I Have a Safari Park

  Chapter 423 Urban Animals

  "City animals?"

Fang Ye explained: "Well, we are currently preparing to set up a farmland exhibition area to let visitors understand the ecosystem in the farmland, know where their food comes from, and how to grow the food that is environmentally friendly. These are the contents. I plan to build a corresponding urban animal exhibition area. The theme is probably how humans and animals coexist. Can you provide some examples of this?"

Wang Yan nodded and expressed his understanding. After thinking about it, he preached: "Urban animals are very interesting. They are completely different from wild animals in the countryside. I remember going to Chicago about six or seven years ago when I traveled to Chicago and lived near the Botanical Garden. My friend said excitedly, you might see 1242 when you live here."

   "1242?"

   "1242 is a coyote, a Coyote, I saw him the first night I lived.

  He walked past a construction site. The construction site was lit with lights and flashing warnings, but 1242 looked very relaxed and seemed to have fully adapted to the urban environment.

But soon we started to see him during the day, and I was very puzzled. The staff in Chicago told me very seriously, Wang, you are here at the right time. Maybe we are witnessing the occurrence of the coyote represented by 1242. A new change, from nocturnal to daily.

Because 1242’s spouse, 1244, was shot and killed by the residents when he broke into a resident’s backyard two weeks ago. However, 1242 and 1244 were raising a litter of offspring together, and he could not provide food for the coyotes. Not only did he go out for food at night, he also began to move out during the day, and we have just witnessed this rapid change in the past few days.

Then we tracked the video and data of the coyote from this researcher, and found that the coyote would watch the traffic lights in the city. He knew that when the pedestrian passage turns to the green light, it is safe to pass. It can pass in front of the car in a swaggering manner. Knowing where there is danger, where there is food, what kind of dog can provoke and which can’t, the staff told us that we are always underestimating the coyote’s ability to adapt to the city. The coyote is constantly refreshing our understanding.

  There is a long and narrow green belt around the lake along Lake Michigan, 1242 he can walk through the entire city along the green belt around the lake, and then go deep into the city center in a place with better greening and safer.

   About 20 years ago, there were no coyotes in Chicago, but when I passed by, there were already more than 1,200 coyotes in this forest, and their distribution continued to expand.

  They use public transportation, they look very united and are very cruel to their prey, but their discipline is not to hurt people.

  In the past, people thought that coyotes didn't exist and couldn't stay. They all arrived.

People used to think that a coyote lived alone, but now there is a special behavior, that is, the coyote does not find a large habitat. The parents will allow it to live with them and provide a little help. The brothers and sisters will not Disperse quickly, and there is a stage of unity and cooperation. "

  Fang Ye heard it very interestingly: “So after entering the city, the behavior of the coyote also changes rapidly with the city to adapt to the life of the city.”

  Wang Yan took a sip of water: “Yes, not only behavior, but even physiology will change. This year, there is an interesting study on foxes in the UK. They found that red foxes living in British cities turned themselves into dogs.”

   Fang Ye was a little confused: "What does it mean to become a dog?"

Wang Yan smiled and said, "That means that the size of the red fox is getting smaller. There is a gap between the size of male and female foxes. Male foxes are stronger and more aggressive. But in cities, male and female foxes have already grown in size. It's hard to tell.

  The original pointed fox ears turned into round ears, and even pulled down, and began to approach the appearance of the dog, and their size and aggressiveness were declining.

  The sharp beak of the fox itself is used to catch food, but in the city, it slowly becomes a short round mouth, which looks more cute and more suitable for picking up garbage and human food. "

   Fang Ye heard her heart shake: "It's incredible, the speed of evolution is too fast."

  Wang Yan said: "Yes, once animals adapt to urban life, there will be a very rapid evolution.

There is also a study on black-lined voles in the previous two years. Originally, the researchers thought that voles live in cities. There may be so many cats, lights, and various cars coming and going. They may not survive very well. , Is a very nervous state.

  But actual research has found that voles are actually very comfortable and relaxed. Its stress hormone, stress hormone, is significantly lower than that of voles in the field.

  If you stoke a field vole or give a slight electric shock, it will be very panicked, eating and sleeping, and the rhythm of life will be affected, but the city vole does not matter.

  Its immune system, endocrine, hormone regulation, and response to external stimuli are all made more resilient due to changes in urban life. "

   Fang Ye heard a familiar feeling, and said a little bit amused: "Isn’t this just lying flat now? It’s better to live a little easier than to be exhausted."

  Wang Yan also smiled: "There are indeed many similarities. This is also a kind of adaptability shown by humans."

Fang Ye earnestly said: "Like coyotes and red foxes, what you said is that they run in with the city and change themselves to adapt to the city. Are there any positive things that we humans take the initiative to make changes?"

  Wang Yan showed a look of emotion: "The monarch butterfly is an example that I am more impressed~www.readwn.com~ Fang Ye raised his eyebrows: "Oh, the monarch butterfly! "

  The monarch butterfly should be the most famous butterfly in the world!

  Black wings, orange wings, not only the appearance is beautiful, but also very spectacular when migrating, which can be said to be overwhelming. When I was young, I often saw monarch butterflies in documentaries.

Wang Yan said: "Americans especially like monarch butterflies, they like to raise monarch butterflies and watch them. However, in the past 20 years, the population of monarch butterflies has dropped by 80%, and the number has dropped sharply. Monarch butterflies are directly vulnerable. Even on the verge of endangerment, according to this trend, it may become extinct within a few decades."

Fang Ye couldn't help but sighed slightly.

   "People have discovered that the reasons for their rapid decline are the increasing temperature, destruction of habitats, and the massive use of pesticides and herbicides, as well as the US government's inaction in the management of highways along the coast.

  However, it is difficult to make this kind of change to promote the government, promote the transportation department, and let them establish laws and regulations on pesticides and herbicides. "

  (End of this chapter)