"Urban animals?"

Fang Ye explained: "well, recently, we are preparing to set up a farmland exhibition area to let tourists know the ecosystem in the farmland, where their food comes from and how to grow it. The food is environment-friendly. The theme is these contents. I also plan to build a corresponding urban animal exhibition area later. The theme is about how people and animals get along and coexist. Can you provide some examples in this regard? "

Wang Yan nodded to express his understanding, thought for a moment and said, "urban animals are very interesting. They are completely different from wild animals in the countryside. I remember a trip to Chicago about six or seven years ago. I lived near the botanical garden. My friend said excitedly, "you may see 1242 when you live here."

“1242？”

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

He walked past a construction site with lights on and warnings flashing, but 1242 looked very relaxed and completely adapted to the urban environment.

But soon we began to see him during the day. I wondered. The staff in Chicago seriously said to me, Wang, you came at a good time. Maybe we are witnessing a new change in the coyote represented by 1242, from nocturnal to diurnal.

Because 1242''s spouse 1244 was shot and killed by residents when he broke into a resident''s backyard two weeks ago. However, 1242 and 1244 are feeding a litter of offspring together, and they can''t supply the food of coyotes alone.

So he not only went out to look for food at night, but also began to move during the day. We just witnessed this rapid change these days.

Then we found that coyotes watch traffic lights in the city from the videos and materials tracked by this researcher. He knows that when the waiting passage becomes a green light, it is safe to pass through and can swagger through the front of the car. He also knows where there is danger, where there is food, what kind of dog can provoke and what kind of dog can''t provoke.

The staff told us that we are always underestimating the coyotes'' ability to adapt to the city. Coyotes are constantly refreshing our understanding.

Along Lake Michigan, there is a long and narrow green belt around the lake. In 1242, he can go through the whole city along the green belt around the lake, and then go deep into the city center in a better and safer place.

About 20 years ago, there were no coyotes in Chicago, but when I passed by, there were more than 1200 coyotes in this forest, and the distribution range was expanding.

They take advantage of public transport, look very united and are very cruel to their prey, but their discipline is not hurtful.

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

In the past, people thought coyotes lived alone, but now there is a special behavior, that is, coyotes did not find a large habitat. Their parents will allow them to live with themselves and provide some help. Their brothers and sisters will not disperse quickly. There is a stage of unity and cooperation. "

Fang ye heard it very interesting: "so when coyotes enter the city, their behavior changes rapidly with the city to adapt to urban life."

Wang Yan took a sip of water: "yes, not only behavior, but even physiology will change. There was an interesting study on foxes in Britain this year. 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 said with a smile, "that is to say, the size of the red fox is getting smaller. There is a gap between the male fox and the female fox. The male fox is stronger and more aggressive. But in the city, male and female foxes are difficult to distinguish from each other in size.

Originally, the sharp fox ears turned into round ears and even drooped. They began to approach the appearance of dogs, and their size and aggressiveness were declining.

The sharp mouth of the fox itself is used for predation, but in the city, it gradually becomes a short round mouth. It looks more lovely and more suitable for picking up garbage and human food. "

Fang ye heard the inner shock: "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 the black line vole in the previous two years. Originally, the researchers thought that the vole may live in the city. There may be so many cats, lights and all kinds of cars coming and going. It may not survive very well, but it is a very nervous state.

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

If you poke a field vole or give a slight electric shock, it will be very panic, eat and sleep, and the rhythm of life will be affected, but it doesn''t matter if you poke a city vole. Poke it. What should I do.

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

Fang ye heard a familiar feeling and said with some laughter, "isn''t this lying flat now? It''s better to live with ease than to be tired. "

Wang Yan also smiled: "there are indeed many similarities. This is also a kind of adaptability shown by human beings. "

Fang ye said seriously, "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 change?"

Wang Yan showed a look of emotion: "the emperor butterfly is an example that impressed me deeply."

Fang Ye raised his eyebrows and said, "Oh, Emperor butterfly!"

Emperor butterfly should be the most famous butterfly in the world!

With black wings and orange wings, it is not only beautiful in appearance, but also very spectacular when migrating, which can be said to be overwhelming. When I was a child, I saw the figure of emperor butterflies in documentaries.

Wang Yan said: "Americans especially like monarch butterflies. They like raising monarch butterflies and watching them. However, in the past 20 years, the population of monarch butterflies has decreased by 80%, and the number has decreased sharply. Monarch butterflies are directly on the edge of being vulnerable or even endangered. According to this trend, they may become extinct in a few decades."

Fang Ye sighed slightly.

"People have found that the reasons for the sharp decline in their number are not only the rising temperature, the destruction of habitat, the extensive use of pesticides and herbicides, but also the inaction of the U.S. government in Highway Coastal Management.

However, it is difficult to push the government and the transportation department to establish laws and regulations on pesticides and herbicides. "