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5 Animals That Have Adapted to Urban Life

5 Animals That Have Adapted to Urban Life

October 20, 20179138Views

While the encroachment of humans into the territories of other animal species has been detrimental to many, there are numerous animals that have adapted to urban life. Birds, in particular, have been successful at that, but there are also larger mammals that have managed to make themselves at home in cities. The following are 5 of those animals that are commonly found thriving in urban environments.

1. Pigeons

Pigeons at feet
Photo from Taylor Deas-Melesh/Unsplash

It would be impossible to discuss animals that have adapted to urban life without mentioning pigeons. They have become an expected part of living in a city as their numbers seem to be always increasing. Since their natural habitat consists of cliffs, it is not a big transition for them to adapt to tall buildings in cities. Like many other urban animals, they are able to thrive on scraps left behind by humans and are also frequently fed by pigeon loving people.

2. Coyotes

Coyotes
Photo from Josh Felise/Unsplash

Coyotes are highly adaptable and intelligent animals and are able to live in a wide variety of environments. They are less wary of humans than many of their canid relatives, such as wolves, which means they are not afraid to come into urban environments to follow the small prey animals that have adapted to urban life. Despite their close proximity to humans, coyotes are exceptionally skilled at remaining unseen.

3. Crows

Crows
Photo from Kasturi Roy/Unsplash

The Corvidae family consists of some of the most intelligent bird species in the world, one of which is the crow. These birds have used their smarts to adapt incredibly well to living in urban environments. They are scavengers who thrive on the abundance of roadkill found wherever humans live.

4. Raccoons

Nocturnal Racoon
Photo by vincentdoerig/Unsplash

Raccoons are not picky when it comes to their diet, which is why they are successful in living in urban and suburban environments. They are happy to eat the things that humans throw out, digging through garbage cans at night.

5. Bats

Bats
Photo from Tom Bixler/Unsplash

Depending on the species, bats can act as pollinators and insect control. That makes them a very useful addition to the cities where they have moved in. Living in man-made buildings and other structures keeps them warmer than caves, helping them thrive.

Featured Image from Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash