Urban Wildlife in City Parks and Streets
From Squirrels and Birds to Mammals Living Among People
Some animals are almost invisible, hiding from view, but others boldly share streets and yards with people, making little secret of their lives. The presence of wild animals in many North American cities almost seems like a throwback to earlier days before urban development reached its current level. From migrating geese to the dreaded skunk lurking in the shadows, wild animals are a fascinating, if sometimes disruptive, part of living in many North American towns and cities.
Skunks and Their Habits
Most people are familiar with some of the most visible urban animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, and insects, but they may only occasionally see nocturnal creatures such as skunks or raccoons. According to the Urban Wildlife website, all four species of these rodents living in North America are omnivores, eating everything from plants and fruits to eggs and small mammals. Skunks hibernate in winter, burrowing into sheltered spots for extra warmth. They are naturally social animals, and several skunks will often hibernate together in the same den.
Learning to Live With Skunks
Of all the urban animals, skunks are perhaps the most feared, and not without reason. Although their capacity to make a mess of overturned garbage cans can be annoying, the characteristic people fear most about skunks is their spray, a strong noxious smell they emit when threatened. They use this weapon to defend themselves or their young only when other measures such as stamping their feet or growling in warning are ineffective, but it is a very effective deterrent for predators. Most people learn to avoid skunks, but often dogs venture too close to the animals and get sprayed. For these reasons, people will often try to trap or poison skunks, although if treated with respect, the animals can often live beside humans quite peacefully.
Canada Geese and Their Migrations
Much more pleasant than the skunks are the geese that inhabit many northern locations during the summer months. For many people, the return of the geese from their winter refuge is a sign of spring, indicating that the long, cold season of snow is almost over. According to Ducks Unlimited, geese can fly up to 1000 kilometers (approximately 620 miles) in a single day during their fall migration. In spring, the trip is more relaxed, with the birds stopping to rest along the way. As these herbivorous birds make their way to or from their summer homes, they gather together in marshes, ponds, and fields, grazing on grass, leaves, or grain
When and Where to See Canada Geese
Except in large ponds or ditches, Canada geese are seen in cities mainly during migration or nesting time, and the birds generally coexist with city dwellers quite peacefully. In the United States, farmers sometimes kill geese to prevent them from destroying crops, but the birds’ protected status in Canada gives them the chance to raise their young in relative safety. However, the dangers of wild predators, pet dogs, and accidents still claim the lives of many geese.
From a majestic national symbol to an animal disliked and feared by many people, the wild animals living in the cities of North America remind urban dwellers of the richness and diversity of the natural world and the complex systems of life existing alongside human society.
Canada Goose Family
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