For much of modern history, cities were viewed as landscapes hostile to wildlife.

Concrete replaced forests. Roads fragmented habitats. Artificial lights transformed the night, while constant human activity appeared to leave little room for wild animals to survive. Yet many species have not simply endured urban expansion—they have adapted to it in extraordinary ways.

Among the most successful are coyotes and raccoons.

Once associated primarily with forests, deserts, grasslands, and rural landscapes, these remarkably intelligent mammals now live in some of North America's largest metropolitan areas. They hunt beside highways, raise young beneath abandoned buildings, navigate traffic, exploit human waste, and alter their behavior to avoid people with surprising sophistication.

Their success is not accidental.

It is the result of flexibility, learning, and evolution working together in one of the fastest-changing environments on Earth.

Rather than seeing cities as obstacles, coyotes and raccoons increasingly treat them as ecosystems filled with new opportunities.

What Is Urban Wildlife?

Urban wildlife refers to animals that live within or regularly use human-developed environments such as:

• Cities
• Suburbs
• Residential neighborhoods
• Industrial zones
• Urban parks
• University campuses
• Golf courses
• Railway corridors
• Stormwater systems

Some species merely tolerate cities.

Others become true urban specialists, completing their entire life cycle within metropolitan environments.

Coyotes and raccoons belong to this second category in many parts of North America.

Why Some Animals Thrive While Others Decline

Urbanization does not affect every species equally.

Animals most likely to succeed often share several characteristics:

• Flexible diets
• High intelligence
• Strong learning ability
• Generalist habitat preferences
• High reproductive potential
• Curiosity
• Behavioral adaptability
• Ability to tolerate human activity

Specialized species often struggle because their food sources, nesting sites, or migration routes disappear.

Generalists can simply change their behavior.

Coyotes and raccoons are among the world's best ecological generalists.

Coyotes: North America's Ultimate Urban Predator

The coyote (Canis latrans) once occupied mainly grasslands and open habitats in western North America.

Over the past century, however, its range has expanded dramatically.

Today coyotes inhabit:

• Chicago
• Los Angeles
• New York City
• Toronto
• Vancouver
• Phoenix
• Dallas
• Washington, D.C.
• Atlanta
• Numerous smaller cities

Researchers from the Urban Coyote Research Project have documented stable coyote populations throughout the Chicago metropolitan area, demonstrating that large carnivores can successfully coexist with millions of people.

Why Coyotes Are So Successful

Coyotes succeed because they are extraordinarily adaptable.

Unlike predators that rely on a single prey species, coyotes eat almost anything available.

Their diet may include:

• Rabbits
• Rats
• Mice
• Squirrels
• Birds
• Insects
• Fruits
• Berries
• Carrion
• Human food waste

This flexibility allows them to exploit seasonal resources throughout the year.

Learning Human Schedules

One of the most remarkable urban adaptations is behavioral timing.

GPS studies show that urban coyotes become significantly more nocturnal than rural populations.

Instead of moving during the day, they often travel:

• Late at night
• Before sunrise
• During quiet early mornings

This reduces encounters with people while allowing access to roads, parks, and neighborhoods.

Some individuals even appear to recognize patterns in human activity, adjusting movement according to traffic volume and pedestrian use.

Using Human Infrastructure

Coyotes frequently use features created by humans as travel corridors.

These include:

• Railway lines
• Drainage canals
• Riverbanks
• Utility corridors
• Greenbelts
• Golf courses
• Park systems

Rather than crossing busy roads randomly, many individuals repeatedly use underpasses and culverts.

Research suggests that some coyotes learn the safest crossing locations through experience.

Hunting Urban Prey

Cities contain abundant small mammals.

Rodents flourish around restaurants, warehouses, gardens, and waste facilities.

Coyotes help regulate these populations.

In many urban ecosystems, rats and mice form an important component of their diet.

Some studies suggest this natural predation provides ecological benefits by limiting pest populations.

