On the first day of school, it's not surprising to see some new faces. 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. It sat down in a corner.
The animal was led out before classes started. But its visit brings attention to a startling fact. Coyotes live in most of North America, including cities.
Coyotes once lived only in parts of western and central North America. But their range began widening in the early 1900s. Why is that? It's because other predators like wolves and cougars were driven out of many places. This made room for coyotes. These animals can thrive in different environments, from deserts to wetlands. According to National Geographic, coyotes' North American habitat has grown. It's 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 scientist 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 a coyote was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
Why are coyotes so at home in cities? First, they're omnivores. They eat wild animals, like rabbits and squirrels, as well as fruits and vegetables. All of these are often found in cities. Plus, coyotes can live alone or in pairs. Or they can live in packs. They do whatever gives them the best chance at staying alive where they live.
According to The Conversation, coyotes are crafty. They're good at adapting to human-built environments. They can sneak around without being seen by humans.
Dr. Gehrt agrees. He says coyotes are bold enough to hunt but also clever enough to avoid being killed themselves. In other words, coyotes are smart. But they're still not allowed to hang around in classrooms.
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QUESTION 2
QUESTION 2 OF 4
2 / 4
Which passage from the article best supports the idea that coyotes are able to adapt?
A.[Coyotes] do whatever gives them the best chance at staying alive where they live.
B.In 2015, CNN reported that a coyote was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
C.But no one expected the visitor that showed up at one Los Angeles school in 2021.
D.[Coyotes are] still not allowed to hang around in classrooms.