How Animals Adapt to Cities

For the entirety of existence wildlife has thrived in nature without our modern cities. 

The sudden expansion of humanity has certainly done a number on many wild creatures, and it’s completely changing the ecosystem of Earth itself! 

While some animals have suffered as a result of human expansion, other creatures have adapted rapidly to urban environments, and new species have in fact emerged as a result of our urban cities. 

The video version of this post has some fascinating footage, which you can watch HERE

Feel free to download the audio-only podcast by pressing the download button as well! 

Anyways, some insects have rapidly developed into entirely new species as a result of our modern cities. 

One type of insect nicknamed the London Underground Mosquito has distinct differences from other mosquitoes. 

These mosquitoes have evolved to thrive inside of London’s underground metro systems, whereas other mosquitoes are more adapted for life on the outside. 

Many other animals are adapting to urban life in fascinating ways that scientists could not have predicted. 

Take the raccoon for example. Outside in nature they are more exposed, more prone to illness or death, and more likely to die. Our urban environments provide them with food + shelter, helping them to thrive. 

A recent study done on raccoons also proved that urban raccoons were significantly more intelligent than raccoons found naturally in nature. We have made other content about this- our cities are effectively training grounds for increasing intelligence in many types of wild creatures! 

Raccoons, skunks, rats, mice, possums, dogs, and cats have all adapted to our urban environments because of their increasing intelligence, ability to shrink into small places, and increased shelter they get. 

But even birds are benefiting quite a bit. 

One species of birds nicknamed the “Crows of Sendai” in Japan have adapted in a fascinating way. 

The crows typically grab walnuts and drop them from a high height in order to break it open to eat it. The Crows in the Japanese city of Sendai have discovered it’s much more efficient to place the walnuts in front of slowly moving vehicles to let the tires crush the walnet. 

These crows can now be observed grabbing walnuts and placing them on the roads for our cars to break so that they can eat them! 

Insects adapt quite quickly to our urban environments. One study estimated that on New York’s Broadway ants may eat an estimated 2,100 pounds or 544 kilograms of food found on the ground per year- this is the equivalent of 60,000 hot dogs! 

So why is it that some creatures are able to adapt quickly to our urban environments while others aren’t? 

One theory is that many of these creatures- especially the insects- have shorter birth/death cycles, making mutations & diversity more likely to happen quickly. 

The lifespan of other wild animals can be much longer (for example on humans we have an average of one new generation every 20 years). The longer the lifespan and slower the new generations come about, the less likely we’ll be to see change quickly. 

Insects are especially fairing well in our urban environments, which is likely due to the fact that they reproduce and die rather quickly. Insects that are not capable of handling our new urban cities will die quickly, whereas those that can adapt will reproduce quickly, creating more variants that are more likely to be adapted to the city. 

The same is true of other small rodents. Raccoons get a new generation every 1-2 years, and urban raccoons are more likely to survive if they are smarter + kinder to humans, so they are evolving in that way as non-smart and aggressive animals start to die off. 

We can’t say for sure what will happen in the coming years, but one thing is certain: wild animals, insects, and even plants are rapidly adapting to our cities and leveraging our inefficiencies (such as food waste) in order to thrive. 

Note that we aren’t saying this is a good or bad thing. This is just what is happening, and we should still make sure to preserve natural areas and biodiversity. 

All that being said, wild animals are getting smarter and smarter, and because of this intelligence they are infesting people’s homes with ever-increasing frequency! 

If you think that you have a wildlife or pest problem, Wildlife x Team International specializes in safe & responsible removal of wild animals + pest. 

Call us at 855-WILDLIFE or visit www.wildlifexteam.com if you think you have a wildlife or pest problem! 