Raccoons: Masters of Urban Problem-Solving

If coyotes are the adaptable hunters of the city, raccoons are its ingenious opportunists.

The common raccoon (Procyon lotor) possesses remarkable manual dexterity, curiosity, and memory.

Its front paws function almost like hands.

Combined with exceptional tactile sensitivity, raccoons can manipulate objects in ways unusual among wild mammals.

They routinely:

• Open latches
• Lift lids
• Climb fences
• Turn handles
• Remove coverings
• Explore containers

Urban environments reward exactly these abilities.

The Intelligence of Raccoons

Laboratory and field studies have demonstrated impressive cognitive abilities.

Raccoons can:

• Solve multi-step puzzles
• Remember solutions for months
• Learn through trial and error
• Adapt when conditions change
• Recognize successful strategies

Unlike instinctive behavior alone, much of their urban success appears to involve learning.

A raccoon that discovers how to open one type of garbage container often repeats the behavior elsewhere.

Garbage as an Ecological Resource

Human waste has transformed raccoon ecology.

Garbage bins provide:

• Calories
• Fat
• Protein
• Fruit
• Bread
• Meat scraps
• Pet food

Compared with seasonal natural food sources, household waste can offer predictable nutrition throughout the year.

Municipal wildlife managers therefore encourage residents to use wildlife-resistant garbage containers rather than leaving food easily accessible.

Climbing the Vertical City

Trees remain valuable habitat.

But raccoons readily substitute human structures.

They climb:

• Brick walls
• Fire escapes
• Drainpipes
• Utility poles
• Roofs
• Balconies
• Attics

Cities effectively create artificial forests of vertical surfaces.

For an agile climber, these structures greatly expand available habitat.

Behavioral Flexibility: The Secret to Urban Survival

Neither coyotes nor raccoons survive cities because they are stronger than other animals.

They survive because they change their behavior.

Behavioral flexibility includes:

• Altering activity times
• Changing diet
• Learning from experience
• Avoiding danger
• Exploiting new opportunities

This flexibility develops throughout life.

Young animals observe adults while also learning independently through exploration.

Urban Diets Are Surprisingly Diverse

Contrary to popular belief, neither coyotes nor raccoons depend entirely on garbage.

Studies examining scat and stomach contents consistently show mixed diets.

Urban coyotes often consume:

• Small mammals
• Fruits
• Insects
• Birds
• Deer carcasses
• Some human-associated food

Urban raccoons similarly combine:

• Crayfish
• Insects
• Eggs
• Fruit
• Nuts
• Amphibians
• Human food waste

Natural food remains important.

Garbage supplements rather than completely replaces traditional diets.

Artificial Light and Nightlife

Cities never truly become dark.

Artificial lighting changes animal behavior.

Many urban mammals exploit illuminated environments because lights attract insects and make certain prey easier to detect.

Others avoid brightly lit areas entirely.

Coyotes often move through darker corridors, while raccoons readily forage around illuminated residential areas if food is available.

Understanding how wildlife responds to light pollution has become an active area of urban ecology research.

Learning From Humans

Urban wildlife constantly observes people.

Animals may learn:

• When parks become quiet
• Which neighborhoods provide food
• Which dogs pose threats
• Which garbage days produce opportunities
• Where traffic is lighter
• Which humans are dangerous

Individual experience shapes future behavior.

This learning allows remarkable adaptability even without genetic change.

Evolution in the City

Behavioral learning occurs quickly.

Evolution acts across generations.

Scientists are increasingly studying whether urban environments influence natural selection.

Potential urban adaptations include:

• Greater tolerance of noise
• Reduced fear responses
• Improved navigation
• Altered breeding timing
• Smaller home ranges

Although evolution proceeds gradually, cities create powerful selection pressures.

Animals best suited to urban life leave more offspring.

Coyotes and Human Conflict

Despite their adaptability, conflicts sometimes occur.

Most involve:

• Outdoor pet food
• Unsupervised pets
• Habituated coyotes
• Intentional feeding

Experts emphasize that healthy coyotes naturally avoid people.

