‘Mammals’ (2024) Recap: ‘Water’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from Episode 103 of ‘Mammals’ – ‘Water’ Courtesy of BBC America.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Mammals’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is outright safe to say, that for a majority of human beings on the planet, water is nothing short of an afterthought. For so many of us see water as a recreational tool, and we don’t give all that much thought to how lucky we are to be able to have so much fresh water to consume and use. And we think that way, simply because the modern world has made it a convenience, when in fact… it is a precious resource that not every human has access to, even in 2024, and wildlife depends upon in ways we simply don’t think about. Which is why this week’s episode of Mammals on BBC America is of note. Simply because ‘Water’ showcased how valuable it is to the animals of the world.

In part by showing us… how land-based mammals depend upon it to eat. For there are macaque monkeys in the world that live near freshwater ponds. For those ponds provide them with lily flowers that have all the caloric content they need to help get them through the seasons, not to mention, beneath the water they can feast upon the seed pods for those very flowers. Making water critical to their survival and they’re not the only ones. For there are coyotes off the coast of Mexico that rely on what washes up from the ocean to feed their pack, and this works so well that it is indeed commonplace to see them watching and waiting and searching for a meal. Making it clear how important water is to survival for land-based animals on Earth and of course… there are plenty who live in the water that make use of its bounty to thrive.

Since there are dolphins out there who travel about in a pod and find the right area within the waters, they traverse… to take part in group activities to feed. Wherein dolphins use their tales to kick up dirt to confuse and corral their prey so they can enjoy a meal and thrive, and you’ll also find seals from Galapagos that venture away from the shores for teamwork feeding. For they will work with other predators, that corral and control schools of fish to enjoy their bounties. All of which serves as fine reminder of how the water provides for the animals of the world that live inside of it, and this segment of the story showcased how dangerous life in the water, can be as well. Since we learned that some of the predators of the world know to hang out near where some of these animals live, to take full advantage of the weak.

Such as the pods of killer whales that outright hunt the young humpback whales that are born in the world. For they know exactly where they and their mother are at their most vulnerable and confuse the mother to pull the baby away and feast, and since the humpback whale population is growing again… they have plenty to eat. If anything, this final leg of our exploration of mammals in the water just outright showcased how mammals thrive in the water and how they will continue to do so for generations and ages on end. Since all of these species have settled into routine and patterns of survival, and for proof… just look at those killer whales and the sperm whales that go through familiar motions to raise their young.

In the end, this was simply a fascinating tale. One that really did offer up a grand lesson in how critical water is to life on Earth. Since it clearly gives every mammal on this planet, be them land-based, hybrid or outright ocean species… every chance to thrive, and without water… one can only wonder how quickly the beauty of these animals would be lost. Which speaks to how we need to make sure to stop taking water for granted and protect it and expand access to it. Because it really is the core building block of life on this planet and without it, all would perish. All of which served as a fine reminder of how delicate life on Earth truly is, and how lucky we are to be part of it and to have something so critical in abundance. Until next time.

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