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 and sat down in a corner.
The animal was led out before classes started. But its visit brings attention to a startling fact. Coyotes inhabit 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. 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. They can live in deserts and in 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 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 a coyote was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
Why are coyotes so at home in cities? They adapt easily. Unlike animals with limited diets, coyotes are omnivores. They eat wild animals, 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 them the best chance at staying alive where they live.
To live in the city, it helps to be crafty. According to The Conversation, coyotes "are good at adapting to human-built environments. [They can navigate] urban areas 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…even though they're not allowed to hang around in classrooms. Think about the article. Because coyotes are omnivores, __________.
A.they are welcome in classrooms
B.they are good at sneaking around without being seen
C.they are smart and crafty
D.they are able to find food easily in cities
D. they are able to find food easily in cities
Which passage from the article best supports the idea that coyotes are able to adapt?
A.Plus, coyotes can live alone, in pairs, or in packs. They adopt whichever strategy offers them the best chance at staying alive where they live.
B.According to National Geographic, coyotes' North American habitat has grown. It's increased by about 40 percent since the 1950s.
C.In 2015, CNN reported that a coyote was spotted on a New York City rooftop.
D.In other words, coyotes are smart…even though they're not allowed to hang around in classrooms.
A. Plus, coyotes can live alone, in pairs, or in packs. They adopt whichever strategy offers them the best chance at staying alive where they live.
The article states:
Why are coyotes so at home in cities? They adapt easily. Unlike animals with limited diets, coyotes are omnivores. They eat wild animals, like rabbits and squirrels, as well as fruits and vegetables. All of these are often abundant in urban areas.
Which phrase from the passage helps you understand the meaning of the word urban?
A.often abundant
B.at home in cities
C.unlike animals
D.as well as fruits
B. at home in cities
Based on the article, which is true?
A.Coyotes are rarely seen in cities because they have been driven out by other predators.
B.Wildlife ecologists have found that coyotes can thrive only in desert environments.
C.Coyotes are good at living in cities because they can move around without being seen.
D.Wildlife ecologists have learned that coyotes can thrive only when living in packs.