Feeding wildlife removes that fear and increases conflict risk.

Simple preventive measures include:

• Securing garbage
• Keeping cats indoors
• Supervising small dogs
• Removing food attractants
• Never intentionally feeding coyotes

Raccoons and Human Conflict

Raccoons may enter:

• Attics
• Chimneys
• Garages
• Crawl spaces

These conflicts usually arise because buildings provide warm, sheltered denning sites.

Property owners can reduce problems by:

• Sealing entry points
• Trimming branches
• Securing garbage
• Removing pet food overnight

Humane exclusion is generally preferred over lethal control where appropriate and permitted.

Are Urban Animals Becoming Smarter?

This question remains an active area of research.

Scientists distinguish between:

• Individual learning
• Behavioral flexibility
• Evolutionary intelligence

Urban animals are not necessarily evolving higher intelligence.

Instead, intelligent individuals often perform better in cities.

Their learning ability allows them to solve unfamiliar challenges repeatedly throughout life.

Ecological Benefits

Urban predators and scavengers contribute valuable ecosystem services.

Coyotes may help regulate:

• Rodents
• Rabbits
• Canada geese in some areas
• Small pest populations

Raccoons contribute through:

• Seed dispersal
• Insect consumption
• Nutrient recycling
• Carrion removal

Although conflicts receive media attention, these animals also perform important ecological functions.

Challenges They Still Face

Cities remain dangerous environments.

Major threats include:

• Vehicle collisions
• Disease
• Poisoning
• Habitat fragmentation
• Rodenticides
• Plastic waste
• Human persecution

Road mortality remains one of the leading causes of death for many urban mammals.

Can Humans and Urban Wildlife Coexist?

Most wildlife biologists believe coexistence is possible.

Successful coexistence depends upon:

• Responsible waste management
• Public education
• Habitat connectivity
• Humane conflict prevention
• Scientific monitoring

Rather than eliminating wildlife from cities, many communities now focus on reducing unnecessary conflict while recognizing the ecological value of native species.

Lessons From Urban Wildlife

Coyotes and raccoons remind us that nature is remarkably resilient.

Cities may appear entirely artificial, yet ecological processes continue beneath bridges, behind shopping centers, along railway corridors, and inside neighborhood parks.

Adaptation does not always require untouched wilderness.

Sometimes it occurs in parking lots, storm drains, rooftops, and suburban backyards.

These animals demonstrate that survival often depends less on strength than on flexibility.

They learn.

They observe.

They change.

And in doing so, they reveal that even our most human-dominated landscapes remain part of the natural world.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is urban wildlife?

Urban wildlife refers to wild animals that live in or regularly use cities and suburban environments.

Why are coyotes successful in cities?

They have flexible diets, high intelligence, adaptable behavior, and quickly learn to avoid people while exploiting available food.

Why are raccoons considered intelligent?

Raccoons possess excellent memory, problem-solving abilities, and highly dexterous front paws that allow them to manipulate complex objects.

Do coyotes mainly eat garbage?

No. Most urban coyotes still consume substantial amounts of natural prey such as rodents, rabbits, birds, and fruit.

Why are coyotes mostly seen at night?

Urban coyotes shift toward nocturnal activity to reduce encounters with humans.

Can raccoons open garbage bins?

Yes. Their dexterous paws and problem-solving abilities allow many raccoons to open poorly secured containers.

Are urban coyotes dangerous to humans?

Attacks on humans are extremely rare. Healthy coyotes generally avoid people unless they become habituated through feeding or other inappropriate human behavior.

Why shouldn't people feed urban wildlife?

Feeding reduces natural wariness, increases conflict, and can create unsafe situations for both animals and people.

What ecological benefits do coyotes provide?

They help control populations of rodents and other small mammals while functioning as important urban predators.

How can homeowners reduce wildlife conflicts?

Secure garbage, remove outdoor food sources, supervise pets, seal entry points to buildings, and avoid intentionally feeding wild animals.