On the first day of school, it's not surprising to see some new faces on campus. But no one expected the visitor that showed up at one Los Angeles school in 2021. According to ABC News, around 7:20 a.m., a coyote walked into an 8th-grade classroom and sat down in a corner.
The animal was escorted out before classes started, but its visit highlights a startling fact. Coyotes inhabit most of North America, and cities are no exception.
Coyotes once lived only in parts of western and central North America. But their range began expanding in the early 1900s. That's partly because other predators like wolves and cougars were driven out of many places. This made room for coyotes, which can thrive in different environments, from deserts to wetlands. According to National Geographic, coyotes' North American habitat has increased by about 40 percent since the 1950s.
Today, most of the continent is coyote country. They live in every U.S. state except Hawaii, and they don't stick to wild places. "We have coyotes everywhere—every neighborhood, every [small] city, and downtown," said Dr. Stan Gehrt. He's a wildlife ecologist at Ohio State University. In addition to Los Angeles, coyotes are found in cities like Chicago, Miami, and Washington, D.C. In 2015, CNN reported that one especially agile individual was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
Why are coyotes so at home in cities? They adapt easily. Unlike animals with specialized diets, coyotes are omnivores. They eat wild prey, like rabbits and squirrels, as well as fruits and vegetables. All of these are often abundant in urban areas. Plus, coyotes can live alone, in pairs, or in packs. They adopt whichever strategy offers the best chance at survival where they live.
To survive in the city, it helps to be crafty. According to The Conversation, research shows coyotes "are good at adapting to human-built environments and navigating urban areas without being seen by humans."
Dr. Gehrt agrees. "They have this amazing balance between being bold enough to hunt…and being shy or savvy enough to avoid being killed themselves," he said. In other words, coyotes are smart…even though they're not allowed to hang around in classrooms.
Coyotes' ability to adapt and thrive in urban environments poses challenges for both humans and wildlife. While coyotes can help control rodent populations and maintain ecosystem balance, their presence in cities can also lead to conflicts with humans, pets, and livestock.
To address these challenges, experts recommend taking precautions, such as securing trash cans, removing outdoor food sources, and keeping small pets indoors or on a leash. Education and coexistence programs can also help communities understand and peacefully coexist with coyotes.
Overall, the presence of coyotes in cities serves as a reminder of the resilience and adaptability of wildlife in the face of urbanization. By understanding and respecting these wild neighbors, we can work towards creating a harmonious relationship between humans and wildlife in urban environments.
What cause-and-effect relationship is described in this article?
Coyotes' habitat has expanded because they can adapt to any environment.
Coyotes do not thrive in wild environments because they can only survive on plants.
Coyotes do not thrive in human-built environments because they can only survive on wildlife.
Coyotes' habitat has expanded because they prefer to live with humans.
The cause-and-effect relationship described in this article is: Coyotes' habitat has expanded because they can adapt to any environment.
Which passage from the article best supports the idea that coyotes adapt easily?
In 2015, CNN reported that one especially agile individual was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
Plus, coyotes can live alone, in pairs, or in packs. They adopt whichever strategy offers the best chance at survival where they live.
In other words, coyotes are smart…even though they're not allowed to hang around in classrooms.
According to National Geographic, coyotes' North American habitat has increased by about 40 percent since the 1950s.
The passage "Plus, coyotes can live alone, in pairs, or in packs. They adopt whichever strategy offers the best chance at survival where they live." best supports the idea that coyotes adapt easily. This passage highlights the flexibility and adaptability of coyotes in choosing the best survival strategy based on their environment.
Which is the closest antonym for the word agile, as it is used in the article?
graceful
dizzy
clumsy
playful
The closest antonym for the word "agile" as it is used in the article would be "clumsy." Agile refers to being nimble, quick, and able to move with ease, while clumsy refers to being awkward, uncoordinated, and lacking in gracefulness.
Based on the article, which is true?
Wildlife ecologists have learned that coyotes can thrive only when living in packs.
Wildlife ecologists have found that coyotes can thrive only in desert environments.
Coyotes are good at living in cities because they can move around without being seen.
Coyotes are rarely seen in cities because they have been driven out by other predators.