Thanks for reading! 
-Wildlife x Team International 

 

Submit a Comment

* Required Field
Offering
  • Pest X Team Logo
  • Junk X Team Logo
  • X Team Services Logo
  • X Team Bird Control Logo
  • Gutter X Team Logo
  • Mosquito X Team Logo
As Featured on These Networks & Affiliates
  • Apple News Logo
  • Fox Logo
Affiliations:
  • Elite Service Logo
  • National Pest Management Association Logo
  • NWCOA Logo
  • If you have raccoons in your attic, garage, or other areas of your home, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today! Wildlife X Team are experts in raccoon removal and exclusion services.
  • Squirrel problems are rampant nationally. Squirrels can cause extensive damage in and around homes, including soiling floors and walls. Squirrels don't stand a chance against Wildlife X Team®'s trained professional staff.
  • Rodent problems are common for homeowners, but Wildlife X Team® can help you prevent rodents from getting in your walls or your attic. Keep rodents out of your home by calling today!
  • Removing and relocating bats is best left to professionals, as bats will bite and scratch if threatened. If you see signs of bats on your property or want to know how to get rid of bats from your attic and chimney, please call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007.
  • Although armadillos have no reason to get into houses, there is a lot of damage armadillos can cause. Their diet consists mostly of grubs and insects, but when they burrow, it can affect the very structure of buildings. Call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Whether you are facing a snake infestation on your property or just notice a single snake, call (817) 431-3007 at Wildlife X Team® today. Most snakes are harmless, some are venomous, and we can remove all kinds of snakes safely and quickly.
  • Birds can add a lot of enjoyment to the outdoor experience, but sometimes they cause trouble. If you're having an issue with problem birds like pigeons, starlings, or sparrows, give Wildlife X Team® a call at (817) 431-3007.
  • At Wildlife X Team®, we offer worry-free opossum removal and trapping. We can also repair any opossum damage.
  • Infamous for their defense mechanism, skunks are smelly creatures. This unique critter releases a scent to ward off predators and stay safe, and it smells offensive and can be dangerous.
  • Coyotes, a relative of the canine, are known for terrorizing livestock, and even household pets. Coyotes are often active at night, and homeowners often report the howling cries of these medium-sized creatures.
  • Badgers are notorious for having a bite that rivals their bark — despite their less-than-formidable size! Badgers have been known to fight animals as large as a bear!
  • Beaver damage is primarily to landscapes like riverbeds and lakesides. If you discover beaver damage in your property, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 to help relocate beavers and repair any damages caused by these flat-tailed critters.
  • Nocturnal creatures, bobcats will take down any prey necessary, especially livestock. Bobcats are territorial and will often return to the property they have claimed as their own, especially if there is a steady food source.
  • Chipmunks can be annoying and clever creatures, but they're no match for Wildlife X Team®. We offer chipmunk removal, and chipmunk damage repair services, plus we know how to keep chipmunks from coming back!
  • Fox landscape damage and feeding behaviors can affect homeowners' safety, so it's important to not approach a fox if you see one in the wild or on your property. Wildlife X Team® offers fox removal, fox trapping, and fox prevention. Call today!
  • Lizards, similar in appearance to snakes, can be frightening if you spot one in the wild or in your home, and although they don't typically attack residents, it's still good to not approach lizards.
  • Mole damage is most commonly found on landscapes, and sometimes humans don't even come into contact with them, but they definitely experience mole damage.
  • If you have discovered scorpion(s) in your garden or on your property, call us today for scorpion removal services.
  • Voles are not often spotted by humans, but vole damage is visible. For vole trapping, vole removal, and vole damage repair services, call Wildlife X Team® today!
  • Infestations of bugs are common, so if you are facing an insect infestation, don't panic—we can help kill insects and get rid of them inside and outside your home.
  • Wild hog trapping and wild hog prevention are the most effective means of wild hog removal. Due to the aggressive nature of wild hogs, we do not recommend DIY wild hog trapping.
  • Termite infestations are common inside homes and on properties, so if you are dealing with insects, call Wildlife X Team® at (817) 431-3007 today to get rid of your termite problem fast and effectively!
  • Bee and wasp infestations are common, so if you are facing a stinging insect infestation, don't panic — we can help get rid of them inside and outside your home.
About
Wildlife X Team is rapidly becoming the leader in the nuisance wildlife control industry. We lead the way in the development of technology, education, products and services in Wildlife Management.
Read More About Us
100% Financing
SuperMoney offers 100% financing up to $100,000 and 30 second approvals. You'll fill out one easy form and get competing pre-approved loan offers back in real time.
Apply Now
Wildlife X Team offers an exclusive Wildlife Inspection Report® which includes commonly overlooked areas where wildlife can enter and infest your home.
Project: Install Spray Foam Insulation
This company's installation saved us hundreds of dollars this past winter and summer. They did a superb job and cleaned up after themselves.
Susan W., Arlington, TX