrive on the food reserves store in roots and seeds

The Leaf Eaters - grass and leaves are abundant but largely indigestible: some mammals have evolved to crack this problem

The Hunters - speed, endurance and manoeuvrability are essentials of the hunters; why do some mammals hunt in packs, while others hunt alone

The Omnivores - many mammals are able to adapt their diets according to season, or have learned to hibernate through the winter when food is sparse

The Return to the Water - ocean mammals can take advantage of huge food stocks; how do seals, dolphins and whales breathe air yet swim to great depths

The Tree-Dwellers - creatures such as flying squirrels and colugos travel by gliding high among the tree-tops: but sloths hardly move at all

The Grasping Hands - only one group of mammals, the primates, have hands to grasp branches and pluck their food; but life for them requires sharp senses and quick intelligence

The Ultimate Lords - 5 million years ago a group of primates left the trees and became ground-living nomads; by growing crops and domesticating animals they transformed the natural worl

David Attenborough introduces us to the most diverse group of animals ever

David Attenborough, Mammals, Nature