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City Critters

Wildlife in the Urban Jungle
Community comment are the opinions of contributing users. These comment do not represent the opinions of Vancouver Public Library.
Nov 20, 2013
Far from the oceans’ depths, the wild animals featured in Nicholas Read’s City Critters live right in our own cities and towns, and even in our backyards. Why do some animals choose to live in urban areas? Where exactly do they live, and how do they manage to survive? While some creatures such as raccoons and squirrels are attracted to the abundant sources of food in cities, the sad truth is that many animals and birds don’t “choose” to live among people. They have little choice because wilderness habitats around the world are quickly disappearing with urban sprawl and deforestation. Some animals - chipmunks, squirrels, skunks and raccoons, among others – have proven to be remarkably adaptable to urban life, living in parks, golf courses and backyards. Rivers and harbors also shelter a surprising diversity of creatures, including otters, waterfowl, fish, turtles and even large sea creatures such as seals and dolphins. Nicholas Read’s well-researched, informative book addresses the causes of and solutions to conflicts between people and city-dwelling wildlife. Complete with interesting anecdotes of human-animal encounters and captivating photography, City Critters reminds us that we share our world with many other creatures – and that urban areas can play an important role in preserving biodiversity.