Cities are expanding, and wildlife is finding its way into urban spaces. The urban environment presents unique challenges for animals. From adapting to lack of natural food sources to dealing with pollutants, they have had to evolve essentially to survive. Here are five ways animals have learned to thrive in the city.
1. Diet Shifts
Animals such as pigeons have learned to comfortably adapt their diets to urban environments. While in a natural habitat, pigeons eat grains, fruits and seeds, but in cities, they feed on discarded food from restaurants, tourists, and locals. Rats in New York City have adapted to feeding on scraps found in dumpsters and other places where humans dispose of waste.
2. Behavioral Adaptations
Many animals have evolved to be active at night when it's quieter and less likely to encounter humans. Raccoons and bats are active at night, and raccoons have learned to open garbage cans and steal food wastes. Birds like seagulls have learned to follow street vendors for easy access to scraps.
3. Changes in Physical Appearance
Some animals have undergone evolutionary changes in their appearance to blend better with the urban environment. Moths and butterflies, for example, have developed darker wings over generations to camouflage with smog and industrial soot. This adaptation makes them less visible to predators.
4. Improved Immune Systems
Animals, especially rodents living in urban areas, are more exposed to unhygienic conditions, pollutants, and other toxins that make them more susceptible to disease. In response, some species like rats have developed an improved immune system, allowing them to cope better with city life.
5. Using Human-made Structures
Urban animals use human-made structures for shelter and safety. Birds construct nests in urban bridges and buildings, while raccoons use attics as their homes. Some animals like squirrels have learned to use power lines as transportation routes that are safe from predators.
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