Wild Animal Neighbors: Sharing Our Urban World

by Ann Downer Narrated by Intuitive

Overview

What would you do if you found an alligator in your garage? Or if you spotted a mountain lion downtown? In cities and suburbs around the world, wild creatures are showing up where we least expect them. Not all of them arrive by accident, and some are here to stay. As the human population tops seven billion, animals are running out of space. Their natural habitats are surrounded-and sometimes even replaced-by highways, shopping centers, office parks, and subdivisions. The result? A wildlife invasion of our urban neighborhoods.

What kinds of animals are making cities their new home? How can they survive in our ecosystem of concrete, steel, and glass? And what does their presence there mean for their future and ours? Join scientists, activists, and the folks next door on a journey around the globe to track down our newest wild animal neighbors. Discover what is bringing these creatures to our backyards-and how we can create spaces for people and animals to live side by side.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"Downer profiles eight species of animals that frequently come into contact with urban or suburban humans and explores the reasons why their territories overlap with humans, the problems that result, and the efforts being made to solve those problems. The animals profiled (raccoon, mountain lion, coyote) are mostly found in North America, but a look at jungle crows in Japan and gray-headed flying foxes in Australia offers some international fare as well. The content holds obvious appeal, and Downer's presentation is clear and engaging. The story of Adrian, a coyote who wandered into a Chicago Quizno's sub shop will intrigue rural and urban kids alike, as will the account of twenty-one alligators being caught in a ten-day span in a town in Texas after flood conditions encouraged the gators to become more active in their movements. Some of the book's design is a bit clunky, but the illustrative photos are crisp and well chosen, while large sidebars highlight vital statistics and other valuable tidbits about each species. An epilogue and map in the back point to other significant urban wildlife situations; source and photo notes, bibliographies, and an index are also included in this useful and thought-provoking book that will prove to be a hit with city-dwelling animal lovers and wannabe wildlife scientists." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Kirkus Reviews

2013-10-01
Wild animals are increasingly sharing human urban and suburban spaces around the world. Using the examples of black bears, raccoons, mountain lions, coyotes, turtles and alligators in this country, crows in Japan and flying foxes in Australia, along with plentiful photographs, this title introduces some surprising wildlife neighbors. Downer, the author of Elephant Talk (2011), clearly explains how these animals have come into our backyards. Often, it's because we came into theirs. Sometimes, it's because we've provided easy food pickings and appealing places to live. Informational sidebars give additional facts about each species, explain some ways they've adapted to a human world, and make further connections between the animals (and their problems) and our own lives. An early double-page aerial photograph of New York City serves as a background for identifying the parts of a city ecosystem that attract wildlife, and a world map toward the end shows the locations of other urban wildlife problems. An epilogue suggests measures humans can take to help our species coexist with theirs. The busy, colorful design sometimes makes it difficult to follow the narrative thread, but the effort is worthwhile. Ample documentation and further resource suggestions will help readers wanting to know more. An unusual issue set forth clearly and concisely for middle school and high school readers. (index) (Nonfiction. 10-15)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171884864
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	01/01/2017
Series:	Nonfiction - Grades 4-8
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

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